For episode 547, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we keep our photography both exciting and sustainable. Too often, we either make things so easy that we get bored, or we push so hard that we burn out. Somewhere in between is the sweet spot I like to call your creative “spice level.”

This idea came to me over Thai food. If you’ve ever ordered curry, you know how “medium spice” means something different everywhere. What’s mild for me might be scorching for you. Creativity works the same way. Too bland and you’re uninspired. Too spicy and you’re overwhelmed. The goal is finding that middle ground where you’re challenged enough to grow, but not so much that you want to quit.

For me, the first step is noticing my own thresholds. Some projects feel like a breeze, others feel impossible. Paying attention to my energy, when I’m excited to pick up the camera versus when I’m dragging my feet, helps me understand where I’m at. Your spice level is yours alone, and it’s not worth comparing it to anyone else’s.

Of course, it’s tempting to stay in that safe, comfortable zone. I call this being “efficiently lazy,” doing what’s familiar because it works. But real growth usually happens just beyond that. It might mean trying a new technique, shooting in a different genre, or tackling something you’ve been avoiding. Not so hard that it breaks you, but just enough to stretch.

One thing that helps me is writing it down. I’ll list out the areas of my practice, technical craft, vision, voice, and rate how easy or hard they feel right now. Seeing it on paper gives me perspective. It also reminds me that spice levels change. What feels overwhelming today might feel easy six months from now.

And because photography can be lonely work, I’ve learned not to do this in isolation. Sharing struggles with a friend, checking in with a community, or even sticking a reminder on the wall keeps me grounded when self-doubt creeps in.

So what’s your spice level right now? Maybe it’s a six, maybe a four. Wherever you are, notice it, adjust it, and trust that it will keep shifting as you grow. The magic really does happen in that middle ground, where you’re challenged, engaged, and still in love with the work.