In this episode, Josh reflects on what it means to keep creating when the audience is small or silent. He talks openly about the anxiety of watching metrics, refreshing stats, and questioning whether the effort is worth it when the numbers do not immediately reflect the work.

The conversation explores why writing and creating still matter even when they are not paying the bills, and how creative work can live on long after it is published. Josh shares personal examples of older blog posts continuing to reach people years later, reinforcing the idea that meaningful work is not always meant for instant consumption.

This episode also touches on:

Creating as an outlet rather than a transaction

The emotional weight of comparison and self doubt

Focusing on controllable actions instead of outcomes

Building evergreen work instead of chasing trends

Finding fulfillment in the act of creating itself

Josh also briefly discusses his upcoming book, A New Set of Eyes, a thoughtful guide to creating with AI while maintaining your personal voice.

If you are writing, creating, or building something in a quiet season, this episode is a reminder that the work still matters.

Website: booksbyjosh.com

Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

In this episode of The Books By Josh Audio Immersion, Josh talks about the kind of progress that rarely gets celebrated — the small wins that quietly move us forward.

As the year comes to a close, it’s easy to feel like you didn’t accomplish enough. But real progress doesn’t always look like a big milestone or a finished product. Often, it’s found in the small steps: showing up, starting, learning, and continuing even when results aren’t visible yet.

Josh shares personal examples from writing a 50,000+ word book, building creative projects one step at a time, and learning why focusing only on the finish line can actually slow you down. The episode explores how breaking goals into smaller, trackable actions helps build momentum and keeps you moving forward.

You’ll also hear a shoutout celebrating a small win from someone Josh knows — the launch of ReliveInColor.com, a creative site where you can upload your own photos to create printable custom coloring pages or even a custom puzzle. (Not sponsored — shared because it fits the theme of building something and putting it into the world.)

Key Takeaways

• Small wins matter because they prove you’re still moving

• Progress is usually quiet and hard to see while it’s happening

• Focusing only on the end goal can kill momentum

• Breaking big goals into smaller steps makes them achievable

• Consistency beats intensity over time

Listener Challenge

Pick one small win from today. Say it out loud. Write it down. Let it count — and don’t downplay it.

Links & Resources

• Friend’s project: https://reliveincolor.com/#/

• More episodes & writing: https://booksbyjosh.com

• Support the show (optional): https://buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

Episode 91 – The Books by Josh Audio Immersion

In this episode, Josh opens up about navigating the holiday blues in 2025 and shares the real-world strategies he’s using to stay balanced during a tough season. From blasting synthwave and metal, to escaping into fiction, to taking long reflective walks through New York City, Josh walks through the outlets that help him manage stress and stay grounded.

He also discusses background noise as a focus tool, using small fidget toys for anxiety, and why he tries to lean toward healthier coping methods instead of destructive ones—especially when the end-of-year pressure starts stacking up.

Whether you’re dealing with holiday stress yourself or simply want to hear different ways people manage this season, this episode offers a relatable, honest look at how to take things one day at a time.

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✨ What We Cover in This Episode

• What the “holiday blues” really feel like

• How life stress and year-end pressure overlap

• Why music is a powerful emotional outlet 🎵

• How reading fiction becomes an escape and reset 📚

• The benefits of long walks around NYC 🚶‍♂️

• Using noise and conversation for comfort ☕

• Fidget items and other small tools for anxiety

• Healthy vs unhealthy coping strategies

• Taking the season day-by-day without guilt

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🎧 Mentioned in This Episode

• Synthwave artists: The Midnight, Gunship, FM-84

• NYC walks: 59th Street Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Central Park

• Other podcasts by Josh: Tek With Josh, Manga With Josh

• Signed books available at BooksByJosh.com

• Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/booksbyjosh

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📝 About the Podcast

The Books by Josh Audio Immersion is where Josh shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and practical insights on life, growth, creativity, and everything in between.