What’s On My iPad Mini: My Digital Sketchbook, Business Hub & Self-Care Companion

When people think about productivity devices, they often imagine spreadsheets, endless emails, and work.

My iPad Mini is a little different.

For me, it’s part creative studio, part business headquarters, part inspiration board, and part self-care toolkit.

It’s where many of the ideas for AbbyJuli.com, AbbyJuliDiaries.com, and CozyPawsandTails.com begin.

My Main Home Screen: A Snapshot of What Matters Most

If the folders show how I organize my life, my main home screen shows what I want to see every day.

The first thing you’ll notice is the floral wallpaper. Flowers, butterflies, and soft colors help create a calming environment that feels cozy and welcoming every time I pick up my iPad.

At the top, I keep practical widgets for:

* Weather updates

* Calendar events

* The current time

These help me stay grounded and organized throughout the day without feeling overwhelmed.

Positive Reminders

Two affirmations live on my home screen:

“Don’t forget to imagine the best-case scenario too.”

“I am doing the best I can with what I have.”

As someone who struggles with anxiety, it’s easy to focus on everything that could go wrong.

These reminders encourage me to pause and remember that good outcomes are possible too.

They also remind me that perfection isn’t required.

Doing my best is enough.

Quick Access to Creativity

My most-used creative apps sit front and center:

* Affinity Photo 2

* Affinity Designer 2

* Canva

* Picsart

Four Folders That Represent My Life

At the bottom are four folders that summarize how I spend my time:

🎨 Create — Art, journaling, design, and creative expression.

🌿 Relax — Cozy games, coloring apps, and self-care activities.

💡 Inspire — Pinterest, ChatGPT, movies, and idea gathering.

💜 Business — Websites, blogs, print-on-demand shops, analytics, and everything that keeps my creative business running.

When I look at those four folders, I realize they represent the balance I’m constantly trying to create:

Create.

Rest.

Learn.

Build.

Why I Designed It This Way

I could fill my home screen with productivity apps and work tools.

Instead, I chose to create a space that supports both my creativity and my mental health.

Because the goal isn’t just to be productive.

The goal is to create a life that feels good to live.

And sometimes that starts with something as simple as opening an iPad and seeing reminders that encourage you to slow down, create, and be kind to yourself.

My Create Folder

This is where creativity lives.

Inside you’ll find:

• Procreate

• Pixlr

• Patternator

• Adobe Fresco

• Journal

• Happy Color

• INFINI

This folder is essentially my digital sketchbook.

It’s where I experiment with ideas, create artwork, design patterns, doodle, journal, and sometimes simply color when I need to relax.

Not every creative session turns into a finished project.

Sometimes creativity itself is the goal.

My Business Folder

This folder keeps my creative business running.

Inside you’ll find:

• PayPal

• Google Drive

• Google Docs

• Wix

• Printify

• WooCommerce

• Chrome

• Jetpack

• Search Console

• Facebook

• Zazzle

• Pretty Merch

• Amazon KDP

• Amazon Influencer

This is where blog posts are published, products are managed, websites are updated, analytics are checked, and new ideas become real products.

Many people only see the finished artwork.

This folder contains much of the behind-the-scenes work that helps make it possible.

My Inspire Folder

Every creative person needs a place to collect ideas.

Mine contains:

• ChatGPT

• Pinterest

• Tubi

Pinterest helps me gather inspiration.

ChatGPT helps me brainstorm blog ideas, journal prompts, product concepts, and creative projects.

Tubi may seem like an unusual addition, but stories, movies, and documentaries often inspire creativity in unexpected ways.

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere.

My Relax Folder

This folder reminds me that rest matters too.

Inside are cozy games and relaxing activities such as:

• Forest Island

• Disney Solitaire

• Tsum Tsum

• Flutter

• DecoLore

• Property Brothers

• Paradise Paws

• Coloring and puzzle games

As someone who lives with anxiety, I’ve learned that relaxation isn’t laziness.

It’s maintenance.

These small cozy games help me slow down, focus on something simple, and give my brain a break after a busy day.

The Affirmations On My Home Screen

Two things stand out on my home screen:

“Waking up each day and doing the best I can.”

“I chose not to tolerate unhealthy behavior.”

They’re simple reminders, but they’re important ones.

Some days success looks like creating something amazing.

Other days success looks like simply showing up and doing your best.

Both count.

My Evening Wind-Down Routine

My evening screen looks very different from my daytime setup.

Instead of business apps and creative projects, it focuses on slowing down.

I keep:

• Calm

• Mantra

• Cozy games

• Coloring apps

• Puzzle games

• Relaxing widgets

• Weather updates

• Inspirational quotes

  
  

When the day is done, I like to step away from work and spend time coloring, solving puzzles, or playing cozy games.

Forest Island is one of my favorites because it feels peaceful and calming.

Coloring apps allow me to be creative without worrying about perfection.

Sometimes I listen to a sleep story or meditation while I play.

It’s a simple routine, but it helps signal to my brain that it’s okay to rest.

More Than Just An iPad

Looking at my iPad Mini, I realize it’s more than a device.

It’s where I create.

It’s where I run my business.

It’s where I collect inspiration.

And it’s where I practice self-care.

In many ways, it’s a portable version of my life philosophy:

Create often.

Stay curious.

Work toward your goals.

And don’t forget to rest along the way.

Because creativity flourishes when we give ourselves permission to recharge. 💜