The Ego, Creative Identity, and Tuning into a Healthy Balance

  The evolution of your creative identity is one of the most fun aspects of being human. You get to experiment, play and build something, over and over, in new ways. There are opportunities for healing through self-expression, and chances to bust out of a comfort zone and really test your potential.   On the flip side, you have an ego with basic human needs that wants validation, a sense of connection and safety.   To balance these forces within you takes a … [Read more...]

See and Love Yourself As a Creative Work in Progress

  In a world where decisiveness and clarity is highly valued, admitting you are a vulnerable, creative work in progress isn’t always encouraged or respected.   Yet, every single one of us is a creative work in progress, no matter how “together” and polished the exterior finish.   Toss in the added pressure of a self-imposed timeline, list of “shoulds” and perceived competition, the creative muse can seem like it has a specific maturity date, rather than serving as … [Read more...]

The Healing Power of Getting Clear on your Deepest Creative Truths

Can you list your creative truths? Are you clear on what you need to create and what can fall away? Do you honor the voice within and give it a creative outlet?   If not, it’s time to be really honest with yourself about what’s keeping you from tapping into the healing power of connecting with your deepest creative truths. Fear? Confusion? Or something bigger, like stepping into the freedom and power of owning your fullest self-expression?   In the process of discovering … [Read more...]

Creative Confusion and Finding your New Center

Creative confusion makes it easy to get stuck in your head, going in circles. Every option seems like the best choice, or, you think yourself out of every possible way forward so you stay right where you are.   Feeling creative confusion can also make it challenging to trust your intuition and emotions, enticing you to circle back and rely on the “facts” your brain presents to you. Yet, these “facts” are mixed up with ego, familiarity of past patterns and fears.   When the … [Read more...]

Listen to your Creative Calling, Even if it Feels Like you are Standing Alone

  The brave choice to follow your unique creative calling and step into your true self doesn’t always feel natural. It can seem like you are standing at the edge of a cliff, waiting to see if you can spot someone, anyone, who can possibly relate to where you’ve been and where you want to go.   At the same time, each person grows in nonlinear ways, taking leaps backward, forwards and sideways to follow a path that speaks to their truths, wounds to heal and lessons. As a … [Read more...]

Creativity and Little White Lies: Which Ones Are You Telling Yourself?

  It’s easy to take your natural creativity and skills for granted. As something that flows for you, there’s little risk and limited effort required to keep it going, and even less of a reason to put extra energy into it.   However, when natural aptitudes keep you in a plateau, operating at a status quo level, you are also protecting yourself from risk or judgment.   This is the spot where most people stay, kind of owning their creativity but not really willing to … [Read more...]

See Fear as an Invitation to Embark on a Creativity Deep Dive

  Creativity is an exploration of all that is, all possibilities, ideas and emotions, even fear.   As a creative being you sometimes misunderstand the power of your fears and what they can teach. You decide to create around them instead, practicing avoidance, shutting down your heart or putting away your dreams. A reaction like this limits so many aspects of your life, not just your creativity.   These behaviors may serve to protect the mind, giving you a sense that … [Read more...]

Boost your Creative Process by Embracing the “Cracks”

  At it’s core, the creative process is the ability to take ideas or concepts you are drawn to and combine them into a way to do anything. You can inspire, teach, heal, grow, play, connect with your purpose - the list is as long as the possibilities.   The creative process is also the ability to take disconnected ideas, frustrating situations and challenging relationships and turn them into something that does the exact - same - things.   How you use your gifts … [Read more...]

The Power of Playing with your Seasonal Creative Muse

  I think the creative muse within each of us has two types of seasonal cycles.   One falls in step with nature, bringing a new bundle of energy, sensations and weather conditions every three months. The other is more closely related to personal expansion and how your creativity and self expression change throughout your life. In a sense, you progress through “seasons” of challenge, growth, learning and embracing the “current you” while you allow the old one to fall … [Read more...]

Nurturing the Creative Spirit in the Face of Criticism and Self-Judgment

The essence of your creative spirit is eternal. It’s a natural flow that moves through you; an effortless presence that doesn’t require work...until you add in criticism and self-judgment.   These emotional and/or mental blocks take away the power of the creative spirit and all it offers, leaving you with doubt and fear of what’s ahead and all the ways it may change you or your life. It starts as a seed that quickly spreads to your view of everything, leaving you feeling anxious or … [Read more...]