In my ‘split’ life as arts therapist/ coach/ teacher/ artist, I am a grand juggler and I thrive on being actively engaged in life and art. My work can be intense, and being a creative person and a business owner doesn’t come without sacrifice. I have to be diligent about my self-care to maintain my stamina. This was especially true during the pandemic. In early 2020, in addition to my practice and teaching, I was at the tail end of a long creation phase with a documentary film, The Creative High. I started to see very clearly that stress was taking its toll. I could feel it in my body, my focus, and in my mood.

After so many years in recovery and being in the healing profession, I know that slowing things down and bringing in more support is mandatory to do what I do. This is what I committed to six months into the pandemic – I bumped up my support team increasing the admin hours for my business, starting therapy again, and began working with a holistic health practitioner regularly. It made all the difference to lean into others, and took some of the pressure off. This gave me the release valve I needed to be present for myself, my clients, students, and to reach the finish line with my documentary.

It’s okay to struggle but we don’t want our pursuits to take us down. As artists and creative people, anxiety management and prioritizing both mental and physical health is necessary to keep expanding into the work we are passionate about.

Where are the gaps in your support system?

What else needs your attention so you can move through the fear, stress, or overwhelm that block your creative growth?

Feel free to shoot me an email if you are feeling stuck or at your edges with your life/art work. I’ll send you an ‘art cure’ or some gentle encouragement in return.