The Unbound Creative

Are you the type of person who hears "enjoy the process" and it seems like a cliche?  You are not alone! We hear these things and know it's what we are "supposed to do," but doing is another story. How do we break the barriers to enjoying the process?  The answer lies in a mindfulness practice and through it, realizing the true medicine available through the act of making...

Often as creatives and artists, we think we need to put out the polished, perfect version of ourselves. If it's not perfect then we hold back and think we're not ready or we're not good enough. But the truth is, it's the humanity and the imperfection that makes us connect with others and their artistry! Valerie discusses her recent experience at a concert to demonstrate the hum...

The life of a creative is full of juxtapositions! One of the biggest juxtapositions is the idea of creating from a place of who you are, yet not getting your identity so wrapped up in it that it debilitates you. When you can release the pressure of your worth being tied to what you create, a whole new world of healing and beauty opens up. In this episode, Valerie covers two important mindset shift...

Does this sound familiar? You feel inspired and have all intentions of making art. Then suddenly, you remember you have “so much to do.” You block creating and chalk it up to not having enough time. I don’t believe that’s the real reason. It’s actually fear. In this episode, we explore how to tackle this issue of procrastination and discomfort head on so that you can experience the life-giving joy...

In today's episode I'm taking you inside our exclusive Facebook group in the Magic Makers Membership! We've been working through the book, The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. Every Friday, I've been going live to discuss portions of the book and it has been SO GOOD. I had to share this discussion with you!  I talk about.. how art is energy why creating needs to be an act of self-lo...

We've been going through The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron in my membership, The Magic Makers. I've been going live on our Facebook community each week to discuss each chapter of the 12-week journey. It has been incredible! This episode includes the audio from one of the Facebook lives.  It covers Week 7 in the Artist's Way and we talk a lot about overcoming perfectionism and j...

Many people talk about creativity or having a creative outlet as a stress-reliever. This can certainly be true, however, what happens when your creativity does just the opposite?  When you're stressed out about creating art and your body is sent into flight or fight mode?  It's something I think we need to talk about more. In this case, creativity becomes a poison, dripping cortisol into...

For the first time in decades, Billy Joel released new music. After listening to the single, I had so many thoughts. Thoughts about creativity, courage, pressure, and succumbing to the praise of others. I asked Mak to join me again on the podcast to have this spontaneous conversation! We talk about the universal fear of creatives, how to decipher your fear, how to build creative resilience, become...

Happy New Year! With a new year comes all the talk about setting goals and resolutions. There's a better way of tapping into what you desire and making it happen. It all boils down to the question: how do you want to FEEL? In this episode, we talk about letting yourself dream, how to discover what it is you really want, a new way to create a vision board, and a helpful, but simple exercise fo...

When life gets busy, art is often the first thing to go. I wish this wasn't the case, but what I do know is that heaping on guilt is not the answer! In this episode, I'm sharing a pep talk I recorded for those in my membership community. You'll find encouragement for when you're feeling frustrated and disconnected from your art, especially now as we near Christmas. Christmas sp...

I am thrilled to be joined on the podcast today by my friend, artist, creative entrepreneur, and coach, Chloe Minyon.  This candid and vulnerable conversation was part of a live virtual retreat held for members of my Magic Makers Membership! We discuss creative authenticity, how there's always more going on behind the scenes of creative businesses, the pressure of being a full-time artist, kn...

Here is the TikTok video! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT85hemvM/ We all want to be liked and validated. That is part of being human! Especially when it comes to something vulnerable like our art. But, the fact is, not everyone is going to like you. This is not only okay, it is normal. Not everyone is going to like you, but you don't like everyone! Some people aren't going to be able to see...

Have you ever heard the story about fleas in a jar? If you place fleas in a jar, they will jump out. If you add a lid to the jar, the fleas will try to escape at first, but eventually, they will stop trying. Even when the lid is removed, the fleas will still stay in the jar. They were trained to stay there. How often are we like the fleas? Perhaps you've allowed a comment that was said to you...

We all know the phrase "practice makes perfect," but I actually do not believe in this phrase! I think a truer statement is "practice makes familiarity." When you practice something, it becomes familiar. When something becomes familiar, then your brain registers it as safe.  Your brain has a funny way of taking the path of least resistance. The same thought patterns and emotion...

You set out to try something new, mustering the courage that it takes to try. You silenced your inner critic enough to do it and do it badly! A huge first step! But then, the weeks march on, the progress seems slower than expected. You feel the frustration and familiar feelings of self doubt and fear coming back to haunt you. Discouragement sets in. We’ve all felt its grip. The frustration may bec...

I’ve been fired up lately. It’s about this notion that creativity is frivolous or childlike. It is NOT.  Your creativity and artistic expression are vital. The world needs who you are when you are your lit-up, authentic self.  In this episode: The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck Join me for my next round of The Magic of Soft Pastel, a 6-Week LIVE online course experience. Sign up for the waitlist....

Today I’m sharing the one thing I believe is an instant game-changer in your life as well as your creative practice! You’ll learn the simple trick that will make a difference in how you feel and elevate the mundane, day-to-day. Because here's the thing: MOST of your life will be lived in the mundane moments. We have highs and lows sprinkled in between a collection of many mundane, simple mome...

Do you have those instances in your life where you look back on things you wanted so badly, but they didn’t work out? Maybe you’re breathing a sigh of relief (like me)! There are many times I’m grateful circumstances didn’t go the way I thought I wanted them to. But hindsight is 20/20. How do we let go of expectations and the desire to force the outcome in our present day when the story is yet to...

I had a realization about burnout and overwhelm. So much of my creative journey has been spent in these states. I would read books about productivity and time hacks. Tell myself I need better routines and to get up earlier in the morning. But the truth was, it wasn't that I wasn't productive, I was misaligned. It wasn't an issue with time, it was an issue of authenticity.  When we&a...

The angsty artist. It’s such a cliche, but for a good reason. Materializing something from your soul is gut-wrenching and fraught with reasons for angst. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! I want you to be able to create from a higher place of joy and peace! I believe there are two main blockers that if left unchecked, will keep you in a place of angst: people-pleasing (being worried about what...

I used to hear the phrase “don't play small” and think that meant chasing some grandiose dream or version of what society considers successful. But I've come to realize that playing small is actually what happens when you hold yourself back or tamp down who you really are. This can happen for many reasons: perfectionism, fear of being seen, needing approval, someone in your life making y...

The topic of authenticity has been chasing me it seems! It's a buzzword, I know, especially when it comes to showing up on social media. People have different versions of authentic, debating Instagram vs. Tiktok, filters vs. not, but authenticity can’t be tangibly defined. It can’t be quantified and bottled up. It is felt. There’s an energy that will connect or disconnect. There is strategy a...

I’ll be honest, there was a point in my career when I would hear about embracing the process, making a mess, loving the journey and I would think, “Yeah right. Who has time for that?” I had deadlines piling up; I was stressed and burnout. Do you struggle with embracing the process? This episode is for you. We are addicted to the idea of a successful outcome because our primitive brains want certai...

Have you ever been made to feel like the beauty you create is frivolous? I would argue it's just the opposite - that beauty is utterly necessary. Your beauty is necessary. My husband, Mak, joins me again this week as it turns out we had so much more we wanted to say about this topic! We talk about the importance of finding what lights you up, regardless of trends, and how to incorporate small...

Have you ever been made to feel like the beauty you create is frivolous? I would argue it's just the opposite - that beauty is utterly necessary. Your beauty is necessary. Beauty makes life worth living. It makes us feel alive! Sustenance for the soul. The world can never ever have too much beauty. It won't run out of space. We would never feel like there are already too many flowers or...