It’s been a minute. Hi and hello!
Recently, I’ve been thinking about my creative practice or a lack thereof which has felt like a part of myself that’s missing. It honestly sparked writing this newsletter again.
The phrase “in progress" has come up a lot for me in conversation lately— realizing I am always a work in progress, in progress of becoming a therapist, a creative, and genuinely myself as a person. This felt like the right title to call the newsletter. I hope to cultivate conversation on mental health while learning alongside you as a newly practicing therapist. I also hope to hone in on our relationship with ourselves and our creativity. Ultimately, this space is for the ever-changing, growing person who is “in progress” which ideally is for everyone.
I realized my struggle with calling myself a “creative” when I recently signed up for Creative Lunch Club. It felt a little disingenuous to say that right now, as I am not a “creative” in my 9-5 and my creative hobbies have fallen to the wayside. At my core, I know I have always been a creative thinker, who expresses herself through many mediums through writing and in the way I show up in the world. I remember my imaginative spirit would get a hold of me when I was a child, and I’d make collages with my mom’s magazines and fill notebooks and notebooks with fictional stories. Even when I’m not creating, fostering creativity has always been an inherent part of who I am.
I love surrounding myself with inspired, curious thinkers who often call themselves “creatives” too. In my internship at a therapy private practice, I’m currently seeing clients who also see themselves as creatives or work in creative fields. This happened by happen-chance, but I realize how much I love working with creative professionals who are working towards an intentional, healthy and authentic relationship with themselves and their work.
The idea of being creative can be an important part of someone’s identity, but what happens when we feel stuck or in a creative rut? I truthfully don’t know, and I’m looking forward to learning and focusing on the topic in this newsletter. A colleague shared this quote from Ancestors Said about the topic recently.
The caterpillar can form its chrysalis when it stays still. The butterfly is only born after slow moments. Feeling stuck or stagnant can be the precursor for incredible change.
When we are still and in these slow moments, there is still growth happening internally. Feeling stuck may just be the catalyst for change, and to also think about parts of ourselves that are missing.
A few reflection questions
Here’s a playlist of some recent favorites that I update consistently, if you’d like to follow along and listen.
See you again soon, and grateful you’re here.
XO
Erica