State of the Studio Address // an honest look behind the scenes

Hello dear listener! Before we begin, would you please rate and review this podcast? TY BB!

This episode of going to be a bit raw and real. A lot has evolved in the studio since we last talked.

• I've hired a whole new team (including my husband!).
• We are continuing the things that work while doing our best to weave sustainability into the productivity.
• My creative practice has ebbed and flowed and I'll bring you behind the scenes on that process.
• I'm opening the doors to The Creative Maven Mastermind tomorrow (October 21st)! I am SO EXCITED about offering this year-long mastermind again. If you are craving a space to nourish your dreams, grow your business, and step into greater success, then apply to join us! Applications are open for just under a month.
• Traveling, resting, working on health...

Last summer we talked about burnout (episode 41, August 30th 2020) and the process of healing from Burnout has been slow and constant. A metaphor came to me while expressing how this process feels that I think is helpful.

Our journey happens within a beautiful mountainous landscape. There are meadows, cliffs, valleys... When you "burn out" you are, essentially falling over the edge of a cliff -- you might fall incredibly far or just a few feet. The recovery time may look different depending on how far you fall and how much energy you have to tap into. Climbing back up the mountainside is just part of the healing process.

The other part is a bit sneaker. We know that falling over the cliff is less than ideal - right? that makes sense. However, we tend to flirt with danger just a bit. Maybe it's the hustle culture. Maybe it's the stack of shoulds and "musts" consistently in our orbit. Maybe it's poor habits formed early... regardless, learning that hovering near the edge of that cliff is not a sustainable way to live. I like to be close to that edge. I like the pace of it, the energy required, the "effort" of it all -- however, health (mental, physical, emotional, relational health) is not possible when near the cliff. People can't come near you. You can't make one wrong move. There is too much at risk.

My focus for 2021 and 2022 is learning to take consistent steps away from the cliff edge and into the safe and gentle spaces of the meadow where I can dance and sing and create without risk or fear. Where there is space to move and take bolder actions because the risks are less extreme if they fail. There are a lot of layers to HOW we can do that as profitable entrepreneurs (we can't just play all day -- though that would be lovely).

Practically, this means hiring a team, establishing boundaries around my energy, setting expectations, being a bit more flexible/generous with deadlines and timelines, and (most importantly) respecting myself enough to care for myself.

If you can resonate with this, you are in good company. We can grow and progress together -- away from the cliff. Just back away from the cliff a little more each day. We can do this. ;)

2020-21 has been exhausting. We're doing so, so well. Now it's time to allow a little ease and healing into our lives.

This is important because when we are nourished we are able to create good and nourishing work. Let your work be big and bold in the world, dear Creative!

LINKS:

• The Creative Maven Mastermind (applications open tomorrow!)
• The Collective: a membership for Creatives Entrepreneurs
• The Collector's Club (for first dibs on the new studio holiday products)!