How She Creates Podcast

What do joy, generosity, belonging and fierceness look like? On my trip to Uganda I got to capture all of those intensely powerful emotions through my camera lens and today I want to tell you the stories behind some of the greatest photos I have ever taken. In today's episode, I'm sharing three stories, one about a boy who is no longer an orphan, one about a chicken and 30 fierce businesswomen and the last is about a traditional Ugandan wedding ceremony. This episode is full of joy and beauty and celebration. Listen in and hear my Stories From Uganda. If you would like to partner with an amazing mama and businesswomen in the Dokolo village, click here, choose 'Dokolo' from the dropdown menu, then let me know so we can celebrate big together and get you into our private group so you can meet these incredible women. https://www.aplos.com/aws/give/BeautyforAshesWorldwide/JoinOurVillage To learn more about Beauty for Ashes visit here: https://www.beautyforashesuganda.org/ For photos and shownotes visit: http:

In today's episode Instagram expert, Sara Tasker from Me and Orla, is uncovering truths with us as to how we use Instagram as creatives. Instagram is a great source of inspiration and of pain in our creative journeys as artists, so how do we balance it and use it to support our creative goals without falling down a rabbit hole of scrolling and comparison? Sara is a champion at using Instagram to build community and push her creativity to grow in new directions. In today's episode, she is sharing her views and strategies for curating our feeds, finding inspiration, dealing with negativity and the algorithm woes, managing comparison, and creating for ourselves instead of likes. Listen in for a fresh dose of creative inspiration that will stop your scroll and start your paintbrushes. For full show notes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-instagram-creativity-friend-or-foe-ep-404/ To join me for a creative art retreat sign up here: www.lauren-likes.com/retreats

Today, for our third installment of the Creative Kickstart Challenge, we are braving new territories! I have created a creative visualization exercise that will help you SEE what your creativity looks like - as a living, breathing force of life. We will meet and explore our creativity's galaxy where it lives, grows, expands, gathers energy and ideas. Then I'm going to encourage you to put that vision onto paper - you won't get it perfect, but this will give you a visual reminder of the life force of your creativity and inspire you to keep exploring its energy each day. For this episode, you need to be in a quiet space where you can close your eyes for about 15 minutes and have a notebook with you to jot down your vision as quickly as possible. Please share your creative galaxy with me by tagging me @laurenlikesblog and using the hashtag #howshecreatescreativekickstart For the ultimate creative kickstart join me for an art retreat here: http://lauren-likes.com/retreat For full show notes visit: http://www.la

For week 2 of our Creative Kickstart Challenge, we are diving into CREATING! Last week, we cleaned our space, got all our ideas out and planned a fun project to work on. Now, it's time to start creating. This week I have 5 challenges for you that will help you break your creativity out of a rut. The challenges are very varied so that no matter your preferred medium you will find a way to create with us and will push you to try some new things that may spark some fun new ideas for you. Simply listen in, set aside 15 minutes each day and let's make something together! Share your creations using the special hashtag #howshecreatescreativekickstart and get some inspiration from your fellow creators! Don't forget to tag me @laurenlikesblog so I can see your lovely work! Tune in next week for our final challenge. For shownotes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-creative-kickstart-challenge-#2/ For the ultimate creative kickstart join me for an art retreat here: http://lauren-likes.com/retreat

If your creativity needs a fresh start, today is the day it gets a kick in the pants! For the next 3 weeks, Ill be sharing daily creative challenges that will get you creating again in no time. This week Im sharing 5 super simple activities for you to do in 15 minutes or less that will help you get your creative space organized and ready for your next big idea. Listen in, grab the challenges and then join me on instagram @laurenlikesblog as we work through the challenges together each day and cheer one another on as we transform our art space from a creative wreck to a creative zen zone. Invite a friend, share your progress #howshecreatescreativekickstart and reignite that creative flame. Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenlikesblog/ For the ultimate creative kickstart join me for the UAE art retreat here: http://lauren-likes.com/dubai For shownotes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-creative-kickstart-challenge-#1/

Are you tired of playing the numbers games when it comes to setting BIG goals and then feeling a BIG letdown on January 3rd when you're already behind? Me too. 2019 was a year full of BIG things for me, job changes, big life decisions, new puppy, lots of heartaches and personal growth. This year, instead of making a list of numbers and accomplishments, I did some deeper, slower reflecting on what 2019 looked like for me. From assessing how I honored my values to what feelings I felt and creating art that represented it all, I compiled a list of journaling prompts to help you reflect on your year in a more holistic way and then a way to do the same to set 2020 up with more intention and heart. Listen in as I share how I approached these prompts and will guide you through them for yourself. I suggest listening to this episode as you have about an hour or more to journal, reflect and drink a glass of tea. See all the prompts here: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-how-to-reflect-on-your-year-ep-331/

How does a week on a beautiful island, totally alone with only your art supplies sound? Pretty magical right? But what if you wanted to turn the party up to 10 by bringing 9 other creative friends with you?! Which is better? Solo or group art retreats? Today Lauren and, our guest, Audree, are discussing the differences in these creative adventures, what you gain from each and how to create one for yourself - including getting your family on board. Plus! Lauren and Audree are putting their creative skills together to create the amazing next Radiant Art Retreat in their home country of the United Arab Emirates! If you'd like to spend a week on the beach riding camels, visiting museums, eating like a local and painting - then join us! Registration is open right now! Snag your spot here: http://lauren-likes.com/dubai and treat yourself to the creative adventure of a lifetime! For full shownotes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-solo-vs-group-art-retreats-ep-330/

Shayna Norwood is changing the conversation around mental health + creativity and is creating a way for you to take control of your personal mental health. In this episode she shares her story of how creativity and mental health go hand in hand for her, being a friend and a foe in her creative process. She shares how we can be more aware of when we are going too far down a path that leads to an unhealthy place for us and how we can turn back towards a place of creative joy instead of overwhelm and struggle. Shayna also shares tips for helping support others in our life who are going through a difficult time and how her mental health trackers are a simple way to gather the data you need to start recognizing your own patterns and emotions. Ps. Dont forget to use code YouAreNotAlone for 10% off to Steel Petal Press! For full shownotes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-creativity-+-mental-health-ep-329/

Want to be more grateful? Want to tell your story? Short on time or an idea of where to start? In 15 minutes today, you can be more grateful for your every day + document all the little bits that make it beautiful, messy, unique and yours. Today's episode is short and sweet and has a simple challenge that will help you be more grateful in just a few minutes using photos that are likely already on your phone. Listen in and get more grateful. Use the tag #storiesofgratitudechallenge to share your daily gratitude. Get the full + free gratitude challenge here: http://lauren-likes.com/gratitude Shop my course and journal sale here http://courses.lauren-likes.com/ For full show notes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-a-simple-gratitude-challenge-for-today-ep-328/

Why tell your story? So you can marinate in the joy soup of your life - that's why! Today Lauren is sharing why we need YOU to tell your story, how you can tell it well, and different ways to share your experiences based on your favorite hobbies. Listen in if you're ready for idea overload on ways to bring your story to life. Ps. Get the free photography + storytelling webinar and free gratitude prompts here: www.lauren-likes.com/gratitude For full show notes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-tips-for-telling-your-story-ep-327/

Early in 2019 I had a case of the blechs. I was going through a lot of transitions and personal struggles. I needed a change of perspectives and the 100 Day Project was the kickstart I needed. For 100 Days I took a photo of something beautiful in my day and then wrote about what I was grateful for. It was the perfect injection of joy in my life that I desperately needed. Listen in on today's episode to learn how I used this project to change my outlook on life to find more joy and celebrate it. Plus! I've created a free challenge for you called Stories of Gratitude. If you want to infuse more joy and seek out the beauty in your life simply follow the prompts I've created. Sign up for the free prompts + more support here: http://lauren-likes.com/gratitude For full shownotes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-developing-a-gratitude-practice/

Does the importance of your creative goals outweigh your attention to your personal health? In this interview, Dani Bruflodt discusses her creation of the Daily Page Planner. By including health and wellness practices into the planner, she encourages us to synthesize it into our daily routines, and value it as equally important. Sharing her own morning routine, Dani takes advantage of every element of the day to take care of herself and her creative projects. She also shares the importance of sustainability in her business model, focusing on the important role artists have to play in that. Dani gives excellent tips for artists to be more sustainable with their paper, and ways to organize your day in the most healthy and time-optimizing way. For full shownotes, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good:-ep-325-creating-good-through-paper-+-productivity/

Creativity can be born out of finding small ways to enhance the daily routines of our lives. In this interview, Elise Blaha Cripe shares tips from her new book, Big Dreams, Daily Joys. Elise encourages you to inject something interesting into the pockets of time you have, whether it's six minutes or six hours. She inspires you to plan for and take advantage of those moments, while still reminding you to reserve time for doing nothing, without guilt. She emphasizes the importance of allowing yourself to recharge your ideas and creative thoughts. Elise expresses the overall importance of intentionality in creativity, daily routines, and work. She loves to be challenged, seek out excitement, and allow that inspiration to expand her creativity. For full shownotes, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-ep-324-how-to-have-a-life-full-of-productivity,-joy-+-art/

What heals and resurrects you from the mundane? For Kim Lewis it’s the powerful tool of creativity. In this interview, Kim explains her work with ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and her many other community projects where she has used her gifts of interior design for good. Kim gives tips for you to use your creativity to do good, encouraging you not to be overwhelmed, but rather to focus on connecting and giving through your service and time. She claims our hands are meant to serve people and that we need to break out of our comfort zones to do so. She explains her own trials of getting out of her comfort zones, including her tiny home living. She tells you to let go of your fear of failure, and just have fun with your creative instincts. For full shownotes, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good:-ep-323-how-interior-design-can-create-good/

What is a creative adventure? Why is it good for your creativity? Do you have to actually leave the house to go on one? Do you have to take a year-long trip around the world? How can you create your own adventure that inspires new ideas for your artwork? In this episode, I am sharing how you can take an hour or a week to spend time soaking up the inspiration of the world around you and turning it into art. I share personal examples of everything I've learned from my travels and how they have influenced my art and I share how you can do the same. To go on a done for you, all inclusive creative adventure with me join me for the Radiant Art Retreat in October! But hurry because registration closes on September 25. Say yes to your creative adventure here: www.lauren-likes.com/retreat For full show notes from todays episode visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates:-ep-322-creative-adventures/

Do you value your intuition over perfection? In this interview, Lacy Young explains the development of her personal meditation practice and how it can enhance and deepen your creative process and overall well-being. By recognizing her needs during a time of great healing, she dove deep into meditative practice in order to tailor her work to her needs. She encourages us to lean into our imperfections, trust our intuition and remember that we are human. Lacy explains that meditation is a reset button, encouraging us to live from the heart rather than the head, and listening to our internal wisdom rather than the outside world. Say yes to a creative adventure today! http://courses.lauren-likes.com/radiant-art-retreats/ Registration closes September 25. Snag your spot before it's too late! For full shownotes, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good:-ep-221-using-meditation-to-deepen-your-creative-practice-with-lacy-young/

When our passions become so close to our heart, it may feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. Ashleigh Becker is not a stranger to this feeling. In this interview, she explains the way she uses her creativity to promote her generosity. She gave birth to her business, Sela Designs, in the nooks and crannies of the time she had to create. It was in these moments she realized how she could use her talents to make profound change. She explains that It's not just about jewelry, it's about teaching women we can use what's in our hands for good. She empowers you to think of your own skills and creativity to find a way to promote your generosity. To register for the Radiant Art Retreat visit: http://courses.lauren-likes.com/radiant-art-retreats/ Remember! Registration closes on September 25th. For full shownote, links and to connect with our guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good:-ep-320-radical-generosity/

Where does your creativity lead you? In this interview, Quinn Tempest explains how her thread of creativity led her to creating change in her community. Quinn explains how she continued to bring her creativity into the re-envisioning of her town into the best it could be. As someone who loves to create, Quinn emphasizes the importance of breaking down the creating process into steps to slow us down. Sharing a few of her tips she gives her clients, she encourages us to get out of our heads and into our hearts. She reminds us that we don't find our purpose, we uncover them. For shownotes, links and to take the Find Your Purpose Quiz visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good-ep-319-use-your-creativity-to-advocate-in-your-city/

How do you use your skills to benefit the world? For Whitney Herrod Khader it was using her ability to sew and design clothing to help others and create good. Through her work at Rapha House International and in her new business venture as a personal stylist, Whitney is constantly focusing on being unique, inspiring, and ethical through fashion. Whitney encourages you to think about where your clothes are coming from, and gives you her tips on how to wear clothes that best fit your body in the most ethical way possible. For shownotes and links to today's episode and guest visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-good-ep-318-whitney-of-rapha-house/

If you're feeling like your artwork is stuck, boring and not growing - then you may be stuck, sinking in the metaphorical creative mud - but never fear, I've got a helping hand that will pull you up and out and into the next phase of your artistic journey. In this episode, I'm sharing my own struggle with artwork that isn't lighting me up and how I'm tackling it to get back that creative fire. Full of practical tips and steps you can take, this episode is here to let you know you aren't the only one who feels this way and that, together, we can push our art into new territory - even if it means getting weird. If you are ready to inject a lightning bolt of energy into your artwork, then join me for the Radiant Art Retreat this October and together we'll light up our canvases. http://courses.lauren-likes.com/radiant-art-retreats/ For full show notes visit: http://www.lauren-likes.com/how-she-creates-ep-317:-what-to-do-if-you're-stuck-creatively/