242: The power of "what if"

As a creative coach, I have more than enough tools (too many probably!) to lean on when I lack motivation. But what turned the creative tables this week surprised me…so, of course, I wrote an episode about it! ;)   What helps you when you feel inexplicably disinterested and unmotivated? Tell me on IG.  Merideth's book: The Artist's Joy Become a Joyster and attend our "The Art of Not Finishing" on October 31st at 12PM EST (Costumes welcome!)  

This week on the podcast, I've got 5 essential principles that help when you're feeling discouraged about technique.    I name a powerful mantra I will repeat to myself and my coaching clients until I'm blue in the face. Plus, we'll explore what sustainably motivates us and discuss the necessity of good practice.    This one is full of practical tips and tricks from a seasoned musician and will apply to all artists, regardless of discipline. For you, I have loads of encouragement and compassion…and maybe some tough love, too.  Links: October Joyster Meet-Up: The Art of Not Finishing Read the essay about technique and craft "Music of the Logos" on Substack Book a coaching call with Merideth  Was this episode impactful? Tell us on IG. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts.  

This week's episode is a Joy Session, a recorded coaching call with Rachel, a writer and creative, awaiting the arrival of her first child. She shares her fears about losing her creative voice amidst new responsibilities and her desire to integrate her past creative self with her new chapter of motherhood. If you are struggling to balance creative dreams with life changes, or if you've ever feared the loss of your creative voice, this one is for you. We've got insights into shifting routines, finding flexibility, and nurturing one's creative self even in chaotic times. (And listen all the way to the end for an update on how Rachel is doing since her son was born!) Links:  Join the next Artist's Way Creative Cluster Support the podcast and become a Joyster on Patreon Learn more about private one-to-one coaching with Merideth Learn more about recording a Joy Session

This week we explore the power of "iffirmations" – positive statements prefaced with "what if" – as a way to navigate anxiety and foster hope, especially when traditional affirmations feel inauthentic. Through the lens of Ruth Duckworth’s mural “The Creation,” we name how even in the midst of uncertainty and chaos, embracing the creative, positive "what ifs" of life help us become agents of change in a broken world. Link: Join Let Art Be Light on Friday September 26th at 12PM Noon Eastern or grab the replay Buy Merideth’s book, “The Artist’s Joy” Learn more about one-to-one coaching with Merideth

This week on the podcast, we explore how to overcome creative blocks at the start and find your unique entry point into a project. This metaphor of "finding another way in" is useful when the traditional "front door" is locked. Listen for some reflective questions about navigating creative challenges that plague us all when we are just getting started.  Any Madeleine L'Engle fans out there? This episode is for you!  Links:  Substack poem: Communion Let there be light: September Joyster monthly meet up   

Today's episode was inspired by Glo Atanmo's quote, "Micro joys are how we survive macro grief." Listen for an invitation to shift your posture and practice joy as an act of resistance when life feels uncertain and full of grief. Links:  Joseph Cornell  Become a JOYSTER Join The Artist’s Joy Creative Cluster Subscribe to Artists for Joy Substack (new posts every-ish Wednesday) Glo Atanmo’s IG Cindie Speigel’s book about Microjoys Resources for artists' health and well-being

Season 6 debut! New season, new podcast cover art, new intro!  Listen for six things bringing me joy this season.  Links:    Slippers Become a JOYSTER Subscribe to Artists for Joy Substack (new posts every-ish Wednesday) Register for the next Artist's Joy Creative Cluster Learn more about one-to-one coaching with Merideth Email the show: [email protected] 

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy and understanding of those who see the world differently. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and relationship transformation, for artists and everyone! If you have episode ideas, dream guest suggestions, or other feedback for me, drop me an email [email protected] Original show notes: Today on the podcast: our final Creative Archetype….Enneagram 9s. Teachers call this type The Peacemaker. Merideth chats with author and editor Ariel Curry, bassist and author David James, and author, spiritual director, and retreat leader Lori Melton, all about life as a creative 9. They discuss figuring out how you feel, cultivating a relationship with conflict, and making room for individuality through creative expression.   (Side note: All 3 of these 9s are married to Enneagram 8s. How about that!)  These 9s invite you all to celebrate the space you inhabit in your personality as we encourage them to step into and celebrate theirs. Invitation:  Take a moment to grab a pen or pencil and draw what you see with your non-dominant hand. 9s are great at not judging, so as you create, sustain judgment of yourself. Be open, playful, and imaginative as you take up space on the page. Allow whatever comes up to come up, and whatever you do, don’t stop until you are done. When you feel finished, journal about the experience. What was your inner dialogue like? Do not let the noise of your critic shake your inner peace. Give yourself permission to try and try again.  Ariel Curry, author and editor David James, bassist and author Lori Melton, author, spiritual director, and retreat leader David Gate Enneagram Poems Enneagram Workshop with Artists for Joy Playlist of the Creative Archetypes Series Register for the next Artist’s Way Creative Cluster Buy Merideth a coffee Email the show: [email protected]  Email the show: [email protected] 

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy and understanding of those who see the world differently. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and relationship transformation, for artists and everyone! If you have episode ideas, dream guest suggestions, or other feedback for me, drop me an email [email protected] Original Show Notes:  In the penultimate installment of our Creative Archetypes Series, we chat with Enneagram 8s. Authors Shannan Martin and Meredith Boggs, as well as hornist and educator Johanna Burian, share what life is like as a Challenger. We explore how creativity can feel like a full body experience to 8s, how vulnerability and levity are key to health, and something we can all do to help the 8s in our lives feel known and loved.  Invitation:  Take this prompt to your journal or answer the questions with a friend or therapist:  What creative challenge(s) am I facing right now? What beliefs underneath the challenge(s) need to be challenged?  Shannan Martin, author and speaker Meredith Boggs, author and nurse Johanna Burian, hornist and educator David Gate Enneagram Poems Enneagram Workshop with Artists for Joy Register for the next Artist’s Way Creative Cluster Buy Merideth a coffee Email the show: [email protected] 

This summer, while I continue to heal from surgery and dream up Season 6, I am re-airing our most popular series: Creative Archetypes! If you are unfamiliar with the Enneagram, you can listen to the intro episode from the original 2023 series here. And if you are familiar and know your number, might I suggest you listen to each episode (even those that aren't about your number) to develop empathy and understanding of those who see the world differently. The Enneagram is a powerful tool for personal and relationship transformation, for artists and everyone! If you have episode ideas, dream guest suggestions, or other feedback for me, drop me an email [email protected] Original show notes: In this week’s episode of Artists for Joy, we talk creative joy with some of our favorite Enneagram 7s. Christa Hardin, marriage counselor and author, Molly Wilcox, author and editor, and pastor, writer, and percussionist, Rev. Edwin Estevez share what life as an Enthusiast is like and what they believe they offer in the creative process. They also discuss how the Enneagram can shed a special light on all our relationships, what 7s can do to find more focus, and the most important fact we all should know about the 7s in our lives. Christa Hardin’s new book, Enneagram + Marriage Molly Wilcox’s substack, Threshold Rev. Edwin Estevez, Kirk in the Hills David Gate Enneagram Poems Enneagram Workshop with Artists for Joy Register for the next Artist’s Way Creative Cluster Buy Merideth a coffee Playlist for the Enneagram Series  Email the show: [email protected]