Stay ConnectedThe Creative Introvert Podcast is the podcast for creatives, makers, artists and entrepreneurs who prefer to work solo.
Cat Rose digs deep into the struggles creative introverts face and provides you with actionable tips every week. Topics tackled include: battling fear, increasing confidence, self-promotion without feeling sleazy, and overcoming procrastination.
Copyright: © Cat Rose Astrology
Today I'm sharing the background of Project: Amor Fati, what I'll be doing for the next year, and how to follow along!
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Hey stranger! I have some 'splaining to do... In this video I'll be sharing why I've been awol for some time, where I am now and what's coming next!
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Today I'll be sharing some thoughts about the upcoming New Moon in Sagittarius and what it will bring.
What does it mean for a new beginning, a new seed being planted in the sign of hope, faith, exploration and adventure?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this New Moon, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this lunation show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
08:52 - Sagittarius
09:25 - Capricorn
10:03 - Aquarius
10:35 - Pisces
11:11 - Aries
11:40 - Taurus
12:09 - Gemini
12:37 - Cancer
13:03 - Leo
13:33 - Virgo
14:04 - Libra
14:44 - Scorpio
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Today I'll been musing over the upcoming transit of Venus in Libra square Pluto in Capricorn and what it will bring.
What does it mean for the Venus, goddess of beauty, harmony, pleasure to be pitted against the lord of the underworld, the planet of metamorphoses, Pluto?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this square, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself!
00:00 - Transit overview
16:38 - Libra
17:10 - Scorpio
17:54 - Sagittarius
18:37 - Capricorn
19:15 - Aquarius
19:57 - Pisces
20:34 - Aries
21:20 - Taurus
22:20 - Gemini
23:04 - Cancer
23:40 - Leo
24:28 - Virgo
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'll be sharing some thoughts about the upcoming Mercury Retrograde in the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn.
I'll also be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
19:47 - Capricorn
20:17 - Aquarius
20:48 - Pisces
21:14 - Aries
21:50 - Taurus
22:27 - Gemini
23:12 - Cancer
23:45 - Leo
24:26 - Virgo
25:01 - Libra
25:30 - Scorpio
26:14 - Sagittarius
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'll be sharing some thoughts about the upcoming Full Moon in Gemini, which is happening on Nov 27th 2023.
Mars is conjoined the Sun, Saturn is forming a t-square to the luminaries, Mercury is square Neptune…. there’s a lot to talk about today!
I'll also be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this lunar eclipse show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
16:55 - Gemini
17:35 - Cancer
18:30 - Leo
19:15 - Virgo
20:02 - Libra
20:55 - Scorpio
21:45 - Sagittarius
22:24 - Capricorn
23:21 - Aquarius
23:58 - Pisces
24:45 - Aries
25:28 - Taurus
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'll be sharing some thoughts about the upcoming transit of the Sun and Mars in Scorpio in a trine to Neptune in Pisces and what it will bring
What does it mean for the Sun, our source of light, inspiration and purpose to be merged with the God of war and discord and working with the support of the mysterious and mystical planet of Neptune?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this opposition, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
Scorpio 16:00
Sagittarius 16:57
Capricorn 17:50
Aquarius 19:00
Pisces 20:03
Aries 21:14
Taurus 22:22
Gemini 23:30
Cancer 24:32
Leo 25:35
Virgo 26:25
Libra 27:25
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'll be sharing some thoughts about the upcoming New Moon in Scorpio conjunct Mars and opposite Uranus in Taurus and what it will bring.
What does it mean for a new beginning, a new seed being planted in the sign of death, decay - and with the planet of war in a very close opposition to the electrifying, shock inducing Uranus?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this opposition, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this lunation show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
Scorpio 09:32
Sagittarius 10:05
Capricorn 10:53
Aquarius 11:50
Pisces 12:33
Aries 13:18
Taurus 14:13
Gemini 15:01
Cancer 15:48
Leo 16:39
Virgo 17:21
Libra 18:10
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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In this video I'll be covering the upcoming transit of Venus into the sign of Virgo and what it will bring.
What does it mean for Venus, goddess of beauty, harmony, peace and joy to enter the domain of Mercury, the sign of the harvest, of counting out the grain and wondering if we’ve done enough, if we know enough, if we have enough...?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this transit, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see Venus in Virgo show itself
00:00 - Transit overview
Virgo 15:47
Libra 16:20
Scorpio 17:18
Sagittarius 18:15
Capricorn 19:12
Aquarius 20:04
Pisces 20:52
Aries 21:33
Taurus 22:27
Gemini 23:15
Cancer 24:08
Leo 25:02
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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In this video I'll be covering the upcoming transit of Mercury into the sign of Scorpio and what it will bring.
What does it mean for Mercury to enter Mars’ watery domicile of scorpio, the sign that embodies the season of autumn?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this transit, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see Mercury in Scorpio show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
Scorpio - 15:45
Sagittarius- 16:16
Capricorn - 16:48
Aquarius 17:34
Pisces - 18:04
Aries - 18:37
Taurus - 19:23
Gemini - 19:57
Cancer - 20:36
Leo - 21:14
Virgo - 21:43
Libra - 22:18
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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A really interesting Solar Eclipse is coming up on October 14, the first Libra solar eclipse in the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle.
This is coming at the end of a big week where we had Venus entering Virgo and opposing Saturn, plus Mars square Pluto before entering Scorpio...
I’ll be breaking down this solar eclipse major lunation event for you, exploring the corresponding tarot cards PLUS I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this solar eclipse show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
Libra 13:07
Scorpio 13:37
Sagittarius 14:14
Capricorn 14:50
Aquarius 15:21
Pisces 16:01
Aries 16:37
Taurus 17:06
Gemini 17:52
Cancer 18:26
Leo 18:58
Virgo 19:34
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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This week Mars will ingress to the sign of Scorpio. What does it mean for Mars to return to its watery domicile of scorpio, the sign that embodies the season of autumn?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this transit, and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself.
00:00 - Transit overview
08:40- Tarot
17:58 - Scorpio
18:29 - Sagittarius
19:08 - Capricorn
19:45 - Aquarius
20:14 - Pisces
20:45 - Aries
21:15 - Taurus
21:57 - Gemini
22:45 - Cancer
23:31 - Leo
24:15 - Virgo
25:08 - Libra
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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This week Venus will ingress to the sign of Virgo. What does it mean for Venus, goddess of beauty, harmony, peace and joy to enter the domain of Mercury, the sign of the harvest, of counting out the grain and wondering if we’ve done enough, if we know enough, if we have enough..?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this transit and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see Venus in Virgo show itself!
00:00 - Transit overview
08:55- Tarot
20:56 - Virgo
21:41 - Libra
23:00 - Scorpio
23:26 - Sagittarius
23:57 - Capricorn
24:35 - Aquarius
25:12 - Pisces
25:48 - Aries
26:35 - Taurus
27:03 - Gemini
27:28 - Cancer
28:11 - Leo
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
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This week Mercury will ingress to the sign of Libra. What does it mean for Mercury, planet of communication, technology, the marketplace, tricks and trickery to be entering Venus’ airy home of lovely Libra, the archetypal image of fairness, justice, beauty and truth?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this transit and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself!
00:00 - Transit overview 08:18 - Tarot 17:54 - Libra 18:34 - Scorpio 19:05 - Sagittarius 19:33 - Capricorn 20:03 - Aquarius 20:37 - Pisces 21:07 - Aries 21:44 - Taurus 22:29 - Gemini 22:49 - Cancer 23:18 - Leo 23:44 - Virgo
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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This week the Sun in Virgo will oppose Neptune in Pisces. What does it mean for the Sun, our source of light, inspiration, illumination and purpose to be pitted against the hazy, mystical planet of Neptune, prone to deceive and mislead us?
In this video I'll be sharing with you what you can expect from this opposition and I'll be going through each rising sign and sharing the life areas you might see this transit show itself!
00:00 - Transit overview 11:29 - Tarot 18:08 - Virgo 18:56 - Libra 19:47 - Scorpio 20:56 - Sagittarius 21:49 - Capricorn 23:02 - Aquarius 24:07 - Pisces 24:48 - Aries 25:42 - Taurus 26:37 - Gemini 27:30 - Cancer 28:32 - Leo
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
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Weekly Astrology forecast for the week beginning Monday April 24th until Sunday April 30th. I detail each astrological transit and the planetary energies for each day based on traditional western astrology.
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Weekly Astrology forecast for the week beginning Monday April 17th until Sunday April 23rd. I detail each astrological transit and the planetary energies for each day based on traditional western astrology.
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a little rerun of last year's Venus in Gemini video, as we enter Venus in Gemini season starting April 11th 2023 until May 7th 2023. Do you have Venus in Gemini? Are you a fan of Venus in Gemini season?
Book an astrology consultation at 50% off this April: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Weekly Astrology forecast for the week beginning Monday April 10th until Sunday April 16th. I detail each astrological transit and the planetary energies for each day based on traditional western astrology.
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a little re-run of last year's Mercury in Taurus video, as we enter Mercury in Taurus season starting April 3rd 2023 until June 11th 2023. I'll be posting a special video about Mercury's retrograde in the sign of Taurus this week so stay tuned for that!
Book an astrology consultation at 50% off this April: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Lunar Path community for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Weekly Astrology forecast for the week beginning Monday April 3rd until Sunday April 9th. I detail each astrological transit and the planetary energies for each day based on traditional western astrology.
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Get Your FREE Daimon Name Generator: https://catrose.ck.page/e342595715
Get Your FREE Lunar Path Journal: https://catrose.ck.page/2e382f447a
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
For anyone who wants to start syncing their life up with the Moon whether it’s the Moon in the sky or if you menstruate, your inner Moon. Attend my free training, Align Your Business with Your Cycle here: https://catrose.ck.page/align
Intro 00:00 Last Quarter to New Moon 1:12 Activities for this phase 03:51 What to avoid in this phase 08:16 My scheduled tasks for this phase 09:52
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Astrology Circle for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
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Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
For anyone who wants to start syncing their life up with the Moon whether it’s the Moon in the sky or if you menstruate, your inner Moon. Attend my free training, Align Your Business with Your Cycle here: https://catrose.ck.page/align
Intro 00:00 First Quarter to Full Moon 01:34 Activities for this phase 02:58 What to avoid in this phase 04:47 My scheduled tasks for this phase 06:27
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Astrology Circle for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
For anyone who wants to start syncing their life up with the Moon whether it’s the Moon in the sky or if you menstruate, your inner Moon. Attend my free training, Align Your Business with Your Cycle here: https://catrose.ck.page/align
Intro 00:00 New Moon to First Quarter 04:20 Activities for this phase 06:35 What to avoid in this phase 08:13 My scheduled tasks for this phase 10:00
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Astrology Circle for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
For anyone who wants to start syncing their life up with the Moon whether it’s the Moon in the sky or if you menstruate, your inner Moon. Attend my free training, Align Your Business with Your Cycle here: https://catrose.ck.page/align
Intro 00:00 Full Moon to Last Quarter 01:34 Activities for this phase 03:03 What to avoid in this phase 05:44 My scheduled tasks for this phase 07:21
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Astrology Circle for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/catroseastrology
Follow me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I’m sharing the lessons I've learned from cycle syncing, and why you might want to sync your life to your cycle so you can live more in alignment, harmony and take advantage of your innate superpowers.
SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE TRAINING ON CYCLE SYNCING: https://catroseastrology.com/cyclesyncing
Books mentioned:
The Period Repair Manual by Laura Briden In the Flo by Alisa Vitti Wild Power by Alexandra Pope and Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer Red Moon Paperback by Miranda Gray
07:00 - PMDD and my story with difficult menstrual cycles
09:33 - What I tried
16:20 - What I’ve learned
Book an astrology consultation: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Join my Astrology Circle for monthly events, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Pisces, coming through on February 19th / 20th 2023. Join the next Moon Circle here and get access to attend these Moon Circles, exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
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In this video I'm walking you through the phases of the Moon, and how you can harness their power in any creative project you set your mind to!
Begins 00:00 New Moon 08:33 Crescent 11:07 First Quarter 12:38 Gibbous 14:56 Full Moon 16:12 Disseminating 18:07 Last Quarter 19:01 Balsamic 19:52
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Saturn is entering Pisces on March 7th, and at some point over the next 3 years, will make at least one of these aspects to a planet in your birth chart. This video outlines what to expect from this Saturn transit to each traditional planet.
Intro 00:00 Saturn-Sun 01:05 Saturn-Moon 03:32 Saturn-Mercury 06:14 Saturn-Venus 08:11 Saturn-Mars 10:17 Saturn-Jupiter 11:47 Saturn-Saturn 14:23
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Today I'm sharing my survival tips for Saturn in Pisces, especially if this is your Saturn return! I go through tips for each sign, see timestamps below:
Begins: 00:00 Pisces 10:00 Aquarius 12:10 Capricorn 13:45 Sagittarius 16:00 Scorpio 18:00 Libra 21:20 Virgo 23:33 Leo 26:37 Cancer 28:29 Gemini 30:22 Taurus 31:37 Aries 32:47
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Aquarius, coming through on January 21st 2023. Join the next Moon Circle here and get access to exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Begins - 00:00 Aquarius - 29:30 Pisces - 30:30 Aries - 31:28 Taurus - 31:52 Gemini - 32:24 Cancer - 33:02 Leo - 33:55 Virgo - 34:43 Libra - 35:42 Scorpio - 37:03 Sagittarius - 37:44 Capricorn - 38:38
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These are my top tips for going from beginner to intermediate astrologer and reading your natal chart like a pro!
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Happy New Year! Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Cancer, coming through on January 6th 2023. Join the next Moon Circle here and get access to exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Full Moon 00:00 Cancer 15:40 Gemini 16:05 Taurus 16:36 Aries 17:00 Pisces 17:24 Aquarius 17:50 Capricorn 18:33 Sagittarius 19:05 Scorpio 19:36 Libra 20:03 Virgo 20:22 Leo 20:43
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Today I'm going through my step-by-step guide to planning your year with astrology. Book your Year Ahead Reading by December 31st: https://catrose.appointlet.com/s/year-ahead
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In this video I'm sharing the biggest astrological transits for 2023. Book your Year Ahead Reading by December 31st: https://catrose.appointlet.com/s/year-ahead
Saturn in Pisces 01:21 Pluto in Aquarius 17:28 Jupiter in Taurus 27:30 Eclipses 33:44 Retrogrades 37:31
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Capricorn, coming through on December 23rd 2022. Join the next Moon Circle here and get access to exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Begins - 00:00
Capricorn - 22:43
Aquarius - 23:31
Pisces - 24:20
Aries - 24:52
Taurus - 25:27
Gemini - 26:06
Cancer - 26:31
Leo - 27:16
Virgo - 28:15
Libra - 29:02
Scorpio - 29:48
Sagittarius - 30:15
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Today I'll be covering the upcoming Mercury retrograde in Capricorn this December 2022.
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Venus in Capricorn season which runs Dec 10—Jan 3rd 2022, and the five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Gemini, coming through on December 8th 2022. Join the next Moon Circle here and get access to exclusive classes, books club and much more: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
Intro 00:00
Gemini 32:09
Taurus 32:49
Aries 33:49
Pisces 34:43
Aquarius 35:35
Capricorn 36:10
Sagittarius 37:00
Scorpio 37:37
Libra 38:23
Virgo 39:16
Leo 39:45
Cancer 40:30
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Today I'm sharing my overview of the top transits to pay attention in the month of December 2022!
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Sun in Sagittarius season, five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Venus in Sag season, five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm sharing my overview of the top transits to pay attention in the month of November 2022!
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What if this Mars retrograde is happening opposite your natal Sun? Or Moon? What if Mars is squaring your natal Venus? In this video I go through each aspect Mars could make to any natal planet, so you know what to expect for this Mars retrograde in Gemini!
Intro 00:00 Mars-Sun 01:29 Mars-Moon 03:18 Mars-Mercury 04:38 Mars-Venus 06:27 Mars-Mars 08:20 Mars-Jupiter 10:00 Mars-Saturn 12:00
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Mercury in Scorpio season, five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Venus in Scorpio season, five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm covering what to expect from the Sun in Scorpio season, five themes to look out for and what aspect to pay close attention to.
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Today I'm sharing what is referred to as the most 'complex doctrine' in all of astrology with you! That is: finding the Lord of the Nativity a.k.a the astrological analogue of the personal daimon! DOWNLOAD YOUR SPREADSHEET HERE: https://www.catroseastrology.com/lord-of-the-nativity/
Intro 00:00 Lord vs Master 07:30 OG text 10:09 Breakdown of candidates - 11:20 Clarifying notes - 15:02 Criteria - 20:09 Tips 27:02
Resources 32:00
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Aries, coming through on October 9th2022. Join the next Moon Circle here: https://www.catroseastrology.com/astrology-circle/
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Today I'm joined by my good friend, Michelle Saya, business guide & astrologer helping mystics in business unlock their client attraction messaging & cosmic offer sales funnel using the energetics of their natal birth chart. We discuss business archetypes, how astrology can help us in our business, and much more!
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Today I'm sharing my top three tips for communicating with your personal daimon, aka. your spirit guide. YOUR DAIMON DIARY KICKSTARTER: http://kck.st/3Rk3ZpP
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Libra in Virgo: Sep 29th—Oct 23 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Libra, coming through on September 25th 2022. Join the next Moon Circle FOR FREE here: https://www.catroseastrology.com/live-astrology-community-events/
P.S. Sorry for the tumble dryer noise in the background! Ugh!
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Libra: September 23rd to October 23rd2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Virgo: Sep 5th-29th 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Virgo, coming through on August 27th 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Libra, which includes our third Mercury retrograde of the year.
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Virgo: August 23rd to September 23rd2022.
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Gemini: 20th August 2022–25th March 2023.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Leo: 11 Aug–5 Sep 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Aquarius, coming through on August 12th 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Virgo: Aug 4th—26th.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Leo, coming through on July 28th 2022.
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Hello my astrology friends! Today I'm sharing the process with which I learned to track the planets, and why I love this practice so much.
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Hello my astrology friends! Today I'm sharing my most recommended astrology books. I've got everything in here from general astrology cook books, to books about the planets, the Zodiac signs, the houses - and much more! Find affiliate links to purchase each of the books below.
The link to sign up and read the books available on Scribd for FREE: https://www.scribd.com/g/7anpba
Astrology for Yourself: How to Understand And Interpret Your Own Birth Chart by Demetra George https://www.scribd.com/book/392551781/Astrology-for-Yourself-How-to-Understand-And-Interpret-Your-Own-Birth-Chart
Horoscope Symbols by Robert Hand https://amzn.to/3PuG8C7
On the Heavenly Spheres by Luis Ribeiro and Helena Avelar https://amzn.to/3yH3huA
The Classical Seven Planets: Source Texts and Meaning by Charles Obert https://studentofastrology.com/product/the-classical-seven-planets/
The Inner Planets by Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas https://www.scribd.com/read/148613962/The-Inner-Planets-Building-Blocks-of-Personal-Reality
Planetary Emanations by Lyn Birkbeck https://www.scribd.com/document/78616925/Planetary-Emanations
Sun, Moon and Planet Signs by Lyn Birkbeck https://amzn.to/3RBUxhN
Planets in Transit by Rob Hand https://amzn.to/3z1xLJ5
Archetypal Universe by Renn Butler https://amzn.to/3IEaLD3
Astrology of Fate by Liz Greene https://amzn.to/3IRG25P
Your Character in the Zodiac by Robert Gleadow https://amzn.to/3P5GBez
The Houses:Temples of the Sky by Deborah Houlding https://amzn.to/3nZohYq
The Houses blog series byNate Craddock on his website https://soulfriendastrology.com/?s=houses
Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller https://amzn.to/3o2En3K
The Lots of Fortune and Spirit: An Exploratory Study by Charles Obert https://studentofastrology.com/product/the-lots-of-fortune-and-spirit/
My book - Discovering Your Personal Daimon https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Leo: July 22nd—August 23rd 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Leo: July 19th—August 4th 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Cancer: 18 July—11 Aug 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Capricorn, coming through on July 13th 2022. Book an astrology reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Taurus: July 5th—August 20th.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Cancer: July 5th—July 19th.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Gemini: June 23–July 18 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Cancer, coming through on June 29th 2022. Check out the Moon Course: https://www.catroseastrology.com/moon-course/
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Today I thought I’d share some musings on how I prepare for a birth chart reading.
Mostly for those of you who are already studying astrology and either starting to give readings for others, or on the fence and feeling almost ready to give readings but may lack a little confidence around just going for it.
When I first started reading I used to spend hours preparing - now I don’t need to, an hour is more than enough - but all astrologers will approach this prep phase differently.
If you’ve got years + years under your belt, you’ll feel confident just reading a chart straight away - but I know that it still helps me to have this prep formula - and I hope it is helpful for you too if you feel like you don’t really know where to start in prepping for a birth chart reading.
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For today’s video I wanted to share some planetary transits that may affect your sleep, what to look out for in the sky and what transiting planets that interact with certain planets in your natal chart that may reflect sleep issues for a time.
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Cancer: June 21st–July 22nd 2022.
MOON COURSE SIGN UP: https://www.catroseastrology.com/moon-course
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Today I want to share with you 5 different places we can look to find the daimon in our daily life. I am making this video because so many of us feel that the daimon is a fascinating being and we sometimes feel it’s guiding presence, but more often than not: it feels very elusive.
I wrote my book for this very reason, as a way to understand and discover the daimon in my life, and to help you do the same. Check it out here: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
I hope that today I can give you 5 really accessible places to seek out the daimon in your life, especially if it’s something that has felt very vague or quiet until now.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Sagittarius, coming through on June 14th 2022. Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Pisces, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
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This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Aquarius, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Aquarius in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
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Today's talk is on the four different types of personal daimon that I’ve identified, which I'm sharing in the hope that this might inspire or guide you to discovering your personal daimon, and to developing a real relationship with that guide of destiny.
Not familiar with what the daimon is? I have a load of videos below, as well as books on the subject, which you can find below:
A playlist of my daimon videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5HulwLC7L4MHjbIC0bsjiq0Y1pKBkBPD
Discovering Your Personal Daimon by Cat Rose Neligan https://amzn.to/3GC5aMo
Anger Madness and the Daimonic by Stephen Diamond https://amzn.to/3wZMpzy
The Soul’s Code by James Hillman https://amzn.to/3x232un
Familiars in Witchcraft by Maja D'Aoust Familiars in Witchcraft https://amzn.to/3lVmzq9
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Today I'm covering the upcoming New Moon in Gemini, coming through on May 30th 2022. Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Taurus: May 28th—June 23rd 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Aries: May 25th—July 5th 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Gemini: May 21st–June 21st 2022.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Aries: May 2nd–28th 2022.
SHOW YOUR INTEREST FOR THE MOON COURSE: https://www.catroseastrology.com/moon
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TIMESTAMPS: Begins 00:00 What Venus represents 4:40 Downsides to Venus in Aries 07:55 Upsides to Venus in Aries 09:53 Celebrities with Venus in Aries 12:57 Venus in Aries transits 16:19
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Today I'm covering the upcoming partial solar eclipse in Taurus, coming through on April 30th 2022. Book an astrology or daimon reading at 50% off throughout the month of April: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Gemini: April 30th – July 5th
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In this video I'm taking a look at the upcoming Venus Neptune conjunction and Venus Jupiter conjunction.
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Taurus: April 20th–May 201st 2022.
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Today I'm covering the upcoming Full Moon in Libra, coming through on April 16th 2022. Book an astrology or daimon reading at 50% off throughout the month of April: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Pisces: April 15th–May 25th 2022.
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Book an astrology or daimon reading and save 50% until April 30th: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading at 50% off until April 30th 2022: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading for 50% off during the month of April: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
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This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Scorpio, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Scorpio in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
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#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Aries: March 20th – April 20th 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Support the show: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Aquarius: March 6th – April 15th 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Venus in Aquarius: March 6th – April 5th 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Libra, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Libra in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Learn what the New Moon in Pisces means and how to understand this lunation cycle!
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Virgo, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Virgo in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Pisces, which we are getting starting this week: Feb 18th–March 20th.
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
DONATE TO THE SHOW: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
In this video I cover the Full Moon in Leo which is coming through on February 16th 2022.
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Leo, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Gemini in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Cancer, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Gemini in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (2016) by Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I have your astrology forecast for January 31st until February 6th, and I'll be covering the New Moon in Aquarius, Sun conjunct Saturn, Mercury stationing direct and much more!
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Learn what the New Moon in Aquarius means and how to understand this lunation cycle!
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
If you're an astrologer or a tarot reader, and you don't yet use the other tool... this video's for you! I lay out the ways in which I use tarot alongside my astrology practice.
Book an astrology or daimon reading: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
Buy me a coffee: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Become an all-access member for online meetups, monthly astrology forecasts and monthly astrology classes: https://hy.page/catroseastrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week Mars enters Capricorn, Venus stations direct and Mercury conjoins Pluto!
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Book Club**
Book Club Meetups are held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. These are a way for us to share insights from what we're reading, learn from each other and discuss ideas.
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Capricorn: 24th Jan—6th March 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week Mercury stations retrograde, the Sun makes eyes at Neptune and gets hot and heavy with Pluto... it's a big one!
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Book Club**
Book Club Meetups are held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. These are a way for us to share insights from what we're reading, learn from each other and discuss ideas.
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Gemini, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Gemini in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Learn what the New Moon in Capricorn means and how to understand this lunation cycle!
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Aquarius, which is coming on January 2nd, and includes my take on the next Mercury retrograde period.
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
If you're feeling a little less than confident about what 2022 will bring, then hopefully this episode will provide some helpful tips for navigating the year ahead.
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week sees Jupiter enter Pisces, Mercury meet up with Venus and Pluto and much more!
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is part two of a series on Jupiter in Pisces, and today I'm looking at past Jupiter in Pisces transits to see what we can learn from these, as well as looking at what Jupiter in Pisces may bring for your rising sign.
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the first part in a series on Jupiter in Pisces, which we are getting December 28th 2021 – May 10th 2022.
CHECK OUT MY UPCOMING COURSES: • https://www.catroseastrology.com/embrace-your-daimon/ • https://www.catroseastrology.com/traditional-astrology-for-beginners/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Taurus, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Taurus in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (1993) - Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's the Sun in Capricorn, which we are getting starting next week: 21st December 2021–20th January 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week brings two planetary sign changes, the Venus retrograde we've all been waiting for PLUS a Full Moon in Gemini... that isn't an eclipse.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Capricorn, which we are getting starting next week: 13th Dec—2nd Jan 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is a series where I'll be looking at the Lot of Daimon through the signs of the Zodiac. I'll start by explaining the nature of the zodiac sign, in this case Aries, as well as what the Lot of Daimon generally signifies, I'll show you some celebrity chart examples and give you tips for interpreting the Lot of Daimon in your chart. I'll end with running through the Lot of Daimon in Aries in each of the Houses.
Books referenced:
"Your character in the zodiac" (1968) - Rupert Gleadow "Horoscope Symbols" (1981) - Robert Hand "The Astrology of Fate" (1984) - Liz Greene "Mythic Astrology" (1993) - Arielle Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON BOOK: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
==
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm continuing a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mars in Sagittarius, which we are getting starting next week: 13th Dec—24th Jan 2022.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week sees Venus sidling up to the lord of the underworld himself, Pluto, as well as Mars squaring Jupiter, Mercury and the Sun both squaring Neptune. I'd love to know what you're expecting from this week - feel free to leave a comment below!
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This week brings us that final eclipse in the Sag-Gemini eclipse cycle which has been playing out since June 2020. Let me know what you've noticed so far during these eclipses in the comments below!
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is the first in a new series in which I'll be looking at planets in signs and taking you through a particular transit in the current sky. Today it's Mercury in Sagittarius, which we are getting starting this week: 24th Nov—13th Dec 2021.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm talking with Charlie Obert, astrologer, philosopher and all-round fascinating human! We talk about the mysterious Lot of Fortune and Lot of Daimon, and Charlie's research in studying what these Lots have to show us in our birth charts.
Check out my book, Discovering Your Personal Daimon: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
My video on how to use the Lot of Fortune & Lot of Daimon: https://youtu.be/at0fZ7Alt44
Charlie Obert's book on the Lots: https://studentofastrology.com/product/the-lots-of-fortune-and-spirit/
Charlie's video on the Lots: https://vimeo.com/350507400
Charlie's website: https://studentofastrology.com/
Calculate your Lots online: https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/traditional-astrology
Lind Weber book: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780866904711/Arabian-Parts-Decoded-Weber-Lind-0866904719/plp
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
What the heck is a Lot anyway?? In this video, I'm exploring the two most important Lots in our birth charts, the Lot of Fortune and the Lot of Daimon. How to calculate them (by eye) as well as what they mean and how to interpret them in your chart. Links mentioned are below!
Check out my book, Discovering Your Personal Daimon: https://www.catroseastrology.com/discovering-your-personal-daimon-book/
Charlie Obert's book on the Lots: https://studentofastrology.com/product/the-lots-of-fortune-and-spirit/
Calculate your Lots online: https://horoscopes.astro-seek.com/traditional-astrology
My interview with Martien Hermes: https://youtu.be/hrW_bbbmywM
Martien Hermes on the Lot of Daimon: https://youtu.be/SZhw_zgvAdU
My interview with Sam Reynolds: https://youtu.be/pv76ae7DTvk
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Following the publication of 'Discovering Your Personal Daimon', I've had some questions from those of you would like to know a bit more about self-publishing, my experience with launching a book through Kickstarter, as well as my own tips for marketing (especially if you're a creative introvert!)
Today's reading covers the first of four astrological techniques I look at when exploring the personal daimon, included in my upcoming book, 'Discovering Your Personal Daimon.'
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm sharing a conversation with the itinerant steampunk sorcerer himself, Jeffrey S. Kupperman.
His book Living Theurgy: A Course in Iamblichus' Philosophy, Theology and Theurgy was super helpful when it came to writing my book, Discovering Your Personal Daimon, and even though my approach to the personal daimon and finding it through astrology is not a view Jeffrey supports in our chat or in his book, I feel like its important to share other perspectives with you and hopefully you'll get that from this interview.
We discuss:
- What theurgy actually is - Why the daimon was so important to neoplatonists - The three types of daimon - What did Iamblichus mean by the 'evil' daimon? - Do our personal daimons have personalities? - The role of the imagination in discovering the daimon - and much more!
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
When we see the daimon’s animal face, or the daimon-familiar, this could be in a species of animal or bird that appears at key moments in our lives. We might see the daimon in a creature that some believe is our ‘pet’ – but we know better. It is arguably the most personal face of the daimon, as it shows itself as a being with personality: in physical form, with physical needs and preferences.
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Reading Maja D'Aoust's book 'Familiars in Witchcraft', has been one of the highlights of my daimon research. Not only does Maja know her stuff in terms of how the daimon has shown up in so many guises throughout history, but she also lives a life with her daimon.
I had so much fun talking to Maja - and I hope you'll have as much fun listening to this conversation.
SUPPORT THE 'DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON' KICKSTARTER: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/catrose/discovering-your-personal-daimon
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
The daimon and creativity seem to go hand in hand. Many of us are familiar with that classic image of the artist or writer or insert your creative passion, anyone who is driven by the guiding force. Someone who is staying up into the wee hours of the morning working at their art, fuelled by nothing other than this daimonic force.
Today I have another reading from my upcoming book, 'Discovering Your Personal Daimon.' This is an exploration of the creative face of the daimon, a topic very close to my heart ; you might have heard me talk about the Muse before on the podcast.
Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
This is an unusual interview in that it was part interview and part tutoring session. I had a tutoring session with Sam and basically used it to pick his brain on the daimon, as I'd seen an amazing workshop he'd given on it, through NORWAC the astrology conference.
Anyway,I thought Sam's responses were so interesting, I though you'd be interested in it too.
We cover:
- What is the Jinn? - The places of good and bad daimon - The lot of daimon - The almuten - How do you meet your daimon? - Is the daimon your Higher Self? - How to remediate a difficult planetary placement
Find Sam at: https://unlockastrology.com/
SUPPORT THE 'DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL DAIMON' KICKSTARTER: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/catrose/discovering-your-personal-daimon
=====
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm joined by my bestie, Rebecca Fox (http://rebeccaonpaper.com/) and she's grilling me about my book, 'Discovering Your Personal Daimon'. We cover my personal experiences with the daimon, the difference between fate and destiny, the problem with free will, how to connect with your daimon without using astrology... and much, much more! Remember you can check out the Kickstarter campaign and get your early bird copy of the book here: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative Moon Circles**
For $5 a month, you can attend our monthly meetup held on the Full Moon.
I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
This is a two-for-one deal! You can attend both the Moon Circle AND our Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetup.
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
**$15/month = Daimonion Academy**
This is the tier for those who wish to take their understanding of astrology to the next level. Each month, a class will become available on the online teaching platform, Daimonion Academy.
Upcoming topics: • The Daimon in Astrology • The Creative Gifts of the Planets • The Hidden Meaning of the Zodiac Signs • Exploring the Twelve Places • And more!
You will also have priority access to Cat via email to ask any questions you have about your astrology studies, and a 25% discount on tuition from Cat.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
In this tier, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can have a coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like. And if we're ever in the same town - cake and coffee are on me!
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/catroseastrology
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
To celebrate the launch of my forthcoming book, 'Discovering Your Personal Daimon', I've got a series of videos exploring the daimon to share with you. Today I'm reading from the first chapter of the book, and explaining the three roles of the personal daimon and sharing some tips for understanding your personal daimon.
KICKSTARTER: http://kck.st/3mL7B7I
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://catroseastrology.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/catroseastrology
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert #CatRose #CatRoseAstrology
Today I'm having a conversation with Julian Vayne, author, occultist and psychonaut. We talk about all things magick, ritual and of course, the daimon. I really love Julian's down to earth, approachable nature and I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did!
To find Julian online, visit https://julianvayne.com
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
The process of getting to know your daimon, which can involve some pretty deep thought and effort, showing up for it regularly and experimenting with different processes, not to mention all the complicated astrological techniques... can be quite a slog. And whenever anything is difficult, the one thing I need to come back to in order to move forward and continue what I've started is... My Why.
In today's episode, I'm sharing with you the three reasons why to embrace your daimon... because of what happens when you DON'T.
Find out more and enroll for my new course, Embrace Your Daimon here: http://thecreativeintrovert.com/daimon
Today I'm having a conversation with Stormie Grace; astrologer, YouTube superstar and all round source of positive vibes! We talk about how Stormie found astrology, the breadcrumbs she received along her path to guide her way, and how she left a successful career in radio to pursue something totally new to her: being a YouTube astrologer!
I was absolutely blown away by Stormie's story, and her wisdom, and I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did. You can find Stormie over at: https://www.stormiegrace.com/ and check out her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-z6h5U6LeE4D7rUbqxBZ8A
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
This week I'm exploring the imagination, what it is, what it has to do with creativity, the daimon, the challenges that the imagination brings us and I'm going to be sharing 7 tips for reconnecting with the imagination.
Today I'm speaking to Theolyn Cortens, a fascinating woman who has a great deal to share about her experiences with astrology, angels, Kabbalah and much, much more! I really enjoyed chatting to Theolyn, and her ability to bring such lofty topics down to earth.
Find Theolyn's work at: https://theolyn.com/
Find Theolyn's upcoming series of books: https://angelofsecrets.com/
***SPECIAL OFFER ON THE ANGELS SCRIPT***
Theolyn will offer a £10 discount off the usual £25 (UK postage & packing is calculated at an additional £5.)
Anyone who then signs up for the Accessing Angelic Realms course will get their payment for The Angels Script (including the p&p) deducted from the course price. This course is on special offer during April.
Anyone who books for the full supervised version of this course can, on satisfactory completion, claim a Certificate as SoulSchool approved Angels Script Consultant.
Find out more: https://theolyn.com/
BOOK AN ASTROLOGY READING: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
BECOME A PATRON + GET AWESOME REWARDS!!
For hundreds of years, creatives have been supported by patrons and all-round good eggs who want to see more magic in the world. I love supporting my fellow creatives, and I make no secret of asking for support from those who appreciate my work.
Every penny helps this labour of love go on, and with every milestone reached, I can throw more of myself and resources into making the Creative Introvert and all my offerings better and better.
So what do you get in return for becoming a patron?
Other than the fuzzy feeling of knowing you've helped support a creative, you can also choose from the following rewards:
**$5/month = Monthly Creative & Business Tips Report**
For $5 a month, I'll send you an in-depth email report outlining the key creative and business opportunities based on the astrology of the month ahead.
Each month I will cover:
- The main creative highlight / opportunity - How to work with the lunar phases this month - What to watch out for (what not to do this month!) - And more!
**$10/month = Monthly Astrology Meetups + Moon Circles**
Monthly Astrology Forecast Meetups are held online, on Zoom. I will go through each of the prominent transits for the month ahead, and we can discuss the astro-weather and how to best navigate it.
We can also look at your own birth chart and see how specific transits might play out for you!
Creative Moon Circles are also held each month on Zoom, on the Full Moon. I take you through what each month's Full Moon can mean for you creatively (we can also look at your birth chart!) and will provide you with several journal prompts to guide your "moonth" ahead ;)
**$15/month = The Creative Introvert Academy**
This is the tier for creatives who are serious about building a business they love, on their terms! You get access to my entire library of premium courses, Masterclasses, templates, cheat sheets and all the bonus goodies.
Otherwise known as, The Creative Introvert Academy, this includes content on topics ranging from marketing your creative work, increasing confidence, getting clients in a way that feels good to you and so much more.
**$25/month = Personalised Monthly Astrology Report**
At the end of each month, I'll send you a recorded personalised astrology forecast for the month ahead.
These video reports will take into account your unique birth chart, as well as the current planetary weather. I'll also incorporate tips specifically for your current creative projects and pursuits!
**$75/month = 1:1 coaching with Cat!**
Not only do you get all the perks from other tiers, you get a monthly 1:1 chat with Cat!
We can do a proper coaching session, discuss your astrology transits or just have a chat about our favourite introverted pastimes - 100% up to you to use these calls as you like.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Feeling lost and confused? Like the ground underneath you is shaky and unstable, like anything could be around the corner? Very understandable in these times. This episode will address four of the most common issues creative introverts feel lost and confused over, and I share four grounding practices with you to help you find solid ground again.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I'm speaking to Martien Hermes, astrologer extraordinaire, about the study of ancient astrology, the Lot of Daimon and much more!
Check out Martien's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD6cs0iqpVDOysf9ATKablA
Find Martien's website here: https://www.martienhermes.com/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I'm talking about the Age of Anxiety that we may find ourselves in, the astrology of the moment, some different philosophical perspectives on anxiety, the gift of anxiety and how to find that gift in our own lives.
Link to read for free on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/g/7anpba
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I'm chatting to astrologer Spencer Michaud. We talk about the creative aspect of astrology, how to understand astrology as a divinatory art, how to incorporate fixed stars into our practice, the nature of daimons and much, much more!
You can find Spencer's work here: https://www.spencermichaud.com/
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
One of the ways I work with people is as a coach, someone to help guide you in a creative project, whether it’s a one off like getting a marketing strategy together or building a website or launching an online course – or find a creative direction that will be aligned to your personality, preferences and superpowers.
And when I’m working with people, one of the most common pain points is basically related to getting shit done. Like… you have the idea, the vision, you have the intention or goal, you have the desire. But… something gets in your way.
And over the course of 4ish years since working with people 1-1 like this, the most common issue I see around getting things done is: people don’t know whether they are a starter, finisher or pivoter and (even if they do know) they aren’t working in a way to make the most out of their type.
So, my plan for today is to help you identify which type you are and once you know, help you figure out what to do about it to make getting things done easier and more enjoyable than ever before.
Sign up for my 6-week online course, Discovering Your Personal Daimon, here: http://thecreativeintrovert.com/daimon
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today we have part two of: How to Find Flow in 2021. In this two-parter I've been diving into the astrology of the moment, and how those energies are going to be reflected in our lives and the world at large.
The planets we spoke about last time were Jupiter and Saturn, who met via a conjunction on Dec 21st of 2020. I also talked about Uranus, who is also involved in this significant planetary alignment, and how this planet and the sign of Aquarius relate to the myth of Prometheus.
From there I talked about the fire that Prometheus brings to mankind, and what that represents symbolically. And while the obvious outer manifestations of that fire are evident everywhere, from technological advancements, the internet, the internet of things being very Uranus in Taurus (where it currently is) as well as mind altering substances.
Finally I got to flow, or ecstasis, or the NOSC that arguably, we're at our best in. It's the state of being that you could say, makes life something worth living.
Now, I'm going to get to the practical, actionable tips based on mostly Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's work and the book Flow, for achieving these peak states and why it's such a good time for this work, with the current planetary alignment we find ourselves in.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I want to talk to you about - or even make an argument for - why 2021 is a non-ordinary Year and what the advantage of this is and how to make this year flow, what it means to be in flow and much more. We'll also be talking about this in the context of recent astrological events and those to come in 2021.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Something I like to do for the last show of the year on this podcast is give you a round up of my fave books from the past year. If you get my weekly Museletter you'll know I'm all about them books, and from the replies I get from some of you lovely people, I know that you're also total bookworms.
So 2020 was a great year for reading, many of us had much more time to get our noses in books, and so if you're looking to carry on the reading habit into 2021, hopefully there's something in here that will contribute to your library.
Sign up for my online workshop, Discovering the Personal Daimon here: http://thecreativeintrovert.com/daimon
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today’s episode is an ode to Saturn. Yes, the planet Saturn. Or more specifically, the god, the archetype, the spirit that the planet Saturn represents. One for the astrologically inclined or at least the astro curious. Start with a bit about my personal history with Saturn, and move into some lessons I’ve learned from Saturn that will hopefully be useful for you too.
Today I'm talking to the super talented Vivi of Vivi's Art Service all about getting started with live-streaming your art! I took a lot of inspiration from our chat, including tips for how to get back into making art especially when you've been out of the game for some time.
Find Vivi on Twitch to catch her live: https://www.twitch.tv/VivisArtService Check out Vivi's art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivisartservice/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
It’s been a while since I’ve spoken about goals and planning and productivity, but it is something that I get asked about a lot – you know, how do you get stuff done.
It seems to be something that many of us will be thinking about as we speed toward the end of 2020 (at last)…
2020 was an indescribably hard year for so many people, and I imagine it won’t take much to make 2021 a “better” year, but I’m sure there are still some of us who are thinking about what we can do personally, to create something we’re proud of in 2021, and basically make up for lost time.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro #TheCreativeIntrovert
On today's show, I'm having a conversation with Sarah Santacroce, one of my most loved and regular guests, to talk about the Gentle Business Revolution.
What is this revolution you ask? Well that's what we cover in today's show! If you consider yourself to be a heart-centred business owner who wants to run your business from a place of generosity, abundance and trust: this is a movement worth paying attention to.
Find Sarah at: https://sarahsantacroce.com/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
This is a bit of a wildcard episode, which I’ve been thinking about doing for a long time, but only now have I got my sh*t together (i.e. research) and have made it into a thing.
We spoke about myth recently, and the value of myth in our every day lives, whether it’s giving us courage and self-belief to take on life’s obstacles, to giving us a greater sense of meaning and belonging while we’re on this watery rock.
Now, I want to get more into the creative side of myth, and have some fun with some of the archetypal characters we meet in mythology and tie in some pop-psychology, and personality type stuff, just because this is the Creative Introvert ;)
The Plan: I'll tell you about a selection of gods and goddesses who I’ve been learning about and how they can inspire us creatively.
I’ll also be sharing my Myers-briggs analysis of each of these legendary figures - actually its not an analysis, I’m not qualified for that and they aren’t people like you and I are people, so that wouldn’t work. But I did find a way to link the 8 types of introvert (INFP, INTJ, INFJ etc) to each of the gods and goddesses, just for fun.
So if you like you can match your personality type to the corresponding god or goddess, or not - it’s just one way to explore these archetypes. You’ll most likely find that you identify with 2 or 3 of them, or more. And if you would like to argue with my typing PLEASE DO, I would enjoy that (Mercury in Aries) and so feel free to email me your thoughts: hello@thecreativeintrovetr.com
You’ll also be able to download a free PDF guide to all of these gods + goddesses of creativity, summarising the types and giving you tips for working with each archetype at: http://thecreativeintrovert.com/gods
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I’d like to talk about time. It’s time to talk about time. Why time?
3 of the biggest, most frequent gripes I hear from my coaching clients who are struggling for various reasons to create and get their creations out into the world, are related to time:
1. I don’t have enough time 2. I’m not there yet 3. I’m stuck
In this episode of the Creative Introvert, I'll be explaining what these all have to do with our relationship with time, as well as give you some new ways to think about time.
Grab your 2021 package (election + year ahead report) before December 20th here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/2021
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Myths aren't just the stories we tell kids to get them to shut up! In this episode of The Creative Introvert, I'll be sharing my musings on mythology, the value it has in our lives and how to embrace myth and actually live in your own mythos.
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
Today’s podcast guest is someone who has had a very significant impact on my life over the past year or so, ever since I had the pleasure of moderating meditation classes he runs on the app Wellness Coach. John Siddique does much more than run guided meditations though, and today’s conversation covers a wide range of his expertise, from writing to self enquiry to love and much more.
I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did.
You can find John at https://www.authenticliving.life/ and on Instagram: @johnsiddique
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Starting something new OR re-starting something after we've had a long break, can be incredibly challenging, especially if we feel like we totally suck at it! In this episode of the Creative Introvert, I'm sharing some personal stories about being a n00b, and some tips I've learned that can help us ease into something new.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Have you fallen off the "creative horse"? Have you found yourself prioritising other activities, or maybe you had a creative flop and feel a bit discouraged? Or maybe you've simply lost your mojo, and you lack inspiration to move forward? Falling off the creative horse is all part of the journey, and this episode is for anyone who is eager to get back on that horse, and start creating again!
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
This is a recording of the most recent monthly astrology forecast meetup I ran, for the month of October 2020. If you’re interested in attending the next astro meetup live and the next Creative Moon Circle, you can! Just visit https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro to support the show and get access to these events.
This episode is titled something like 5 tips for embracing your inner weird, and creating great work but the real title, the secret title is actually: 5 Lessons From a 6 ft 3.5” Rabbit.
So this rabbit I mentioned goes by the name of Harvey, and he is a pooka. (I’m not going to go into it in the episode but you should totally google what is a Pooka P-O-O-K-A)
Some of you will already know who or what I’m talking about but for everyone else, don’t worry, I haven’t totally lost the plot: I’m talking about the rabbit from the 1950s classic film Harvey, based on a play and featuring the charming James Stewart.
Why is this relevant?
I could be making an episode about any of my other fave films (Dumb and Dumber, Jacob’s Ladder, Spirited Away…) but I’m not, don’t worry. The reason Harvey is so relevant I feel, is because I’m interested in the sense that many creative introverts I know have, which is that we’re somehow on the outside, that we don’t fit in, that we’re not approved of by society, that we’re somehow doing “it” wrong (whatever it is.) Just that sense of otherness.
And that can make living the life of a creative and actually fulfilling our true dreams and pursuing our true calling/path VERY difficult. I touched on this in the Self-esteem episode, but basically: we’re all programmed to do our best to fit in to society because it makes us feel safe, it’s the smart thing to do in order to survive and not be totally outcast and left to defend ourselves.
The problem is of course, we end up squashing our creative spirit, going against our daimon in many cases, and ultimately feeling quite miserable.
So. Thankfully I have some help from my rabbit friend, and that's what I'm sharing in today's episode of The Creative Introvert!
Watch Harvey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nk7lZCgJtE
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
On today's show, I'm having a conversation with Connor Frost, a Musician and Educator, hailing from just outside New York City. He has toured extensively both as a solo act and with his band, Dizzy Bats, throughout the US, as well as internationally, and has self-released seven albums over the last decade.
We talk about the fear of taking first steps, one quick tip for getting started, the situation musicians find themselves in during the pandemic and much more.
Connect with Connor: http://www.connorfrost.com/creativeintrovert
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
This picks up on the thread I started in the recent episode on People Pleasing, when I mentioned our habit to people please stems from our need to bolster our self-esteem, and promised an episode focussing more on that.
Since reading the book, "Birth and Death of Meaning" by Ernest Becker, I have a lot of new ideas about self-esteem and about “fitting in” to society… and about how we make meaning in our lives, full of suffering as they are.
In this week's episode of the Creative Introvert, I'll be diving into the topic of self-esteem, explaining what it is, why there isn't a problem in seeking to build our self-esteem - but that there may be a better way for us to get it.
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
This is a recording of the most recent monthly astrology forecast meetup I ran, for the month of September 2020. If you’re interested in attending the next astro meetup live and the next Creative Moon Circle, you can! Just visit https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro to support the show and get access to these events.
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
According to the good ol Merriam-Webster: “A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed in a sequestered place and according to a set sequence.”
Whatever it is, ritual can be seen in a wide variety of symbolic behaviours and are incredibly common regardless of where - or when - you are on the earth.
In this week's episode of the Creative Introvert, I'm taking a look at ritual. More specifically: how we can add a sense of ritual to our creative process and by doing so, imbue our daily lives with more meaning.
Say hi to Cat on social:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
On today's show, I'm having a conversation with Peter Limberg, creator of the Stoa, an online space, "where we can gather and talk about what matters most right now, at the razor’s edge." I absolutely loved having this opportunity to talk to Peter about what it means to live truthfully, facing the unknowingness, and - a pet topic of mine - the Daimon!
I hope you enjoy this chat with Peter as much as I did, and leave with even more questions than before you had before.
Find Peter and the rest of the community at: https://www.thestoa.ca/
Find Peter on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/peternlimberg
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
In this week's episode of the Creative Introvert, I'm exploring my changing definition of WHY, but also: what happens when your WHY (reason to do/be whatever it is you do/are) needs to change. What happens when thought you had a WHY and it’s sort of... stopped working?
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Are you a "people pleaser"? This is something that I hear creative introverts say a LOT about themselves, and I thought it was time to tackle this in today's episode. I cover why people pleasing isn't necessarily a bad thing, as well as what happens when it gets out of control - and what to try in order to remedy that.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
This is a recording of the most recent monthly astrology forecast meetup I ran, for the month of August 2020. If you’re interested in attending the next astro meetup live and the next Creative Moon Circle, you can! Just visit https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro to support the show and get access to these events.
References & Further Reading:
The Mercury phases article: https://khaldea.com/planets/merc_px.shtml
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
You might have heard of the concept of a Muse before. Even if you haven’t considered it in the way I’ll speak of it today, you’ll have said it: amusement, bemused, museum, music
I argue it’s more than just mere entertainment - we’re speaking about something that captivates us - like a great work of art in a museum or the first time you heard your favourite band live - more of a trance, when we encounter the muse.
Nine journal prompts and an customisable invocation to the Muse, available at thecreativeintrovert.com/muse (nine because the Muses in greek myth were the nine sisters, daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne, which means ‘memory.’ Their job was to inspire artists and each Muse was responsible for a different art.)
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
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Today's podcast guest, Azhelle Wade, has worked in the toy industry for over 10 years with companies like Toys R Us, Horizon Group USA, and now Creative Kids, as the VP of Brand and Product. Azhelle launched The Toy Coach when she noticed that too many inventors attend toy shows or pitch meetings with “half baked” ideas that they’d spent too much money on. Her podcast, Making It in The Toy Industry teaches inventors how to keep their toy and game ideas toyetic, cost-effective, and how to answer buyer needs.
We discuss Azhelle's 5-step process to unlocking your ideas, which are game changers whether you're designing toys or anything else for that matter!
Find Azhelle at: https://www.thetoycoach.com/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
This episode of The Creative Introvert has come about from my personal, recent experience with "re-branding" (I also cover why I'm so averse to that word) and the tips I have for you, if you're feeling like you have outgrown your current "brand" and want to give it a refresh.
I've also made a handy dandy little pdf guide to guide you through the steps I share in this episode, as well as a checklist for guiding a website redesign project. Find that at http://thecreativeintrovert.com/rebrand/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
This is a bit of a different episode of the Creative Introvert… I’m going to share the recording of my recent monthly astrology forecast meetups with you. Already I can here many of you skipping this podcast, I know not everyone will be into this – I’m sharing it for those who are and for those who are maybe a bit astro-curious…
I know before I got the astrology bug, I thought it was complete nonsense… I actually had no idea how diverse the field is, and so even if you think you know what astrology is about, I hope this will give you a taste of the kind of astrology I’m learning, practicing and loving.
So if this is well received, I’ll start playing the recording each month. If it’s not for you, no worries, hopefully you’ll stick around for the other shows – I see it like the Joe Rogan MMA episodes, which I always skip. I still love Rogan, but I’m not going to listen to those fight ones: not for me.
Last thing, if you’re interested in attending the next astro meetup live and the next Creative Moon Circle (next weekend, 5th July) you can! Just visit patreon.com/creativeintro and you’ll see the options to support the show and get access to these events.
References & Further Reading:https://khaldea.com/planets/merc_px.shtml
ASTROLOGY READINGS FROM CAT POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here’s how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
We need to discern what works from what doesn’t, what we’re going for and whether or not what we’ve done hits the mark.
It’s built into our genetic code or something. We are discriminating creatures, all living beings are - and when we fail, it can mean the difference between life and death. Naturally it’s a big deal to us.
But "bad" judgement is *really* bad.
Judging whether a line you put down is right or wrong is what makes art better. It makes us better. It’s what gets us closer to the mark, the ideal.
But the fear that creeps up before we’ve even put down the mark, for fear it might be wrong, that’s the kind of judgement that kills our creativity.
That's what I'm going to be tackling in today's episode of The Creative Introvert. I hope you enjoy it!
References & Further Reading:
https://www.positivelypresent.com/2009/05/stop-judging.html
Playful Mind Hardcover by James Downton https://amzn.to/2zNpDjq
Get 60 days of free reading on Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/g/7anpba
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Today I'm talking with Scott Stroud about how we can use our imagination to unlock our creativity, find meaning and basically feel like we can take on the world.
Scott works with various types of individuals and teams from artists to software developers, managers to medical professionals, and every day normal people navigate their own language and metaphors to get clear about what they want exactly and how to get it. He's also volunteered with the long-term unemployed at a local meal center to help them find purpose using the same techniques. The venture was a success and culminated in some of the attendees leading their own groups at the center.
Resources mentionedScott's website
Pre-order Scott's book
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
“Loneliness is as much a reality of life as night and rain and thunder, and it can be lived creatively, as any other experience. So I say, let there be loneliness, for where there is loneliness there is also love, and where there is suffering, there also is joy.” ~ Clark Moustakas
In today's episode I'm going to be taking a deeper dive into the subject of loneliness, and hopefully sharing a new way to look at loneliness, especially if you're a creative introvert.
Resources mentioned:
Loneliness by Clark E. Moustakas
The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone by Olivia Laing
https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/07/11/the-lonely-city-olivia-laing/
https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/06/16/virginia-woolf-loneliness/
https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/04/17/delacroix-journal-solitude/
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
#TheCreativeIntrovert
Why am I talking about dragons? Well... these fearsome creatures have become quite a dominant part of my inner landscape over the past year or so, and I think it's high time they get some recognition through my creative work.
I also feel there's a lot we can learn from our dragon friends, from coping with anxiety to finding your buried creative treasure to feeling more confident and self-assured.
Also, with eclipse season on the horizon, we're entering the mouth of the dragon, whether we want to or not. So, might as well try to prepare.
Along with this episode, I've created a little PDF guide that walks you through the upcoming eclipses, what eclipses actually mean and what to expect over the coming months. If you'd like to grab your free guide, sign up below and you'll be sent to the download page!
Download your 2020 Eclipse Guide Resources mentionedDancing with Dragons by DJ Conway
Get 2 months of reading free on Scribd (and if you search around you’ll actually find my book there for free as a pdf so enjoy)
A Little History of Dragons by Joyce Hargreaves
The Traditional Meaning of the Nodes of the Moon
Don’t let slaying dragons become an addiction!
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
I’ve been thinking a LOT about calling. What we’re destined for. This idea of a path that we’re meant to walk and if we just figure out what that is, we’ll be happy.
My problem is, that I - and maybe you too - had been convinced that our calling is something like: shaping the universe around us to meet our desires. Oh, and that when it’s shaped just how we want, we’ll be happy.
In today's episode, I share my current outlook on what it really means to have a calling, and hopefully provide some comfort, if you're feeling a bit lost.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today I’m tackling a topic I’ve been musing over for some time now. Maybe even years at this point. I’ve also had people - clients, listeners of the podcast, people in the League - all asking about this, and quite frankly I find myself asking questions about it regularly too. The mysterious topic is: intuition.
Now, like with all of these episodes, I’m not claiming to have a definitive answer, now or ever, on these things, but I am aiming to provide us with some material, some "prima materia" perhaps, we can use to deepen our understanding of the intuition.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Studies have shown that people would rather definitely get an electric shock now than maybe be shocked later, and show greater nervous-system activation when waiting for an unpredictable shock (or other unpleasant stimulus) than an expected one.
I think we can all agree that uncertainty is something we all want to avoid, and we can go to extreme lengths to do so. Living in these uncertain times is understandably, a cause for anxiety. I'm hoping though, in this episode, I can help you find a way to live with uncertainty - and actually find some peace.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
This episode of the Creative Introvert is all about evolution. As in, the evolution of YOU, your work, your life, your... you. I'm going to share with you some of the changes that have been occurring in my primary creative project (THIS!) as well as what you can expect from upcoming Creative Introvert shows. I'm also going to share with you a process for working through your own evolutionary blocks, and hopefully coming out the other side as a beautiful butterfly.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
On today's show I have Julia Bainbridge of the Lonely Hour podcast to talk to us about the loneliness epidemic, what it means to experience loneliness (even if you're an introvert), the challenges of isolation we face in the age we live in, and some thoughts for living with loneliness.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to access to the entire Creative Introvert Academy, packed with exclusive courses and resources for furthering your creative career. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Support the show No money? No worries!You can support the show by spreading the word and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts!
Subscribe to the Podcast“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” ~ Dr. Seuss
That's the quote that prompted today's episode of the Creative Introvert... But it turned into an hour+ of me talking about all sorts, from Jung's model of the Psyche to excavating the Shadow to communicating with your Daimon and much more! Prepare yourself for a weird one...
For the Full Show Notes >> https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/you
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today I have Karen Curry Parker on to talk about Human Design, a system you may have heard of before. I found Karen's work when trying to decipher the mysterious chart that had been generated (you can get yours here) and was so grateful for her way of explaining things.
We talk about the five different types that are described in Human Design, the difference between the traditional system and Karen's Quantum Alignment system, problems in using tools like this to understand ourselves, and much, much more.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to access to the entire Creative Introvert Academy, packed with exclusive courses and resources for furthering your creative career. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
No money? No worries!You can support the show by spreading the word and leaving a review on Apple Podcasts!
Subscribe to the PodcastOne of the biggest challenges creative introverts face, at least the ones I encounter is, self doubt. And this is what I'm seeing as the root cause as well as the fuel for what I'm calling "The Cycle of Stuckness." If you feel stuck in any way on your creative path, this episode is for you!
Links Mentioned: John Siddique 50% off Astrology Readings POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today I’m interviewing my co-host on my other podcast, The Seeker and the Skeptic, the marvellous Rebecca Fox. If you haven’t checked our show out already, we’re basically exploring all sorts of belief systems, people and places who tend to divide public opinion. So far we’ve investigated ayahuasca – first hand – we’ve been to an alleged UFO sighting location, we’ve explored the magical land of Glastonbury conversed with Pleidians and much much more. More about that at seekerandskeptic.com
She’s also a graphic novel artist – or is it a comic book artist – anyway, we dive into that on the show too. Rebecca tells us all about her creative process, her journey in becoming an artist after no formal training, and much more. Enjoy the show!
Connect with Rebecca:How To Be Reasonable by Rebecca Fox
Murmurs of Doubt by Rebecca Fox
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to access to the entire Creative Introvert Academy, packed with exclusive courses and resources for furthering your creative career. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Support the showIn this video I'm talking about the value of taking breaks, treating rest time as recovery time, and simple yet effective ways we can integrate breaks into our lives for increased enthusiasm, joy and creativity.
FOR THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/break If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1 Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro #TheCreativeIntrovertOn today’s show I’ve got Claire Summers here who is a fellow digital nomad and a fellow Brit and I knew I had to get her on after learning so much from her blog, her books and as I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my year of travel, I thought it would be wise to get a pro in to talk more in depth about life on the road.
We discuss…
• How Claire started the digital nomad life
• How to overcome the challenges faced as travelling solo as a woman
• How to deal with loneliness as a solo traveller
• How to avoid classic digital nomad mistakes
• And much more!
Find the full show notes here: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/claire-summers
If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
Today I’m talking about the stages of creativity and how we might work with them in a really practical way in our lives.
I’ll also be launching monthly Creative Moon Circles as of TODAY!
These will consist of me talking a little bit about the particular full moon we’re experiencing, how it might play into your creative work, and provide you with some exercises and tools to make the most of the ‘moonth’ ahead.
So if you’re interested in that, check it out for yourself, just click here to sign up: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/moon
Mark Rogers is a Portland-based artist whose work I've been obsessed with for quite some time. I was keen to chat to Mark because I was so curious about his creative process (when you see his work you'll understand why!) and the journey he's been on in becoming a professional artist.
We discuss:
• Using our imagination as “grown ups”
• Thought forms, tulpas and daimons
• Mark’s journey to picking up a paintbrush (age 30) to becoming a professional artist
• Mark’s experience with working with galleries to working purely from online sales
• How Mark uses the Tarot to inform his art
• The importance of structure in creativity
Find Mark's artwork: http://www.markrogersart.com/
=== If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology
Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1
Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro
Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
What is creativity anyway? What does it mean to create, to be creative? Is it something we all have? Can we all do it? Can we all be it?
And if so, can we become more creative? Is there some kind of definitive measuring stick for creativity?
Now that’s the INTJ in me speaking, but really I think it’s a great starting point for a juicy episode of the creative introvert, and on today's show I’m hoping to go down some paths that don’t just stick in the realm of abstract ideas about creativity, nor do I want to strip creativity from its magic, the kind of stuff that attracts us to the creativity in the first place.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Mariëlle is a writer and editor and coaches writers and other creatives who are tired of being in their own way. Next to her non-fiction work, she is currently working on a YA urban fantasy series, and she writes LGBTQIA* sexy romance with Sìne Màiri Ní Ailpín under a pen name. She recently moved to Cyprus, an tiny island in the Mediterranean Sea, where she organises private writer's retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she could have ever imagined.
We discuss:
• Using tarot and other divinatory tools in your creative work • How to tell if it's your ego speaking or your intuition speaking • Mariëlle's creative process, as an INFJ And much more!
This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to access to the entire Creative Introvert Academy, packed with exclusive courses and resources for furthering your creative career. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Support the show >> https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro
Today I want to talk to you about wanting things, all the things - and why we simply can’t get what we want. Ever. Sorry to burst your bubble. I promise there will be something redeeming and positive in today’s message: I want to prove to you that it can actually be a GOOD thing - it might just take a while for us to get to it. It’s worth it though.
References: Pete Rollins The Year of Fun The Pleasure Principle What's Your Story? POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from access to the League of Creative Introverts online community, to online 1-1 coaching, with yours truly. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today’s guest, Josh Ryan is a designer and illustrator based out of Houston, Texas. He specializes in creating products and visuals that connect people through shared experience, emotional connection, and quirky humor. Josh’s work has been featured on HuffPost, Forbes.com, Houstonia Magazine, the Houston Chronicle, and - most importantly - his mom’s refrigerator. We cover a lot of ground including how Josh managed to run a kick ass kickstarter campaign, as well as getting a book deal and life with a full time job and at least 3 side projects on the go. I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did! === FOR THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/josh If you’re interested in booking an astrology reading, you can find out more here: https://thecreativeintrovert.com/astrology Subscribe to Cat's channel so you can always stay up to date on her latest free videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqiJ1yNr3178b-VIY2WCmQ?sub_confirmation=1 Say hi to Cat on social: Instagram: http://instagram.com/creativeintro Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://www.patreon.com/creativeintro #TheCreativeIntrovert
This maybe the podcast I’ve done most research for in the history of the Creative Introvert, and not just book research. It’s a topic that’s been brewing somewhere in my mind, whether it’s consciously or otherwise, and I finally have my ideas in a place where I’m ready to share and fairly confident in my ability to give you something that’s genuinely useful, especially if you’re interested in tapping into your source of greatest creative potential, getting into that flow state, and living from a place that feels true for you.
References: The Artists' Journey - Steven Pressfield Iona Miller on the Daimon About Guardian Angels The Psychology of Creativity Ram Dass on the Still Small Voice The Battle for Our Angel The Story Behind David Bowie The Guardian Daimon The Daimon in Hellenistic Astrology by Dorian Geisler Greenbaum (read for free using this link: https://www.scribd.com/g/7anpba) POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
On today's episode I chat with Heather Hollick all about what networking really is and how to build real relationships especially if you're an introvert.
We have a super fun conversation talking about:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
This is something that’s taken me quite a few years and many, many chats with various creative introverts to discover: not all tips to be productive work for me or you or anyone for that matter.
Yeah, I know. Mind = blown.
Maybe you already knew that. But maybe you didn’t and you were like me, wondering why the fuck the advice of this hyper-productive guru just didn’t work when you tried to apply it in your own life.
The truth is, we’re not all identical beings. Nor are we totally unique either. We’re this annoyingly intricate, yet beautifully nuanced jumble of similarities and differences. Which… makes giving advice on things like productivity and getting stuff done… rather tricky.
And I’ll be the first to admit I’ve tried to do this. I’ve tried to speak to you, and thousands of other Creative Introverts over the years, and tried to cover all cases, but I’m always going to fall short. I’m always going to miss the edge cases, the rebels, the square pegs, and that irritates the heck out of me.
The truth is: only YOU know you. Yes, someone else can be very helpful, maybe even necessary, for shining a light on parts of ourselves we didn’t know were there, but it’s really up to us to see what’s being illuminated, accept it, and learn from it.
Then we can take action that fits us like a snug glove. That’s what today’s podcast is all about. I’m going to guide you through three different tools you can use to figure out what productivity tips to ignore and which will actually work for you.
https://youtu.be/l6kjbEZdHcw
Links mentioned:The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today’s podcast guest is a business and marketing consultant and strategist - and one who has a refreshingly different take on those things that as creative introverts we tend to want to avoid - namely that sales, marketing and general putting-self-out-there piece. We have a super fun conversation talking about:
This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you remember back to 2018, my theme for that year was FUN. I attempted my year of fun, trying one new fun thing a week, and I learned a lot in the process about what I call fun.
This year I decided to focus on… adventure. I’m still not sure what I mean by adventure, but this is what the dictionary says:
: an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks
It’s safe to say I had a year of adventure then. The difference between fun and adventure for me, is that fun is light. Breezy. Joyful. Relaxing. Adventure, on the other hand… might involve peril. Struggle. Challenge. Overcoming fear. Employing courage, embracing the unexpected, encountering the unknown.
So in January 2019, I left my home by the sea in Hove, gave up my flat, gave up a bunch of my possessions all in order to do the digital nomad thing for one year.
I travelled in 3 continents, visited 10 countries and made dozens of new friends.
Now rather than just telling you about my travel stories which I’m sure are only interesting to me, I thought I’d wrap this year up with 12 lessons (one for each month) that I learned from being a digital nomad (I kind of cringe at that label) and what I’m going to do to embody those lessons in 2020.
I don’t know if this will resonate with you, but I hope it does. If you’ve been listening for a while, we’ve probably got a lot in common, even beyond our creative introverted-ness, and I’d like to think there’s one takeaway in this episode that you can take into 2020 too. Maybe we can keep each other accountable in the new year too.
Watch the video version: https://youtu.be/77j2xcFyZ1M
Links mentioned: POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today’s guest is someone who I’ve been meaning to have on the podcast since… before it even existed.
Andy Mort is the host of the Gentle Rebel Podcast, a musician, an undertaker and someone who is very much on my wave length (fellow INTJ too!)
We talk about:
• The challenges introvert musicians face
• The stigma attached to sensitivity in our society
• The problem with desensitising ourselves
• How to encourage sensitivity as an act of gentle rebellion
• What Andy would tell his younger self ... And much more!
FOR THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/andy-mort
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Twitter: http://twitter.com/creativeintro
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In this episode of the Creative Introvert I'm asking the question: What's Your Calling?
In my experience, there is NOTHING as powerful as knowing what your calling is for fuelling your actions.
Willpower is something we have to manage, like our energy. Like a muscle, it get’s tired out. It gets drained by making decisions, by stress, by lack of sleep, by too much sugar.
But we need willpower to stay on task. To get up every day and go to work to pay the bills to look after the kids to make our businesses thrive, to finish that painting that’s been there for months.
What if we could speed up willpower recovery, or provide ourselves with a second wind?
Well, that’s exactly what knowing our calling can do, and that's what this episode is all about.
FREE CALLING PROMPTS DOWNLOAD: https://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/calling
According to today's podcast guest, being single does not mean being broken, lonely, or desperate. And whether or not you already knew that, it can feel like society at large is sending us another message.
I rarely talk about matters of relationships on the podcast - mostly because I'm certainly no expert there - but I've been eager to broach the topic, and felt that Acamea Deadwiler, author and all round badass, would be the perfect guest to have on the show.
This podcast is also being released as we approach holiday season, a time of year I can attest is particularly difficult for those of us who are not in relationships. I hope you find Acamea's words as comforting and inspiring as I did.
What we discussedWhy women in particular suffer from the stigma of being single
The challenges that single introverts face in dating
How to handle being single at the holidays
Pros and cons of online dating
Links mentioned:Single That: Dispelling the Top 10 Myths of Single Women
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Connect with Acamea: Website Twitter Facebook Instagram POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Everything we've experienced to this point plays a part in our overall story.
And they don't all have to flow together neatly into some overused Heroes Journey (though, it is overused for a reason, I'll grant you.)
The story I most often tell is how I left my job. I use this to illustrate how vital it was for me when I finally started paying attention to my introversion.
But you might not know about the time I first built an online course. Which was an abominable fail. I didn’t sell one, not a sausage.
Now, I tell this to clients and when I give talks or do workshops on building a career online, in order to illustrate how bloody important it is to do thorough testing before putting your heart & soul into something.
I also have stories I may never share: stories of unrequited love, rejection, regret, shame. These stories are for me: their purpose isn’t to remind me of the harshness of life or my wounds: they are here to remind me that I lived through them, and came out the other side, a little bruised and battered, but stronger for it. It doesn’t matter if they pale in comparison to stuff you hear about on the news or read about in memoirs. They still have their place.
In each story, I can see part of me that transformed because of that pain or challenge or disappointment. I wouldn't want to forget them, because they are part of me today. Just like you know not to fuck with the past when you’ve got a time machine: I know I wouldn't change a thing because God knows what I'd be like without those experiences.
Resources mentioned:The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Stoicism for Creative Intoverts
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren Sapala, author, blogger, and writing coach. I’ve been following Lauren for quite some time now on the Intro-Twittersphere and have found her to be a fount of advice on writing, marketing your writing and doing it all as a highly sensitive, creative introvert. After reading her book Firefly Magic and absolutely loving it, I wanted to know more about her and how she writes.
What we discussedHow to stop forcing ourselves into social media boxes that don't fit us
How to drop the "rational" voice in our head that says marketing needs to look a certain way
The importance of boundaries on social media
How we can take the pressure to be perfect off
How to find your a Unique Spiritual Purpose
Links mentioned:Firefly Magic by Lauren Sapala
The INFJ Writer by Lauren Sapala
The INFJ Revolution by Lauren Sapala
Connect with Lauren: Website Twitter Facebook POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Long before I started the Creative Introvert I had come across the term creative block. It was probably at art college I first had a taste of it.
The solution? Didn’t seem to exist. It wasn’t the kind of question I even considered asking my lecturers about.
Over the years I’ve got to know creative block even more intimately, and whilst I’m sure we’ll be meeting for many years to come, creative block does seem to linger less than it used to, and for the most part keep away.
That’s because I’ve worked damn hard at experimenting with different solutions for how to cure creative block and that’s what I hope to share with you today, in the hope that at least one tip here will come in handy, should you have an encounter with creative block.
Resources mentioned:The War of Art – Steven Pressfield
The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today I have arguably the most controversial guest I’ve had on the show (don’t worry it’s no one political) and I say controversial because of his take on introversion. And it’s not just any old take on introversion: today’s guest is a lot more qualified than I am or many other professional online introverts are to talk about this stuff: Scott Barry Kaufman is is a psychologist at Columbia University exploring the depths of human potential (see research). He embraces a humanistic, integrative approach to help all kinds of minds live a creative, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Now I don’t want to give you too many more spoilers for todays show, I just want you to dive in and listen - hopefully with an open mind - and if you’re anything like me you’ll have a LOT to think about after hearing this.
Links mentioned:Will the Real Introverts Please Stand Up? Confessions of a Neurotic Extrovert Can You Change Your Personality? 4 Types of introvert Podcast with Scott and Susan Cain Podcast with Scott and Colin deYoung Susan + Scott’s quiz Self Actualisation Tests
Connect with Scott: Website Podcast Twitter Facebook POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’ve just completed Stoic Week!
What the heck is Stoic Week you ask? It’s an online event in which people from all over the world attempt to live like a Stoic for seven days. It’s run every year by the Modern Stoic and basically provides a framework for everyone to join in with, for free, for one week.
I have another podcast that dives much deeper into this, over on The Seeker and the Skeptic, check that out if you’re interested in learning more about Stoicism - both the good bits and the not so good bits.
So for those who aren’t totally sure what stoicism is or fancy hearing my garbled explanation, here goes:
Stoicism is a school of philosophy founded in Athens, Greece by Zeno of Citium around 300 BC. Zeno would lecture to his students from a painted porch (stoa polikile) and that’s where the word ’Stoic’ comes from.
The teachings spread far and wide, influencing the likes of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, right up to modern day stoic bros like Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday, which is where I first came across the philosophy.
I'll be revealing the four reasons stoicism is so useful for creative introverts today, in this week's podcast.
Resources mentioned:How to be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci
A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine
The Tao of Seneca presented by Tim Ferriss
I haven’t vetted all of these, but you can have stoic fun with this list.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today’s podcast guest is someone I have a scary amount in common with and is someone I first spoke to over two years ago, and I’m so glad we’ve kept in touch. Victoria or VK is a true multipassionate, multitalented entrepreneur. She’s an excellent writer, and her purpose is to provide insight + support that cultivates your curiosity + confidence to live your unique, memorable life.
We discuss:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today I’d like to talk to you about WFHing - ok, translation: working from home.
This is something I’ve been doing since 2013 and it’s given me an incredible amount of freedom I wouldn’t trade for the world.
I can pick when I work, for the most part, where I work: as long as I have wifi - and how I work. For many introverts, particularly those of the highly sensitive nature, being able to have this freedom over our environment is so, so important.
I’ve told my story plenty of times so I won’t go into it in depth, but just to use the example, being in an open plan office environment, having to clock in and out at certain times, commuting through a city - all of this was just phenomenally draining for me, and I’m sure for many of you.
I’m not sure of the exact stats, but more than 64 million Americans work from home now, at least part time. I think this is a good time for creative introverts and HSPs who are done with the office: employers are waking up to our individual needs and thx to the internet, there are more ways than ever to WFH.
But rather than try to convince you to work from home, I really want to focus on sharing my advice for those of you who already work from home, who are new to it and those who are considering it in the near future.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today's podcast guest is a writer, introvert blogger, a self-taught marketer… and a life-long learner. He also claims that his bio changes about as frequently as he eats Nando’s chicken... so I guess this could be different by the time I publish our chat!
Jas is also an INFP, an HSP (which we'll be discussing in depth on today's show) and a multi-potentialite.
We discuss:The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron
Connect with Jas on Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but introverts tend to have a lower tolerance for crappy conversations than our extrovert counterparts.
We despise small talk. I mean, I’m sure extroverts don’t love it either, but there do seem to be extra aversions introverts have around shallow conversation, to the point where some of us just won’t say anything at all.
This has even been done to me. Sometimes I’ll meet someone who is even further along the introvert spectrum than I am, and whilst I might be treating the initial conversation as a kind of game of chess, a formality we have to get through until we can start talking about quantum mechanics or death, they will be too impatient to even do that much. Their eyes glaze over. They clam up.
Which is fine, I get it. No one wants to have a lame chat about the weather, even if you are British.
The way I see it, introverts already have a limited capacity for social interaction, so why waste it on the small stuff?
And, as Dr. Laurie Helgoe points out in Introvert Power, “Introverts do not hate small talk because we dislike people. We hate small talk because we hate the barrier it creates between people.”
That feels very true to me. Small talk keeps things on the surface. The sooner we can get to the deeper depths, the better. That’s where we can really connect, get honest, laugh, cry, all that good stuff.
Today's podcast guest a licensed psychotherapist, who has helped hundreds of women, children, parents and teen girls overcome anxiety, be more connected in their relationships, increase self-awareness, and regain trust in their own inner wisdom.
Now, Nicole Burgess helps introverted, high achieving, and/or highly sensitive women be exactly who they are meant to be.
We discuss:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today I want to talk to you about… decision making.
Whether it’s deciding what flavour of ice cream you want to what you want to study at college or uni to deciding whether or not you want to leave your job or partner – decision making is really bloody hard!
Part of my wonders whether introverts in particular struggle with decision making, particularly those who are a ‘P’ or Perceiving type if you are familiar with the MBTI.
Perceiving typed in particular like to keep their options open, allowing for spontaneity and last minute changes of heart. Naturally, decision making is even less fun for these folk.
I’m a J, or a Judging type so I’m less averse to decision making itself. In fact, the sooner I can make a decision the better. BUT that doesn’t make the process any easier. My issue - and I’m sure many of you can relate - is feeling a pre-emptive fear of regret. What if I make the wrong decision? This is where the over thinking, over analysing mind kicks in.
So regardless of whether you’re a go-with-the-flow P type or an overanalysing J type - I think we can all agree that making decisions is a tricksy thing.
Of course, I won’t just leave it at that: decision making is hard. Catch you next week!
No, I have done some work for you to try and find a way we can make the decision making process somewhat less painful, and that’s what I’ll be sharing with you today.
Most of the following is content I’ve adapted from my book, The Creative Introvert, How to Build a Business You Love on your Terms - but as always, I’ll be adding in extra juice you won’t find in the book, and of course the book has lots of stuff you won’t find here.
Today's podcast guest is someone I really admire, because she's an introvert who has actually made video her friend, and rocks on camera. Amazing, I know.
Tors Grantham started her training in television broadcasting over two decades ago. She's helped create programmes that run the gamut from home improvement to the Six Nations (Rugby) commercials to behind the scenes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and Merlin.
Now she works with entrepreneurs wanting to position themselves as experts in their niche, helping them create and leverage video for their business that’s engaging, on-brand, and effective.
We discuss:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
This is a bit of a controversial one because I talk so much about introversion and shaping your life to your personality and preferences, which I’m still all for. I do believe we can make better decisions based on what we know about ourselves, what we tend to behave like what we prefer, where we shine and so on.
However, I’m also sorely aware of a lot of people out there who are letting introversion hold them back from living a full life. I mean, technology isn’t helping either. If I can get all the social stimulation I need from a 10 minute back and forth on Whatsapp, and get all my entertainment from Netflix and order literally everything I need on Amazon… then I can really let introversion dominate.
And actually before I dive much deeper in, I’d like to let you know about an offer I’m running as of today: it’s 30 days of FREE email coaching. Sign up here >>
Signing up means you'll get an email from me every day for 30 days, with my personal insights, tried and true tips and BS-free advice.
We’ll get into the challenges creative introverts face, overcoming obstacles, identifying what you really want - and finally living a creative life the way YOU want.
To make the most of our time as email-buddies, remember to hit 'reply' when something strikes a chord or you have a question. I’ll always reply 😃
Today's podcast guest is someone who has been on my radar for quite some time in the online social media space - and not just because she used to work for the band Megadeth.
Cara Chace is the CEO of Chace Digital, a Pinterest marketing agency, and the Founder of Pinterest PowerUp, the first Pinterest marketing membership community designed for entrepreneurs.
She loves nothing more than seeing those light bulb moments with her clients and members when they see how Pinterest builds their businesses... except for maybe a good book and another cup of coffee. You can find out more about her at carachace.com.
We discuss:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
At the time of recording this episode, it’s the end of the summer in the Northern Hemisphere and I’m feeling the urge to take stock of the last few months and review the progress I’ve made and basically prepare myself for moving forward into my second favourite season of the year, Autumn (or Fall, if you’re that way inclined.)
For the record: my favourite season is Spring.
OK so it’s kind of like there are harvest vibes in the air. And I really like the idea of aligning how I approach my business and creative pursuits and life in general with a seasonal approach. Energetically, it just makes sense. And even from a practical perspective it could make sense to have this seasonal approach: I’m not a mum but I know that a lot of kids go back to school in September, starting a new year. I think part of me still gets the shits every September with that anxiety that comes with starting a new year at school, even though it’s been a decade since I’ve been in formal education.
So rather than trying to ignore whatever anxiety or anticipation we might feel at this time of year, why not work with it? Turn that nervous energy into something we can productively use in our creative businesses?
This brings me to what my recommendation is on todays podcast: reviewing your progress.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’ve gotten to the point where I’m a bit burned out on reading books about creativity, how to be more creative - there are lots of them, and not many of them are worth dipping into other than to procrastinate on doing actual creative work.
But when I heard about today’s guest, Marc Silber’s book, Create: Tools From Seriously Talented People to Unleash Your Creative Life... I knew I had to have him on the show. We discuss Marc's incredibly practical and inspiring book about what it is to be a creative, and what it takes. He even has an interview with Nancy Cartwright, whose voice you are likely very familiar with...
Links mentioned:Create: Tools From Seriously Talented People to Unleash Your Creative Life
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
If you’re someone who has told yourself you’re not wired for marketing, not made for talking to the masses about what you do and think of yourself as a walking disaster when it comes to selling… you’re not alone.
I’ll be the first to admit, as a hardcore introvert: many of the tactics and skills preached by typical marketing and sales ‘gurus’ rub me up the wrong way. I know how difficult it is to blow our own trumpet, and I’m certainly not recommending you do something that makes you feel slimy and inauthentic.
My chat last on last week’s episode with Sarah Santacroce about marketing that feels good vs marketing that feels shitty has inspired today’s podcast - I want to basically outline what I’ve seen in my time in the creative introvert community when it comes to our very common anxieties around marketing.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today’s podcast guest is a return guest, someone who I always love chatting to and catching up with, Sarah Santacroce.
On today’s episode, we’re discussing:
… and much more. Enjoy the show!
Links mentioned:The Gentle Business Revolution
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
OK so two weeks ago I gave you my foolproof sleep routine, which I hope was helpful if you have been struggling with sleep and tried any of those tips out. Or you listened to the show and fell asleep, which I will also take credit for.
Today I thought I’d provide a little bookend to our sleep chat, with some ideas I have about morning routines. Basically, how you spend the first half hour to 2 hours of your day, which I believe is just as important if not more so than how you end the day.
I know I may be biased as I am most definitely a morning person and always have been according to my somewhat grumpy parents. That said, I do firmly believe that everyone can benefit with an intentional, well thought out morning routine. Actually, night owls will especially benefit from it, because it can make the difference between dragging yourself out of bed like a reluctant teenager (no offence to teenagers) and actually looking forward to waking up because you get to have this amazing experience upon waking.
I may be hyping this up a little too much, but that’s only because I’ve spent many years exploring this in my own life, and studying the morning routines of awesome creative people. All I can say is: starting your day right is something worth playing with.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
When I first came across today's guest, I knew immediately I had to have her on the podcast. She's managed to combine two of my greatest obsessions: personality typology AND marketing. And even though she's an extrovert, Brit Kolo is most definitely on my wavelength - and I think you'll agree when you hear our chat today.
We cover:Connect with Brit:
The Marketing Personalities podcast
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Sleep is arguably a topic that already has enough coverage. I mean, you probably don’t need another person telling you you should be getting more sleep or giving you random advice for sleeping better.
But… I’m kind of going to do it anyway. My reason being is that if I can share one tip on this podcast with one person that helps them get a better night sleep, then it’s worth it.
In addition, I’m on my high horse about sleep at the moment because I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that since I’ve been travelling, my sleep hygiene has taken a real hit.
The truth is, sleeping in different places every few weeks not to mention different time zones, makes it nigh impossible to keep up the kind of military-like sleep regime I had pre-January 2019.
And I’ve had to admit to myself: it’s affecting me. I know my energy is dipping way quicker than it used to, I know I’m abusing coffee in a way that isn’t doing me any favours, and I’m sure my memory and attention span aren’t what they once were…
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Todays guest is kind of a big deal.
And not just because she’s a New York Times best selling author, or because she was voted as one of the Guardian’s Top 100 Creative Professionals of the Year or any of her other awards and accolades – Joanna Penn is a big freakin deal because it was her podcast – the Creative Penn – that was responsible for me entertaining the idea that one day, may be I too could have a podcast.
What we discussed:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I know I'm not the only one who has ever found themselves in a creative funk. You know, being in a state of uncertainty, confusion, overwhelm, apathy… whatever the flavour a funk takes, I can for sure attest that isn’t pleasant. In addition to making daily life a grind, they make doing creative work hard or nearly impossible.
Note that this podcast is intended just as a guide to show you how to get out of a creative funk, but if you have prolonged sadness, anxiety or feel like this mood is affecting your life in any significant way: please please do ask for professional help. There are loads of people who are qualified to help with mental health, I am not one of them.
Here are some resources, which I’ve vetted and believe in wholeheartedly:
Resource for coping with depression
International suicide prevention hotlines
Depression support groups (UK)
Depression support groups (USA)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Oh boy do I have a show for you today. I’m actually a bit nervous about airing this one, purely because it’s quite revealing about my current belief system and if you haven’t heard me chat about this stuff before, and you happen to be particularly skeptical of such things, then… I don’t blame you if you want to stop listening. But on the off chance that you’re an open-minded creative introvert who is willing to leave prejudices at the door in the quest for self knowledge and on a grander scale, a deeper understanding of life itself, then you might find this episode both useful and entertaining. Anyway, that’s my warning. Today’s guest is Sam Reynolds, and I don’t want to spoil any surprises about the topic of our conversation today so I’m just going to get straight into the interview. Enjoy. POWERED BY PATREON
This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’m a SUCKER for a plan.
Personally, I find the creation of a plan both very soothing on times of stress and overwhelm, AND exciting in times of apathy or boredom.
A good plan gives you direction, motivation and a structure that ultimately can make your life exponentially easier and more rewarding.
And let’s get real: it’s half-way through the year of 2019, if you’re listening to this when you should be - the very day it comes out…!
It’s worth thinking about where you are, where you wanted to be back at the start of the year, and where you want to be by the end of the year. Maybe you had big plans to get your new website launched by the summer and oh look… it’s kind of half done but it’s already June. A revised plan can help you get back on track.
Or maybe your new years resolution was to start podcasting and you bought the mic on January 1st… but it’s still in its box. Womp womp.
Regardless of where you are, whether you overshot the mark or didn’t have a mark in the first place, there’s NO judgement here. Heck, I’ve long since stopped setting goals thinking I’ll literally achieve them by the exact deadline, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still plan for success. You can’t succeed if you don’t at least try, right? And part of being a creative introvert who attempts to make a living doing what they love, is trying, failing, making adjustments and trying again.
Anyway, I know that planning is what I’m spending some time on this week, and I figured it would be worthwhile sharing what my plan is to plan for the next 6 months… if that makes sense. Basically, this is your plan for planning.
And I know not every creative introvert listening will be quite the fan of planning as I am. But the point of this episode is to try to break down the process of planning in a way that is as pain-free as possible, that you can do within an hour and that you can actually implement over the next 6 months without losing track or getting overwhelmed. So if you're a procrastinator or a rebel (see Gretchen Rubin's Four Tendencies for more on that) then I highly recommend giving this process a try. Can't hurt to try, right?
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Pete Mosley, author of one of my favourite books: The Art of Shouting Quietly who helps people in running a business creatively, how to find and build relationships with customers and how to tell a great story about your work.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I wanted to share with you my ultimate list of books for creative introverts, the ones that have genuinely changed my life (for the better!) and the ones I point to over and over again, when anyone ever asks me for recommendations.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Paula Mould is an author, artist, teacher and entrepreneur who's life's goal is to help creatives connect with themselves, their craft and earn a good living from their work. Her first book, Wake The F*ck Up!, was designed to light the creative fire in women who hit their early 40s, look around at their lives and wonder if this is all there is.
Paula has teamed up with UK artist and writer Leigh Shenton to found The Creative Visionary. Together they are teaching and inspiring hundreds of creatives, artists, writers and more, from around the world to live high energy, rewarding lives.
Connect with Paula
You can find Paula's work at www.PaulaMould.com and The Creative Visionary's free Facebook group at www.facebook.com/groups/thecreativevisionary
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Burnout is a topic I've been meaning to cover for some time on the Creative Introvert podcast, but I've been slightly cautious about it because I wanted to make sure I don't in any way glamorise it. This is something I've seen hints of in the online business world, with the entrepreneurs, infopreneurs or whatever-preneurs they want to call themselves. People acting like it's some sort of honour to work so hard you don't sleep or take care of yourself. To then have to take some sort of glamorous retreat in Bali or something, just to get their shit back together.
Well, hopefully that's NOT what this podcast will be about. I want to explain a bit about burnout (which is more tricksy than I had thought prior to researching this) and of course, some practical tips for avoiding burnout and how to un-burn yourself.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
On today’s podcast I have two for the price of one! I have an amazing duo on, Dörte and Georgie of Social Pow Wow.
Georgie has worked in digital marketing since 2012 with a variety of clients including artists, interior designers, and lots of ethical and sustainable brands.
Dörte is co-owner and manager of an online business called Lewes Map Store. As well as their Lewes Map collection, they have a beautiful curated selection of gifts from UK designers & makers.
I really enjoyed talking to them both and it was lovely to see such a great example of effective collaboration.
Links mentioned:Cat Paterson podcast where we discussed Pinterest
The League of Creative Introverts
The Social Pow Wow team have also offered you listeners 15% off their online course, Grow Your Creative Business With Pinterest. Just enter the coupon code ‘CATROSE15’ at checkout.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
"One genuine relationship is worth a fistful of business cards." ~ Susan Cain
Today's podcast is all about... Networking. Or, more accurately: connection.
I share my thoughts on how to network if you're an introvert, the four steps to genuine connection (online and offline methods included) as well as what to do with the connections you make.
Links mentioned:Jennifer Corcoran's networking tip (the bathroom beeline)
Laurie Helgoe - Introvert Power
The League of Creative Introverts
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
In this episode of the Creative Introvert podcast we have fellow Cat, fellow ginger and fellow INTJ: Cat Paterson. Business strategist extraordinaire, Cat has a super interesting background, which includes heading up intelligence analysis for a covert agency… and it makes total sense as to why she’s a personality profiling geek, like me.
Apologies for the airplane sound effects - that was 100% my fault, it’s just one of the side effects of recording this podcast while I’m travelling...
What we discussed:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
The biggest challenge the creative introverts face when it comes to marketing their work is… Fear of coming across as sleazy or gross or inauthentic.
Yep. That’s the number one obstacle. Not things like figuring out Facebook or Instagram, not worrying about paid advertising or email campaigns, not even having not enough time, though that is up there.
It’s having the confidence to go out there and share your work, the thing you love with all your heart - at least most days - and communicate what you do to people who may actually give you money for it.
OK. I’m not going to pretend there’s a simple 10-step guide to marketing that doesn’t feel sleazy, that actually feels good and normal and easy… At least, if there is one I don’t know about it.
But in today's podcast am going to attempt to share with you what I’ve come to see about marketing, and help you find a way that feels good to you - and helps you get your work in front of the very best clients or customers for you.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today’s podcast guest, Morgan Stapp is the chief brand strategist at Specht + Co. She specialises in helping businesses communicate their message. We talk about her experience in starting to work for herself, how to handle being an introvert when going to conferences (something I also dived into in depth on the 99th episode) and why she decided to invest in a Mastermind group.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today I’m celebrating my 100th episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast!
Technically, I’ve recorded many more shows – nearly 50 ‘Year of Fun’ minisodes, plus two 10 episode series, one on Self-Knowledge and one on the Enneagram.
I know every podcaster who hits an arbitrary number with some 0’s on the end says this, but I really am surprised I’ve been going this long.
I’m a serial quitter. And I don’t mean that in a bad way, I’m actually really proud pf my ability to switch gear or to acknowledge when something isn’t for me any longer. I’m definitely not one for flogging dead horses.
And amazingly, this podcast has kept me entertained for over two years. And whilst I’d love to say it’s because I’ve got some knack for podcasting, I’m certain it’s 50% because of the awesome guests I’ve had the pleasure to chat to on the show, and 50% due to YOU the listener, who keeps my faith in humanity alive on a daily basis. The sweet emails I get, the comments on Instagram and Twitter – this is the stuff that fuels me when I have to scrape together my incoherent thoughts, and record something for you. So… thanks for that.
So before I get too mushy, I figure I’d share some of what I’ve learned from this podcast, the thing that started as an experiment way back in January 2017.
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POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Let’s imagine your industry’s biggest conference is coming up. Three days of back-to-back presentations, workshops and panels, with endless opportunities to network, pitch influential people and evenings spent keeping the party going…
If you’re an introvert, this may sound about as appealing as a punch in the ribs. Unfortunately, conferences are generally not designed with the quiet-seeking, introspective and highly sensitive type.
Conferences are designed for the many, not the few. If a quiet meeting over tea with a friend is pole fishing, conferences are ocean-floor scraping. They prioritise mass engagement, not one-to-one connections.
Highly sensitive introverts have it even harder. A highly sensitive person tends to feel overstimulated with bright lights, lots of noise, lots of action and before long they burn out.
If you’ve ever been to a conference and felt like you’ve been run over for days afterwards, you’ll know how this feels.
If you haven’t attended a conference yet - don’t let this put you off! Remember introversion is not an excuse not to do something because it’s hard. If going to a conference aligns with your goals - and if getting your work out into the world and making a living from your creative pursuits is one of those goals - then it’s more than likely going to a conference is something worth considering.
I’m recording this just after my final day at one of these big conferences, with over 2000 attendees, Alt Summit. I travelled 20 hours to get here, gave two 90 minute presentations and spoke to more people than I have done in the past year or two combined.
Worth it? Well, the sunk cost fallacy, a cognitive bias we all have that leads us to judge things we’ve invested time or money in as positive regardless of whether they were or not, could be at play. But: objectively speaking, I can honestly say that even after my first day of the conference I had:
But as great as all that is for me, I was hyper aware of (1) my jetlag and (2) my need to conserve my energy. I already had a game plan mapped out to minimise the damage, and I really think it’s what has helped me keep my energy and enthusiasm up.
Regardless of your conference experience to date, I want to show you the simple strategies I mostly managed to apply over the past few days. So hopefully you can put these into place should you have a conference in mind and want to make sure it’s manageable, valuable and maybe even… enjoyable.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Today’s podcast guest is someone I've wanted the chance to speak to even before I considered starting a podcast. Mark McGuinness of lateraction.com I think is best introduced through the words of another of my favourite authors and creativity mentors, Steven Pressfield. Here's what Steven says about Mark:
"Mark McGuinness is a rare cat - part poet, part coach for creative professionals, part old-time, overeducated Brit who thinks deeply about stuff you and I have never heard of... a man who has lived the life and who has watched and worked intimately with hundreds of others who've done the same."
How's that for an intro? I hope you enjoy our chat as much as I did.
What we discussed:I remember clearly being called ‘shy’ as a child. Sometimes ‘quiet.’ I despised the latter more. At least with ‘shy’ it felt like a virus I had caught. Being called ‘quiet’ suggested I had nothing to say. But I had lots to say, just not out loud.
Either way, I knew that they weren’t terms of endearment.
Slowly but surely, I learned ways to cover up my shyness, and pipe up. I surrounded myself with gregarious characters, in the hope it might rub off on me. At times, it did - especially with the help of alcohol.
It wasn’t until I found myself in the real world of work; commutes, meetings and beer o’clock on Fridays that my personality and preferences for quiet and solitude became a real issue. My life force would flatline by 2 pm. I was cranky, uninspired and prone to bursts of tears on public transport.
I wasn’t sure what the problem was. I knew it had something to do with me, because other people seemed just fine with a busy commute on public transport, spending all day in an open-plan office with the radio blaring and small talk by the water cooler and ending the day at a pub in Soho, spilling out onto the streets.
I figured I was broken.
A few years into pushing through, feeling like I was walking on broken feet, I finally left my job at the digital agency to try my luck freelancing. You can work from home, they said. You can work your own hours, they said. Pants are optional, they said.
I was sold!
For a time, the freelance life suited me.
I took advantage of my newfound freedom, relished in the comfort of my own space and experimented with obscure working hours and my personal hygiene.
After a few months of fun, I realised two things. One, that showering daily was probably a good idea after all and two, that clients don’t just stumble across your website automatically and give you money.
That’s when I started to learn about marketing, sales, networking, public relations… and realised I may have made a very big mistake in leaving the agency job, which in hindsight looked positively heavenly.
The advice I’d read online and in books about networking made my skin crawl. These people clearly were nothing like me. I wasn’t interested in learning how to ‘mirror’ someone, or smile in a way that shows at least 26 teeth. No thank you.
The online stuff wasn’t much better: I watched formulaic webinars teaching me how to teach people how to teach people marketing. If that’s how they got their Ferrari, I’ll continue to take the bus.
Surely, I thought, there must be a way to get my work seen by my dream clients, without selling my soul to the Dark Lord of Sleaze?
Moaning to a friend about my dilemma, I finally got my diagnosis.
He said, "You’re an introvert. Of course you find it hard."
I scoffed, "You’re wrong! I’m not shy!"
My friend went onto tell me about the original definition of introvert, the one Swiss psychoanalyst extraordinaire, Carl G. Jung coined.
An introvert is simply someone who gets their energy from spending time alone. They enjoy their own company and deep, one to one conversations. They process information slower than extroverts and in greater depth. This explained my trouble at networking events, my aversion for small talk and why most people made their way to the canapés when I started talking about the nature of consciousness.
In addition, introverts are NOT necessarily shy or quiet, though can come across that way, especially in large groups. They’re often easily over-stimulated, which would explain my trouble in the open-plan office and the busy London lifestyle.
This knowledge came as a giant relief to me. An epiphany, really.
It meant I wasn’t broken. It meant that there were others like me. It meant I could start to manage my energy more effectively and actually use my introversion to my advantage.
From here, my business picked up. I started to approach marketing and pitching clients in a way that suited my personality type and preferences.
When it came to networking, I took my time. I played by my rules. I would go to events that had speakers - something to focus on and give me something to make conversation about that wasn’t too big or too small. I wouldn’t pressure myself to pitch my services right then and there; I’d use my introvert superpower of listening, and follow up the next day with a well crafted email. It worked remarkably well.
Email became my biggest ally. I learned how much I loved to write - introverts usually express themselves better through writing, because it gives us time to think and process our thoughts. I made it a habit, most days, to send just one email to a potential client or collaborator or mentor. Over time, I’ve built up a solid network, in a way that suits my skills and preferences.
Most challenging was to learn to balance my time alone and my time spent with people. Too far in the hermit direction, and I become anxious and life loses it’s colour. Too much time socialising, and I become cranky and critical. It’s a delicate balance that needs daily recalibration. For introverts, it’s worth becoming a real Goldilocks when it comes to energy management.
What surprised me most of all in the years following my introvert epiphany is learning about the value I get in community. Specifically, communities of people (usually creatives and introverts, like myself) who have similar problems as well as similar values as me. I thought I was immune from needing others in this way, until I accidentally found a Facebook group I liked. I started my own, which grew into the League of Creative Introverts. Since then, I’ve witnessed the difference accountability, support, shared skills and shared laughs make in both my life and the lives of my fellow creative introverts.
The final lesson my introvert epiphany gave me is the importance of not using our personality traits as an excuse. Hiding behind the label of introvert to excuse ourselves and remain only in our comfort zones, is a big mistake. Like being given fire from the gods, only to use it to burn our house down; learning about your personality type only to shut yourself away is a major opportunity and potentially a life, wasted.
Getting our work out into the world, serving the people we want to help, and fulfilling whatever purpose we’re here for means acknowledging our needs, playing to our strengths and mitigating our weaknesses. It means finding creative ways to overcome our perceived boundaries, and gently, stretching our comfort zone, whether that means posting our latest piece of art on Instagram or plucking up the courage to go to a local meet up of fellow creatives, even if it’s for 45 minutes.
My introvert epiphany is one of many. I’d love to hear (or read) others. If you know you’re an introvert, how did you find out? What have you learned since then? How have you put your introvert superpowers to use?
Find out more about the #Introvert#Epiphany CampaignGet in touch: hello@thecreativeintrovert.com and send my your introvert epiphany. You can write it, paint it, draw it, sing it - up to you. You can also tag my on Instagram @creativeintro
Today’s podcast guest always knew she was an introvert but didn’t start living boldly, embracing her introversion until she read Quiet by Susan Cain. Ultimately, this book changed Natalie’s life, giving her a new sense of confidence and pride in her quiet nature. She founded Quietly Ambitious in 2015 and since then has been using her online platform to showcase other bold introverts and has started a line of awesome prints that celebrate what it is to be an introvert.
What we discussed:“Just be bold in your introversion! It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Don’t look at the followers. Focus on the content you’re putting out there.”
Connect with Natalie:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Youtube
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
What a weird phrase. “I’m in my element.”
It just popped into my head the other day (coincidentally, I was weeding) and before long I was writing this podcast in my head.
What does it mean to be in your element? According to Cambridge dictionary, the expression means: “to be happy because you are doing what you like or can do best.”
Sounds good to me.
I couldn’t find much on the origin of the phrase, so I decided to come up with my own, somewhat educated, theory.
I guess the element it points to comes from the traditional, elements or substances that were thought to comprise all matter in the universe. They’re likely familiar to you: earth, air, fire and water. I know I know - us westerners miss out the fifth element, aether, and unlike the Taoists, we don’t consider wood and metal to be their own elements.
Oh and seeing as we’ll be talking firmly in metaphors today, I won’t be mentioning the ACTUAL elements, definied by the periodic table. Not today. Since I’m a westerner, and not a scientist, we’re going with Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Now, what I like about talking in terms of these four elements is that it doesn’t take much for us to quickly agree on a pretty much universal language. I think we can all agree that fire is hot. Water is wet. Air is light. Earth is dense. And from these concepts we can really say a LOT about something - or, more interestingly, someONE.
To prove this, let’s do a quick quiz.
I’m a redhead, I blush easily, I’m quick to anger, quick off the mark and full of fiery passion.
Can you guess the element I what I identify with most?
If you guessed fire, you’d be correct! We’re speaking the same metaphorical language.
And then there’s my friend. She has deep blue eyes, cries at every romantic movie, goes with the flow and makes decisions with her heart, not her head.
Any guesses?
I reckon my friend is all about the WATER element.
OK, these symbols are not set in stone (ha - another metaphorical phrase based on our understanding of elements) they are fluid, like… water!
But for the most part, they’re a great shorthand for us to communicate with ourselves and others about a vast range of complex feelings, sensations, perspectives and approaches to life.
This is also the reason I love personality type tests and astrology, but let’s stick to the elements for today.
You might at this point still be wondering why I’m going on about these arguably archaic concepts, but all will become clear soon.
So going back to me digging in the dirt, weeding out pesky greens, and generally having a lovely time on a work-away type holiday, and it occurred to me that I had surrounded myself with something that was missing in my life. Earth.
And yes, I realise the literal meaning but that was just a signpost pointing to the underlying epiphany I was having. I was, until this trip, lacking the EARTH element in my life.
I have an abundance of fire. No one is telling me I could use a bit more drive or to be less patient. If anything, I could probably do with tempering my fire.
And I actually have tempered it, come to think of it, as I look back to my past few years in Brighton. That is one watery - possibly airy too - city. I was literally by the sea. And I was surrounded by incredibly artistic, easy going people who were certainly in touch with their emotional side. I realised my Feeling function, which I associate most with Water, was underdeveloped.
Interestingly, Fire isn’t the element that is least in touch with it’s emotions, it’s really Air that commands the mind and left-brained decision making. But the emotions that Fire commands, mostly rage, passion and obsession, are ones I have let historically get the better of me.
A healthy balance of Fire and Water means tempering those heated emotions, without extinguishing them. It’s looking at them, holding them, sticking with them until they sizzle out.
I did pay attention to this, and started to use more language that spoke to my feeling side. Instead of saying ‘I think this’ I would say ‘I feel this.’
In my journal, I’d write more about how I felt that day, rather than what was happening. If I felt pissed off, I’d sit with it. I would try not to stuff it down, only to let it surge back up later with a vengeance.
I’d say I’ve done pretty well, and my biggest relationship triggers for ragey Cat *cough*family* have improved dramatically.
OK so I’ve worked with Water to temper the Fire. The second element dominating me, I believe is Air. Like I mentioned, this is the one that speaks to my Thinking function.
Oh BOY do I love to overanalyse. If you do to, it could mean that Air has a grip on your mind.
I personally associate INTJs most of all with Air because of how logical they tend to be, as well as being big picture thinkers.
Interestingly, you could be just as likely to be a genius as an airhead when it comes to having a dominant air element. Lots of air can make you indecisive, inconsistent, full of ‘hot air’ and a wee bit selfish.
It’s like air-dominant folk need their balloon popped, they need to be brought down to earth.
Enter: the element of Earth. I was in the rainforest of Peru when I realised I needed to spend less time at my laptop, and more time doing things with my body and with a small community of real live, people. Er - call this a 30 year old crisis if you like, but even months after returning home I felt this urge to be more earthy, more real - it had stuck with me.
Here’s a fun fact: the element of Air is also associated with… technology! Hah. So naturally, an overabundance of Air became next on my list of elements to balance. Earth is the counter to Air, just as Water is the counter to Fire. Just as I had naturally been drawn to Brighton and embraced my Watery side, I've more recently been led to the Algarve and had the opportunity to develop my Earthy side.
So I've been led to a villa in the Algarve where I’ve spent the past few weeks helping out in the garden in exchange for room and board. It’s a pretty awesome way to travel if you have a flexible job and don’t want to spend a lot of cash on lame, lonely Airbnbs. I get to meet people AND get my paws in the mud.
This was really my idea of an experiment, maybe an extension of last year’s YOF. But I didn’t realise what my subconscious had been doing until the other day, when this phrase popped into my head:
In your element.
I have the hardest time identifying with the element of Earth, if I’m honest. Sure, Earth is stable. Grounded. Hard-working. Persistent. Gritty. Nurturing. Loyal.
But where’s the fun, freedom and flexibility of Air? Where’s the intensity of Fire and the depth of Water? Earth is kind of… boring.
But you know what I haven’t been when I’m up to my wrists in soil, with bugs crawling around in my field of vision, and grass stained leggings? I have NEVER been bored.
I have been so very satisfied. That’s the only word really. Content, may be. Tired, sure, but it’s a physical tiredness. It always recovers by the next day and you know the coolest thing? It doesn’t deplete mental energy!
Yeah. If anything, using the physical energy seems to - seems to - increase my mental energy.
I don’t understand any of this myself, I’m just laying down the facts.
Or the feels, more like.
So how does this ramble about metaphorical elements help you?
Well… How about you identify your dominant element? If you’ve taken a personality type test like Myers Briggs, I’ll bet you’ll find this super easy. Or if you’re into astrology, you’re probably well versed in this.
It doesn’t matter: it’s all the same principle because ALL of this is SUBJECTIVE. Yeah. I’m not saying you literally have more fire in you or that being born under the Sun in Pisces literally makes you a watery dreamer. But… If you identify with these traits and associations , these archetypes, then you may find this process very useful.
Then you can identify what element you might want to enhance a bit more, and experiment with ways to do that. You can be super abstract, just focussing on the quality of an element you know you want to develop.
Let’s say you realise you’re lacking in Air and decide you want to be better at critical thinking, using your rational mind to see the world clearly, so you read a book about the subject.
Or you could be really literal, realising you want more Fire because you’re feeling a little cold and apathetic, so you paint a picture with lots of red and orange, and light some candles (er, but do be careful, you don’t want too much fire!)
The parts of me that I’m abbreviating to these symbols, these elements, ALL have their upside and their downside. And naturally, we can let our traits and preferences get out of balance, and our actions and behaviours ultimately reflect that. Then we end up snapping at a co-worker (Fire) or staying in a shitty relationship longer than we should have (Earth.)
It’s super helpful, in my experience to start communicating with yourself in these symbolic ways. Some of you will take to this more than others because yes, we’re all different. But we’re also really similar, and that’s why these systems work. It’s like having lots of different ways to organise your CDs. Back when CDs were a thing. I chose alphabetically. My sister chose colour, organising the spines like a rainbow.
So if you’ve stuck with me through this super esoteric ramble, I applaud you. And as a reward, I have a pretty snazzy online quiz you can take for free, that tells you your dominant element, explains all the four elements in depth, explains how they might relate to your Myers-Briggs type, and tell you what to play up as well as what to watch out for.
You can find that quiz and all the tips at thecreativeintrovert.com/elements
And as always, let me know if you’re enjoying the show! I love receiving sweet reviews on whatever podcast app you use and you can always email me, hello@thecreativeintrovert.com
Oh boy was this a treat for me. And I reckon it’ll be a treat for you too because today’s guest can only be described as a Superhero in the world of feel-good marketing. Yeah. That’s a thing. And when you hear Tad Hargrave from Marketing for Hippies talk about finding your niche, building a reputation and communicating what you do… I think he can really change the mind of even most marketing-allergic creative introvert out there.
What we discussed:This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I was recently asked the question: what would I do differently in my business if I could go back in time five years?
The answer is... I regret nothing!
Er... but another, more useful answer, is... I would know more. I would know certain things like what to invest my time, money and patience in. I would know what to say yes to, what to say no to...
I thought it might be helpful to share the seven things I came up with - the seven things that I would tell Cat of 2013-4 about how, as a creative introvert, to build a business solo.
Self-KnowledgeI like to start with Self-Knowledge, because without it… we’re awash at sea. With it - even with a smidge of it - we can start to orient ourselves, and maybe make our way to less stormy seas.
There are many paths to finding yourself, who you are, what you need, what you want - and you could spend a lifetime on those paths alone.
But for me, there is one pretty direct path - and that is the path of… personality type tests! OK, not the most scientific technique, but let’s face it: you, your ’self’ is entirely subjective, just like these quizzes. You get to decide who you are, what you’re about, and how you see yourself.
With tests like the Myers Briggs Type Inventory or the Big Five or OCEAN model, you have the chance to really reflect on what these tests kick up for you. You might learn something about yourself from the questions you answer alone - like ‘Do you try to respond to your e-mails as soon as possible and cannot stand a messy inbox?’ - that might bring up its own series of insights that you hadn’t even noticed about yourself and your behaviours until you were asked.
Take note of what you agree with, what you adamantly disagree with, and let it speak to you. Ask yourself: what does this tell me about me? What can I do with this knowledge?
FocusOnce we have some knowledge about what we personally need, what we value and what our strengths are, we can apply this to a single point of focus.
Gulp. Focus - meaning to focus your attention on ONE thing or one outcome… isn’t exactly a skill that comes naturally to most creatives. We tend to act more like magpies: jumping from one shiny object to another.
Whilst I encourage the ‘Renaissance Person’ style of dabbling in multiple creative pursuits, I also know very well the limits of this kind of behaviour, long term. When our attention is split, and remains split, it becomes nearly impossible to get anything done. Or anything we do get done isn’t of the standard that it could be, had we just focussed on that one thing at a time.
The point of focus isn’t to limit yourself to only one thing… forever and ever… but to focus on one thing at a time, allowing you to dedicate yourself to the task at hand, free from distraction, and then move your focus to your next one thing.
RoutineI admit that different creatives need different amounts of routine, or at least different types. Personally, I feel my best and do my best work when I have a solid morning routine - so my first 2-3 hours are set in stone. After that, I’m happy to let more of a spontaneous flow shape my day.
So how much routine do you need? What kind of routine? I’d definitely treat this like a personal experiment. Try out a morning routine. Try out an evening routine.
If you work in an office, see what tasks you can do at certain times of the day. If you work at home, you likely have even more flexibility, but of course parents know that your routine has a lot to do with your kids and what they need.
One thing I’ll say is that you likely have more control over your routine than you think. And if you are a stickler for routine, maybe you need to shake things up a bit. If you’re allergic to routine, maybe it’s worth seeing what happens when you add one routine into your day, like drawing a doodle at lunch time.
CourageOh courage. I still think of the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz when I think of courage, because he’s great proof - even if he is a talking lion - that you can DO courageous things ad still be scared.
Courage doesn’t mean sacrificing your fear - because fear means something. It means you care enough about something to fear losing it.
The real secret to doing something courageous isn’t having some certificate that the Wizard gives you to prove your bravery: it’s actually much easier to get. All you need is to care enough about the outcome that you can do something in spite of your fear. No flying monkeys required.
I’ll admit, you will sometimes encounter things that you simply can’t bring yourself to do. But it isn’t because you lack courage, it’s because you don’t want it enough. You don’t want the reward more than you fear the possible loss.
And that’s OK! Just be honest with yourself, and decide what you want courage for. If you want it enough, the courage will show up.
One SuperfanIf you haven’t heard me talk about a Superfan before, I’ll summarise:
Once you know precisely who this Superfan is, and you are aligning your offering with them and their needs… then you won’t have a problem marketing or selling your creative work.
Simple… but not easy. It can take years for someone to truly know their Superfan; some never find them. But I’m a strong believer in taking this slow. Trying to figure this out overnight (been there) isn’t fun and usually just doesn’t get you anywhere.
Next month I’m going to be sharing my process for finding your Superfan in the League of Creative Introverts - we’ll do a livestream with an opportunity to ask questions and all that jazz. If. you’re a member or want to join the League, of course you can sign up over the next week. Just go to thecreativeintrovert.com/lci and you’ll see all the info there.
One platformWhat I mean by platform is a place for you to consistently share your work.
Argh. Do I have to? I hear you cry. Yes you bloody well do!
Let me just say that there are almost infinite ways to share your work online - a recent Leaguer (that’s what I affectionately call folks in the LCI) has shared an amazing blog post sharing snaps of her studio, the view from her window, some of her work and my god it’s fascinating. And makes me really warm to her, as a virtual stranger, and makes me a helluva lot more likely to think of her when I’m in the market for handmade jewellery.
OK so what is the platform for you?
Whatever you pick, I have faith that you can find something that feels like a creative extension of your existing work. I feel this way about the podcast for sure. I love writing and thinking about these topics, and I just happen to be flowing that through the podcast right now.
I don’t think of it as my number one marketing tool, even though it is, I think of it as a way of getting my art out; communicating with my Superfans and challenging myself creatively.
CommunityHmmm… you probably weren't expecting this hardcore introvert to be spouting off about community as one of the vital tings a creative introvert needs to build a business solo. I mean, isn’t that an oxymoron? Am I being an oxymoron?
Before you unsubscribe from this podcast, let me tell you what I mean by community. Because up until 3 years ago, I had no clue myself. I certainly didn’t think I needed one.
So what in the heck IS community?
People I can go to for help. People who I can share jokes with. People who I can learn from. People I can help. People who get me. People who I get.
That’s just my definition. You may have your own - you might add to my list, subtract from it, whatever.
The point is what community feels like. It feels like support. It feels like comfort, but not without interesting challenge. It feels like someone has your back. It feels like purpose, meaning and trust.
Oh boy is community important if you’re playing this creative career game.
I can still remember clearly those long nights I would stay up thinking of what exactly I was doing wrong in my illustration business. What was I missing that they had? Was it my talent? Was it my Instagram strategy? Did I need to read more books about marketing?
Fast forward a few years, and I’m in Brighton, at my own Meetup - Creative Cafe - and basking in the presence of just a small group of like-minds. I might not be best friends with these people, but they were my creative community.
I also found this same feeling of support and mutual encouragement in my online community, the League of Creative Introverts. There, I have the advantage of connecting with folk all over the world, helping each other out, sharing tips and skills, egging each other on - in a gentle way, because we all get it. We know the introvert struggle is real. And we know the joy of being in our own company, and still being able to dip in to our community - because we know the value of it.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today I'm chatting to Steve Folland, freelancer extraordinaire and all-round lovely bloke.
We talk about:Steve is also host of the Being Freelance podcast, which I highly recommend you check out.
Connect with Steve: POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’ve hesitated to talk about this partly because I don’t like to dwell on my own sob stories unless I think I can be helpful, and up till now, I don’t think I’ve been confident I can do that with anxiety. The other reason is my own… denial. Denial that I could be feeling anything less than perky and enthusiastic, and denying that to myself let alone podcast listeners. Oh and of course, my fear that I can even talk about anxiety because I haven't personally experienced an anxiety attack/panic attack.
But I think it's all relative, and if more of us are willing to talk about this stuff, the better we can support each other and manage these inner shit-storms.
The reason I’m finally getting around to talking about this and think it might be a helpful episode, is because of a couple of other podcasts I listened to in the past week, which revealed some misunderstanding on the part of the podcasters about introversion, high sensitivity and social anxiety.
In the podcasts, which had some great info in them btw, it seemed to me that all three tendencies were getting clumped together.
And whilst I do think overlap between introversion, HS and anxiety occur quite frequently in one person, I really don’t like the idea of confusing one for another. I don’t think it’s helpful.
I’ve spoken a lot about introversion before, a little about HS - but not about anxiety. Hopefully in this episode I can clear up some misconceptions about the links between these traits and issues, and maybe even offer some advice I’ve found helpful for managing my own anxiety.
I discuss:Are you a Highly Sensitive Person?
Test for 4 different types of Introvert
Calming tunes Spotify playlist
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Today I'm rather excited to share a conversation with someone who is a bit of an idol of mine, a coach to creative misfits, a maven maker and all round bad ass business woman: Ebonie Allard.
I've basically been in awe of Ebonie since I saw her speak at an event in Brighton, I also had to have her speak at my first ever live event back in 2017 and since then it's been an honour to get to know her better, and get to grill her on today's podcast.
You can connect with Ebonie online - I've got all the links in the shownotes at thecreativeintrovert.com/podcast - and after you've listened to today's show, definitely go and subscribe to Ebonie's podcast, Adulting with Ebonie - I reckon you'll love it.
Connect with Ebonie: POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
What is an introvert-friendly marketing strategy? Isn’t that a contradiction in terms?
Kind of! I’ve been dancing around even talking directly about marketing on this podcast for a while, because I know the response so many of us creatives - especially of the introvert variety - kind of loathe the word.
We don’t want to think about marketing - we want to focus on DOING the creating! Can’t we be so good they can’t ignore us? So good that our dream client will just stumble across us, and throw cash at us to keep doing what we’re doing?
The problem with this fuzzy thinking, is that it actually results in lower self confidence.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Vanessa's mission is to help organisations create a culture in which people, in all their uniqueness and diversity, can be known, feel valued, and thrive.
She recently published her book, Shaping Workplace Culture: A Practical Guide - a must-read for introverts and extroverts alike.
Connect with Vanessa:If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my new, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
So it's been one whole year of me attempting to find what 'fun' means for me, pushing my comfort zone, learning my personal sweet spot between challenge and boredom... and hopefully, showing you that you can do the same, all on your own introverted terms.
Overall thoughtsI definitely don't regret doing the challenge, and didn't find it too hard to put out an extra podcast each week and do something that I could say would be worth your eartime. However, I only count 44/52 weekly challenges, so clearly I didn't manage every week.
Some weeks it was just too hard to schedule something bigger in, and it was interesting watching myself argue with myself as to whether I could podcast about reading a magazine, even though I personally find it fun.
It was interesting to see how my mood dictated what might be fun: some weeks I had a lot of energy to extrovert, and some I really didn't. I found the summer particularly hard, because I struggled with the heatwave we had, and lots of my more adventurous plans got pushed back, and ultimately cancelled.
What I learned about what I think FUN isI certainly don't see fun in the same way I did in January 2018. My biggest discovery is just how much challenge I need in order to feel a real sense of fun - at least the rewarding type, the type that stimulates my adrenal system, probably. The activities that only stimulated pleasure, or dopamine, were much less rewarding and sometimes I felt a bit crap afterwards: like making and eating a batch of shortbread cookies.
Of course the type of challenge proved important: I learned a LOT about what makes for a conducive group environment for introverts (and yes they do exist) vs. what makes a really unpleasant, possibly damaging one. There is an art to group facilitation, and I've seen both ends of the extreme this past year.
The biggest discovery was that my most memorable and rewarding adventures involved... people. Well, people and travel. I knew I liked travelling to new places already, but the people one? Well, that was a surprise.
Again, the type of people involved make or break an adventure. Also, the time spent and what you're doing is going to make a difference too. But some of the things I did with friends, like Improv comedy - I can't fathom having done had I not had one of my besties, Rachel, there to accompany me.
And the adventure that could have proved a total disaster - the retreat in Peru - was made magical by the great people I met there, and the facilitators at Dreamglade. I learned that to be a good facilitator for introverts, you have to be super warm, without going over the top. Introduce yourself, don't assume they know who you are or anyone else is. If there's time, ask the introvert who they are privately - don't insist on group introductions. And finally, prepare them for what's to come! Again, ideally this will be a 1-1 but it could be to the whole group, or even sent by email in advance. I have lots more to say about group facilitation, but I'll save that for later this year I think.
I will say that I've noticed a big shift this year in my ability to manage my energy, when it comes to people time. I've learned not just to recoup after social activities, but to conserve energy during them. This involves more inner work, rather than taking physical time outs. It's more to do with how you interact... I haven't quite put all of this into a theory yet, with actual words, but I plan to, so watch this space.
Now for the reward ceremony:
Most fun adventure - GlastonburyRemember the angels and aliens and egg stone? Yep, the woo-woo capital of the UK was by far the most fun I had. And this was experienced with not one but two people! And we had all of 3 nights there together. I think the fact that we're all introverts helped, and the fact that we get on like the proverbial house on fire, helped.
Listen to the Glastonbury episode >>
Least fun - Learn the CharlestonOh boy was this a disaster. I went to Chichester to take a workshop in learning the Charleston, because I'd attended a conference where we did a bit of the Lindyhop, enjoyed it, and figured this would basically be the same. Trust me, I was prepared to be embarrassed by my dance ability - or lack of - but I wasn't prepared to feel so... unwelcome by the people there.
I don't blame anyone for this, it probably was my own attitude, but it was enough that I left half way through. Hey, it happens. And my one rule of thumb with any of these personal growth challenges is: if you sense something truly isn't for you, don't stick it out! Leave, be done with it and find something that does suit you.
Listen to the Charleston episode >>
Best for personal growth - AyahuascaOh yeah, my trip to the Amazon! It has to be the one. Technically, this was probably the riskiest thing I did, and if you know about what it is to be a HSS you can probably understand the appeal this adventure had for me.
I'm not going to recommend this one to everyone, and I'd lean on the cautious side especially if you're new to plant medicine and solo travel, but... if you're interested, I can highly recommend the centre I went to, Dreamglade and the awesome people there. For a group environment, surprisingly introvert-friendly.
Listen to the Ayahuasca episode >>
[caption id="attachment_9162" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]My favourite spot[/caption]
Best for introverts - Take a Sound BathI wanted to pick something you can do in most cities, and I think this one is a bit obscure, but if you CAN do a sound bath or a gong bath near you - DO IT. I personally found it very introvert-friendly (because you're just lying down with your eyes closed) whilst still being a new experience that challenged my comfort zone just the right amount.
If you're someone who struggles with meditation or yoga or other spiritual practises... this is one to try. In my opinion, it's one of the experiences where it's hard not to feel very chilled out in. Much easier for me than the float tank anyway.
But if you want something a bit more solitary, then you can't go wrong with making a collage. You could pare it with buying a nice magazine beforehand, which could serve as your collage material. Ooh and make yourself a batch of cookies for afterwards.
Plans for 2019Not so much a challenge, but a continuation of updates that are more personal and hopefully give you ideas about:
This has been a dream of mine for years now, to live off my laptop and travel the world, and whilst I can’t pretend I feel totally ready to do it, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be and I’m not getting any younger.
I was pushed to take action when I was in Peru last year: realising that as much as I appreciate the magic of the internet and still want to make a living from online, remote work - I don’t want to be a slave to it.
I want to spend time outdoors, help in a practical way, and meet new people… which is most definitely in my area of discomfort zone, but that’s all the more reason for me to give it a go.
And that’s all this is: it’s giving something a go. It’s experimenting. It’s playing. Which reminds me of the breakthrough one-liner I received in Peru: ’This isn’t a pass or fail thing.’
So, where am I going?OK so first stop is confirmed: Porto!
Then I have some tentative plans to do some workstay’s around Portugal until late March, when I’m going over the pond to Palm Springs, Cali. This is because I’m going to be speaking on two days at the Alt Summit, which, in its own words is: “the premiere conference for creative entrepreneurs and stylish social media influencers.”
Then I’ll be going to a retreat centre in Joshua Tree, which looks amazing, and doing another workstay deal there. In May I’m heading north to Seattle, a place I’ve always wanted to see since Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks stole my heart in that movie… you know what I’m talking about.
I’m there for another conference, this one is… um, well… it’s an astrology conference. Don’t judge me! I explain my interest in the art of astrology in the latest Seeker and Skeptic podcast - guess which one I am. Find that at seekerandskeptic.com
OK so after that… agh! I don’t fully know, but it’s likely going to get exotic for the months of June through to late August/September. I’ll either go back to Peru for more adventures in plant medicine, or do the stereotypical lifestyle entrepreneur thing and go to Bali and/or Thailand.
One thing I know is I’ll be wrapping the year up, if I can afford it… in Japan, my heartthrob country. I want to see the autumn there, and try out all my Japanese I kind of learned and kind of have forgotten already…
I’m planning on being home, in London, for Christmas. And who knows, I might be back in Brighton before that even.
This is the biggest challenge for me right now: NOT KNOWING. And as an INTJ who loves to dream but also loves to logically make plans and put them into action… this is kind of killing me.
But hey ho, for every great adventure there is a great sacrifice, and that’s the one I’m making.
So, if you’re up for following along on my journey, I’m going to try to actually make video content this year (that’s something I failed at on the YOF) and that will be posted on my Instagram account @creativeintro and my Youtube channel, which I’m just dipping my toe in - search for The Creative Introvert and I should pop up there.
Oh and if you’re in or near any of these places in the next few months, and want to meet in a quiet cafe, hit me up!
This podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my newly released book, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Hope you've had a lovely holiday break, whether or not you choose to officially celebrate any or not, I assume the majority had some kind of break from work or your regular routine.
Whilst I did enjoy time with my family of origin, and my friends, I'm quite ready to get back to regular life again. I just want the world to go back to normal - with regular opening hours so I don't get thrown out of my favourite coffee shop at 3pm.
That said, I do like taking the weird limbo between xmas and new years day to really do some reflection on the year that's past. It's easy to just keep on moving from one thing to another without taking some time to stop and smell the flowers, as in: reflect on what worked, what didn't, what you've learned, what you loved over the past year.
In many ways I group 2018 and 2017 together, because these were my Brighton years. The years I've spent away from London, the place I've called home, and attempted to basically start a life from scratch, relying only on the work I do online.
Which is quite funny in hindsight because it was in the past two years I learned the value of what comes from offline life. Meeting people in real life, and learning to manage my energy when doing so. Speaking to audiences from a stage, not just on the podcast. Creating community events in physical locations, not just on Facebook.
I learned a lot, and was definitely challenged as an introvert with mild social anxiety and a tendency to stay in my comfort zone behind the screen. Anyway, next year I've got plans to both utilise the magic that is an online business, and experiment even more with being location independent as I do quite a bit of travelling starting very soon. Whilst also embracing what comes from the real world, living more of my life offline, without relying on the comfort blanket of my laptop and phone.
I'll share more about my plans for 2019 on Thursday's podcast, but for now - I thought I'd talk a bit about GOALS. I've harped on about goal setting before, you might know how fond I am of this process. Or at least, how fond I've been in the past. I've started to soften up my approach to setting goals for myself, and in doing so I hope I can help more of you who have a less... easy relationship with the G-word.
I'm going to read a short chapter from my new book, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms, which is officially released tomorrow - just search for "The Creative Introvert" on Amazon - as this is all about tackling the issue of goal setting - and finding an approach that works for you.
I tried to do as much of this 'choose your own adventure' in the book as possible, taking into account multiple different types of creative introvert that I know are out there, my intention being that you find the very best path for you to accomplishing just about anything you want, at least in terms of your creative career.
Enjoy the show!
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’ll admit I’ve been a bit stuck on Year of Fun happenings to share with you for the last fortnight, and that’s not entirely because my life hasn’t had fun in it… but nothing is exactly big enough to write home about – or, make a podcast about.
After nearly a year of this weekly fun, I’ve learned a lot about what I need in my life, what I consider to be fun, and what I definitely don’t need. I’ll be sharing my round up properly next week, but for now I’ll share one last hurrah, one last look at this introvert’s idea of fun.
So what I thought I’d do is give you a full day of fun activities – actually it’s mostly eating – but a fun day that one could spend in Brighton, the city I’ve been living in for the last 2.5 years.
Seeing as I’ll be waving goodbye – for a while anyway – to Brighton and Hove in the new year, it seems like an appropriate way to round up my time here and celebrate what this quirky seaside shore offers.
Full disclosure: I haven’t done all of these in one day… but I have done all of them at different times, and am pretty sure you could do this all in one day without feeling overly drained.
How to get to BrightonArrive by train at Brighton Station. I say this because driving and parking in Brighton isn’t fun, so I’ve heard. Lots of one way systems and very expensive car parks – and with a direct train from London, you’re probably better off getting here by train. And do check the train updates before you leave – if you’re not familiar with the issues we have on this particular line, then… beware.
Brunch at Cafe CohoOk so you’ve arrived, yay! Ideally, you want to get here by 10:30/11 am, which is hopefully doable – and it means you’ll be in time for brunch, my favourite meal of the day.
Cafe Coho is right outside the station on the main road that leads to the sea, and they have some mighty fine brunch options. I recommend the sweet potato hash.
Window shopping in the lanesOnce you’ve had your fill and digested a good brunch, head down Queen’s road for a few minutes – before it gets too grim, which it will – and turn left down any of the side streets. This is where it starts getting ‘proper’ Brighton. The North Laines: lots of windy streets, cobblestones, street art, cafes and kooky, esoteric shops. I love it.
A tip I learned when I went to Glastonbury with two of my chums, is to window shop first, spot what you want, then go and do something else before coming back to buy. This is great if you have strong impulsive tendencies, and are likely to regret purchases later, like me.
So for the time being you’re just window shopping. My favourite shops are all on Sydney Street, more or less. You’ve got vintage clothing, comic books, second hand books, crystals, beads for jewellery making, a new stationery shop called Papersmiths and so much more. Definitely head to Sydney street.
The Royal PavilionAt some point you’re going to have to whip out your maps app on your phone, because by now you may very well be lost down some odd side street. Type in ‘The Royal Pavilion’ because that’s where we’re heading next.
To be fair, you could just ask someone because everyone should be able to tell you where it is, it’s kind of a big deal in Brighton, but as you’re a fellow introvert, I’m guessing you’ll go with my first option.
So, the Royal Pavilion! If you heard episode 30 of the Year of Fun then you’ll know I love this place, and think it’s well worth an hour or two on your visit. Everything from the gardens around it, the street performers, the outside of the building alone is worth a visit.
Inside, you get the full extent of the decadence that the Prince Regent insisted on, and the weird mix of East and West in the designs. Go there, take some cheeky pictures though I’m not sure you’re allowed, and digest it all in the gift shop, which ain’t half bad either.
Before our next stop, make sure to head back to any shops to pick up anything you spotted earlier when you were window shopping, and make any purchases you still actually want/can even remember wanting.
Coffee + Cake + GamesNow you’re going to head south, roughly, down to the sea front. It doesn’t matter how you get there, but if you can wind in through the South Laines – do. Though I take no responsibility for you getting lost and distracted there.
Once you’re on the sea front, stop, take a look around at the Pier, admit to yourself it’s garish and probably very loud and annoying with all those seagulls stealing chips – but quite charming in its own way.
Then swiftly head to the east of the pier, finding some steps to take you down to a little strip where you’ll find C:\Side Quest, a games bar/cafe which has made it’s way down from London and has proved quite a hit.
This is one of my more recent discoveries and I just wish I had found it sooner. For one, when I went on a weekday afternoon, it was pretty quiet. Plus it’s bigger than most spaces in Brighton, so even if it was busy you’ll likely find a spot to sit.
Order a coffee, tea – or maybe something stronger. They have cocktails with very ‘punny’ names, which I appreciate.
Then you’ve got the option to play a game, there are board games, and loads of classic video games and big comfy seats to spend hours there, if that’s what you’re into.
OR you can just take a seat by the window, and look out at the view of the sea. A weird fact about Brighton, or at least an opinion I have, is that there are very few spots along the sea front that give you a good view and that are not totally cheesy rip offs. So for the view (and vegan donuts) alone, C:\Side Quest is well worth a visit.
Take a trip up the i360Now this is a controversial one, but I recently embraced it and I’m really quite glad I did. The i360 is this strange beast that was erected when I first moved here, and it’s basically a tower with a pod that takes you up and down, giving you a decent view of the city.
It’s a tourist attraction sponsored by British Airways, and most Brightoners will tell you it’s an eyesore. But then, that’s what they said about the Eiffel Tower… It’s basically Brighton’s Eiffel Tower.
It does cost a bit to get into, so I’m not saying it’s a MUST do, but if you’re with someone and you have an hour or so to burn, go for it. By this time, assuming you’re doing all of this in the winter when I’m recording, you’ll catch a nice sunset or night sky, which is ideal because the city will look much more twinkly and magical then.
Pre-prandialsI’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the insane amount of pubs and bars in Brighton, and whilst I’m not the biggest boozer these days, I will give a couple of recommendations if you’re looking for a pre-dinner drink somewhere.
So if you want a pub, check out the Black Lion or the Walrus, both nice and pubby, the Black Lion also has a decent beer garden for warmer weather. If you’re in the mood for something harder, maybe check out the Plotting Parlour or Bohemia for cocktails. And finally if you want a wine bar, it’s got to be Plateau.
And she says she’s not a big boozer…
DinnerIf you make it out of your pub in time for dinner, I’d strongly recommend Terre a Terre, a mostly vegan and vegetarian restaurant that has blown my mind every time I’ve been. It’s a little on the pricey side, so if you’re not feeling that, then I’d say Franco Manca, serving the best sourdough pizza in town, is worthy of your custom too, and super affordable.
Comedy at KomediaFinally, if you’re in the mood to end the evening with some entertainment, head to Komedia on Gardner Street. You might have to pre-book depending on when you go, but there’s usually something on, usually comedy, that you can turn up for. I love a good giggle (as demonstrated in episode 17), and I’ve always been impressed by the comic standards at Komedia, though I do have friends who will tell you it’s hit or miss.
Few! I think after that you’ll be running to get home and into bed, because I’ll admit – Brighton can feel a bit full on, especially if you’re an introvert and/or an HSP.
But I love this city, and all it’s quirk and the people here are second to none on the friendliness level (especially for the South of England, not the warmest part of the world.)
Ooh and don’t dilly dally – the last train home to London is around 11:30 and I have had the joyous experience of being stranded here in my youth, so – check your train times! And I wish you a lovely day in Brighton.
Fun rating: 9/10 POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I'm a massive fan of 'best of' lists, especially when it comes to books, and I figured it would be a nice way to start rounding up the year.
For the first time, I was pretty consistent this year in keeping track of what I was reading, averaging about 4 books a month - but I will admit I finished probably half of them. I'm a big believer in putting a book down when it stops interesting you. There are too many good books out there.
All but one of these are non-fiction, so apologies if that isn't your jam, but if you listen to this podcast you'll likely be interested in most of these topics anyway, so fingers crossed you find at least one book that piques your curiosity.
I'd also love to know what your favourite books were this year, I'm always up for recommendations.
1) Tribe of Mentors by Tim FerrissI've been an embarrassingly big fan of Tim Ferriss for many years now, his books and his podcast - and this book kind of combines both. It is basically a reference book Tim created for himself, asking his world-class most expert buddies for advice on some of his most pressing questions. Questions like:
How could I be kinder to myself? How could I better say “no” to the trivial many to better say “yes” to the critical few? How could I best reassess my priorities and my purpose in this world?
I love the concept, of seeking council from the best, and if you have the contacts - you might as well use 'em. And if you don't well you can read this book.
2) Shrinking Violets by Joe MoranI stumbled upon this author at a talk he gave in Brighton last year, and I knew I had to have him on the podcast. Fortunately, despite being a shrinking violet, he said yes. This book is a fascinating and really quite sweet look at what it means to be shy, and as someone who often avoids the subject of shyness because I don't want people to confuse it for introversion, it was an important read for me.
3) Your Press Release is Breaking My Heart by Janet MurrayAnother hero of mine, Janet Murray is the author of this next book and one I prescribe regularly to any of my clients or just people I meet, anyone who wants to get their work out to the masses via the press and influencers.
I love how detailed yet simple Janet manages to make this topic of PR and how she does acknowledge what it's like to be an introvert when you're trying to reach out to the press.
4) 12 Rules For Life by Jordan PetersonIf you've been listening to this podcast recently (or if you listened to the episode of The Seeker and the Skeptic on the book club we went to), you probably won't be surprised to hear this entry. Some of his ideas are questionable, yes, but there is so much wisdom buried in this book - which is basically a self-help book. But unlike most other self help books I've ever read, there's something about Peterson's words that hit me at a deep level, it kind of shakes your core - at least, it does for me.
Regardless of what you think of the man, I think it's worth giving this book a go, at least to understand what he's actually trying to say.
5) The Creative License by Danny GregoryAnother podcast guest, this book comes from Danny Gregory who has been a real inspiration to me. I read this book during the summer while I was feeling particularly uninspired and well, sweaty, and this was a reminder of all the possibilities that creativity holds, and how you can start super small - just putting pen to paper - and what a difference that makes.
6) The Artist's Way by Julia CameronDanny takes a lot of his inspiration from this legendary book by Julia Cameron, and I decided to read this for the second time earlier in the year. If you haven't heard of it, it's basically more of a course than a regular book, and Julia walks you through 12 weeks of 'artist recovery' - yes, it's based on the 12 Steps program and has a lot of God talk - but regardless of how you feel about that, it has some real gems that I think I'll be using for the rest of my life.
7) How To Change Your Mind by Michael PollanIncreasingly one of my interests has become the use of plants and plant medicine for healing, both physically and mentally - and let's say it, spiritually. You might have caught the Year of Fun episode back in March where I talked about my trip to Peru, and my experience with plant medicine there.
Again, not for everyone - seriously not for everyone - but we are definitely at a turning point in our cultural attitude to these consciousness-altering substances, and I can't but help be excited for the possibilities they have, if used correctly. Michael Pollan is brilliant at explaining the why behind all this renewed attention for psychedelics, the history, the science and everything in between. One for the seekers and the skeptics.
8) Volcanic Momentum by Jordan RingOne more podcast guest for you here, and like I mentioned on that show, I've read a hell of a lot of books on productivity and time management - but this was a truly great read. I flew through it, and never once felt patronised or like Jordan was trying to get me to do something unreasonable - this guy walks the talk, and I really clicked with his message. If you're looking to get 2019 off to a momentous start, then this one is definitely worth checking out.
9) Mythos by Stephen FryOh my... this is the one I'm most excited about now because I'm still currently reading it. Since I picked it up, I basically haven't been able to stop thinking about it or how much I just want to be reading it. And it definitely sticks out of this list, because it's entirely based on myth - the Greek myths to be exact. And I've been interested in the Ancient Greeks since I was at school, but always felt frustrated when I tried to dig deeper. For one, there are a LOT of characters to keep track of. Plus, the stories are so nutty that when you read them without some of Stephen Fry's humour, they don't seem to reach modern minds properly.
Fry is the perfect person to retell these tales, in my opinion, and if you have any interest in archetypes, legends, bizarre stories and the etymology of words (which I am very much) I highly recommend this tome.
10) The Creative Introvert by... Me.Awkward... Yes, I am putting my own book on my list of best books I read in 2018 because what kind of a message would I be sending to you otherwise?? Honestly, it took me a while of battling with this - it's been officially in the works since January 2018 but I really have been working on it for a good three years in terms of the ideas and activities in there.
It was only in the very last edits back in November that I started to LIKE this book though - which, if you've ever written or created anything you probably know how that feels. We're our own worst critics. And whilst there'll always be bits I'll want to change and update, I have come to the conclusion that this is the best I could do up to this point, in explaining to others HOW to build a business or freelance career in a way that not only works as a creative introvert, but specifically for YOU - a reference book that allows you to pick and choose what appeals to you, specifically. I don't know many people offering something like that, so I hope it provides a missing piece in the entrepreneurial creative self-help space. And I hope you enjoy it, should you choose to get yourself a copy.
And I'll mention the bonuses I'm offering one more time before the offer runs out on December 31st - basically, if you order the book BEFORE then, you'll get your hands on goodies worth around $700, including access to the League of Creative Introverts (my online community), a companion guide eBook and 6 months of book club calls that will begin in the new year.
Phew - all done. Hope you enjoy any of the books you pick from this list, and again - I'd love to read your recommendations too.
If you leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
It was a pleasure this week to have my first repeat guest back on the show, Martin Stellar (he's also the business and mindset coach I mention in The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms.
We discuss what Martin has been up to in the past couple of years, what it means to calibrate reality, and discuss how we can be better decision makers, how we can stop people pleasing and start doing what we're here for.
Connect with Martin:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Dammit - I promised myself I'd recorded my last woo-woo Year of Fun adventure, but here we are. Getting an astrology reading.
After growing increasingly curious about astrology over the past year or so, I figured it was finally time to see what it would be like to get my birth chart - the map of the planets at the exact time I was born - interpreted by a human. I know you can get your chart interpreted online for free (and I recommend this, if you're curious) but I also know the value in speaking to a real live human, and getting their spin on things.
I should let you know my beliefs around astrology, just to be clear. That said, I don't blame you for already jumping to the conclusion that I've lost my mind. I AM still skeptical about the value in attributing what's happening in our lives, and what our personalities are like based on the stars. I can see how nutty that sounds.
But... I also know that we don't know everything. We don't really know what makes what happen. Astrology has been around for a long time, and has existed in multiple parts of the world, across thousands of years.
If there's anything to it, I'd say it's much like the Myers Briggs personality test: YOUR interpretation, YOUR insights from the results and even from the questions - that's where the value lies. If I look at my birth chart and see my sun is in Aries, a fire sign, a bold, strong and somewhat self-centred sign: I will take what I want from that. I might think YES! This explains my fiery temper, my passion and intense drive. I might ignore the self-centred, egotistical tendencies OR I might take them into account and try to temper those aspects of myself, arguably for the better.
Of course there's more to me than those qualities and weaknesses, just like there's more to you than being an introvert or an INFP. But sometimes it's useful to have a helping hand in identifying those characteristics, and that's what Astrology - I believe - does. It's one more torch you can use to shine a light on yourself, and question what makes you, you.
OK, now that's out of the way I'll let you in on my first ever chart reading.
What I cover on the episode:
I'd recommend this to pretty much anyone who has an open mind, and is not prone (too much) to blaming external events for their reality.
You can find out more about my astrologer here (spoiler alert: highly recommended!) and if you'd like to hear a much more in-depth podcast about astrology and a discussion with my skeptical co-host, subscribe to the Seeker and the Skeptic podcast. The show will air 1st Jan.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I thought it would be wise to share an excerpt from my very first book, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms to celebrate it pre-launch. Well, it’s available for pre-order now and the reason you might want to order it before December 31st, is because of all the goodies I’m giving away to you early birds!
The pre-order goodies include:
“The woman leaned over, smiling kindly as she offered me a fruit pastille. I graciously accepted candy from a stranger, as though in doing so the sugar would somehow absorb into my bloodstream and make life sweet again, rather than simply causing an insulin spike. If this isn’t evidence of the kindness of strangers, I don’t know what is. To really set the scene: this was a rainy day in the October of 2010. I was still proverbially wet behind the ears, having recently graduated from the University of Reading with a fairly respectable degree in Graphic Communication and Typography.
I was three months into my internship at a small digital agency in London’s West End, and I had stormed out of the office in tears approximately 45 minutes prior. I was still sobbing, red-faced, as I sat on the train, urging it to leave the station and take me away from the hell of London Victoria as swiftly as possible.
Come to think of it, the kindly, sweet-bearing lady didn’t have much of a choice. You can’t really enjoy your fruit pastilles if you’re sat opposite someone showing signs of hysteria, increasingly turning as red as her hair by the second. Might as well offer her one. So… what was the reason for the waterworks and the storming out, two hours before the day’s end? There were a multitude of reasons, from unfair salary to a narcissistic CEO, but what persisted – and what sparked this book into being – was the dawning of a discovery I wouldn’t fully grasp for another three years.
I left that sadistic internship the next day – yay – but the underlying problem causing my chronic distress and dissatisfaction followed me into my next job. There, I found a much more fair, friendly and above-board company to work for. Yet whilst my circumstances improved on paper, the storm brewing inside me did not.
Let’s piece the evidence together and see if we can diagnose the Cat of circa 2010–2013 with the real underlying problem:
• The highlight of her workday is the first hour. Quiet time to herself before the remainder of the office (comprising 30–40 individuals at any given time) clocks in. • After this, she starts to exhibit signs of quiet distress. Her brow furrows, and grooves get deeper throughout the day, until 5:30pm comes and she resembles a raisin you might consider putting on your cereal. • She is in a state of constant lethargy, despite the fact she spends approximately 80% of her day sitting. • The kindly co-workers around her, who mean well with their table football and darts, just can’t understand why she is spontaneously crying. Is it something they said?
When I looked at these symptoms in the thick of my malaise, I assumed that I was fatally flawed. A broken human who couldn’t hold down a respectable job that plenty of other young graduates would have given their left eyebrow for.
I actually never figured it out whilst I remained (miraculously) employed there. It took a leap of faith and a holiday to Japan for me to finally pack it in and save my boss and colleagues the discomfort of keeping Mount Cat from erupting.
My plan was to simply take a shot at this thing called freelancing, for the six months of savings I had. I can honestly say I had no idea what I was doing: I just had to test my hypothesis; that the 9–5 office grind was not a match for me. It turns out, I was on to something.
Overnight, I discovered energy I hadn’t had in over three years. I woke up without the need for an alarm (and several snoozes), eager to open my laptop, inspired to start creating and refining and emailing and tinkering each and every day.
So what changed? What was it about my newfound lifestyle and work day turned me from Sourpuss to the Cheshire Cat? Did I just hate people? That didn’t seem fair: I liked my colleagues very much. Plus, the more ‘difficult’ clients hadn’t disappeared: I was still dealing with some of the same people and arguably some even more prickly characters now.
Was I just spoiled with years of schooling and university that sheltered me from the grind of commuting each day to an office full of diverse characters and pressure to demonstrate initiative? But I’ve always been highly conscientious, hard-working and tolerant of rigid routine. Again, this didn’t add up.
Eventually, discussing my confusion with a friend, he casually diagnosed me.
“You’re an introvert, then.”
“An introvert?!” I balked.
I could admit that I was a shy child, and had my own share of social anxieties, but on the whole I’d made huge progress in my social skills and increased my confidence over the years. I couldn’t be an introvert!
Then he explained what the original definition of introvert is, coined by Carl Jung, Swiss psychoanalyst, and later expanded upon by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers.
The confusion I had over my work history – and much of my school years – started to vanish. When I understood this new (old) definition of what an introvert really is, a whole world of self-knowledge and understanding of others opened up to me.
An introvert, defined in this book is:
• Someone who gets drained by socialising in groups and recharges by being alone. • Someone who processes information slowly and deeply. • Someone who is NOT necessarily shy or quiet!
Newly armed with this information, my fascination grew. I started to understand why networking was so exhausting. I realised why in-house freelance contracts were not ideal, why I couldn’t stomach networking, why I grew tired long before my more extroverted friends at the pub. I started to shape my business around remote work and clients who could accommodate that. I started turning to more strategic ways of getting my work in front of people. I started letting my friends know why I had to pull an ‘Irish Exit’ so often.
The biggest relief was knowing: I wasn’t broken. I wasn’t a freak. I was in the 30-50% of the population who also fell on the introverted side of the spectrum. A real ah-ha moment came as I started to see a correlation specifically between the creatives I knew and my newfound self-diagnosis. I was finding that the vast majority of these creatives; illustrators, animators, writers, even musicians (who I had assumed were all extroverts if they performed on stage) were also introverts.
We lamented, over tepid pints of dutch courage, how much we wanted to relax into a hermit lifestyle and commit to our art. Self-promotion, social media, talking about what we do, pitching clients and agents… that was the drag, the painful side of our creative path we would do anything to avoid.
I felt this pain acutely. I also felt called to doing something about our conundrum. I committed myself to first working out an introvert-friendly way to make a career that suited my personality type and preferences, then to helping my fellow creative introverts. I committed to finding a way we could have our introverted cake and eat it too. In this case, our cake is creating work we love, and eating it is… well, making a living from it without selling our soul to our extrovert overlords.
This became my obsession, the one that kicked off the Creative Introvert blog, podcast, the League of Creative Introverts and the book you’re reading.
Are you a creative introvert?There are a plethora of tests online that will give you your introvert diagnosis, but really it’s very simple. Do you identify with more than three of the following?
• You restore your energy when you spend time alone. • You generally dislike being at the centre of attention. • It takes you some time to get involved in social activities with a new group of people. • You usually find it difficult to relax when talking in front of more than one person. • You prefer to express yourself through writing or other non-verbal forms.
Well my friend, you’re an introvert in my books!
Misconceptions about introvertsCommon misconceptions about introverts are that we’re all shy and socially anxious. Whilst these traits do overlap, and it is very common to be both an introvert and shy, I do want to clarify that these are separate traits. Even if you consider yourself shy, you probably recognise that your shyness is situational: it depends on the context.
Introversion however, is less fickle. I can’t control whether or not I feel my energy drain after a few hours in a large group situation. I can’t control how my brain processes information and how long it often takes me to find the right word when I’m speaking (especially compared to when I’m writing.)
In addition, this isn’t a book about becoming more of an extrovert: that isn’t my goal and I don’t believe it needs to be yours either. Nor is it a simple description of what it is to be a creative introvert, and an excuse to rant about our struggles. Instead, you’ll be given tailored, experience-based and evidence-based guidance on building a thriving creative career, taking into account your introversion.
Now to define creativity… oh my.This is a little trickier to pin down than introversion. Unlike personality tests, I’m less fanatical about ‘creativity’ tests that get you to think of multiple uses for a pencil, and decide your creativity based on that.
I’m a believer in creativity being in the eye of the beholder. You can feel creative in a niche area like flower arranging, whilst regarding yourself as unmusical, a terrible painter with two left feet. Creativity comes in myriad forms and outlets, and more than anything it’s a description of how we connect the dots, how we generate novelty, and how we play.
I’m not going to ask you to take a test to bolster your belief in how creative you are: I’m going to take a guess and say that you ARE creative. How you utilise that creativity and bring it to fruition is entirely up to you, and I would love more than anything for this book to reveal how you can best do that for your specific personality type, preferences, skills and desires.
If anything you’ve read so far about introversion and creativity resonates then there is a good chance this book is for you. The clincher is this: have you experienced challenges in your career ambitions? It might be communicating with your boss or coworkers. It might be feeling exhausted in an open plan office space. It might be clarifying your target market and building a coherent body of work.
All of these challenges – and many more – you might face as a creative with a degree of career ambition will be explored in this book.
The difference from other career advice books is that this will take into account your introverted nature. It will take into account your preferences for alone time, rich conversation with one person at a time and other subtleties that make being an introvert different. You’ll learn how to use your introverted strengths in your creative career and mitigate the blind-spots that you might experience.
If that sounds like something that might help you, then this book is most definitely for you.
How to make the most out of this bookThis book is divided into six sections: the key areas I’ve identified in working with hundreds of creative introverts in coaching and teaching settings.
They are:
1) Prepare: Learn what you need to be at your best
This section shows you how self-knowledge, mindset and positive psychology are foundational to creative career success. Without this foundation, taking action and applying all the nitty-gritty strategy will likely fall flat; you’ll run into all sorts of sticking points and tie yourself in knots, if you don’t have these firm foundations.
You’ll find out what you need in order to thrive: to be at your creative best, both internally and externally. There will be multiple quizzes so you can identify more about your own personality type and we’ll explore the various routes to learning more about yourself, and how to apply this knowledge.
2) Plan: Get the clarity to move forward with confidence
Next, you’ll learn how to break down the daunting tasks of planning a career shift, starting a new project or building a creative business from scratch. You’ll be guided through a process specifically tailored to creative introverts: including a new take on business planning that is not going to induce sleep.
You’ll gain clarity on what kind of life you’re carving out for yourself, and how to remove the overwhelm from that grand concept, breaking down any size of dream into practical, actionable steps. This section will include helpful worksheets which can be filled in online or downloaded to print.
3) Produce: How To Actually Get Things Done
If you’ve ever struggled with the procrastination gremlin, you’ll be relieved to know that the battle ends here. You’ll learn strategies and tools you can use in any situation to finally get it DONE. Regardless of your old habits and limiting beliefs, this section will help you find a way to make strides in anything you set your mind to: on your terms.
4) Promote: Time To Get Your Art Out!
This is the section that many creative introverts will be most challenged by: but I promise you that this is where the biggest rewards lie. You’ll learn how to market your work without feeling sleazy or pushy. You’ll learn how to identify, attract and sell to your dream clients or customers and get the exposure you so deserve. Plus, you’ll do it all in a way that suits your introverted nature.
5) Progress: Taking Stock and Correcting Course
Throughout this book you’ll find an emphasis on experimentation. This section is where this scientific approach comes into its own. You’ll learn how to run your own experiments that will show you exactly what you’re doing that is working, and what you need to tweak. The point is to have fun: this is more like the Mento and Diet Coke type of experiment than the Hadron Collider type of experiment.
6) People: Introverts Need Them Too
Just because we’re introverts doesn’t mean we can do this all alone. People are on every corner of your creative journey, and learning how to manage these relationships effectively is going to be the make or break difference in your success. This section delves into collaboration, communication and energy management.
Note: This is not a straight-forward how-to guide book. I encourage you to find your own formula. All I can give you is ingredients (Tips + Tools) and recipes (Action Steps) that myself and others have tried, and have found helpful. This is a bit of a ‘choose your own adventure’, in that I want to give you as many options as possible to find what works best for you with your personality type and preferences.
This was the good news I so badly wanted to be true when I started to understand myself better: that just because something that works for someone else didn’t work for me, does not mean I’m a lost cause. It just means there is another way to get there. This book aims to show you the other way.
If you’re ready to get started and finally build a successful creative career that fits you like a tailor made glove, then let’s get going!”
Excerpt From: The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Another esoteric experience for you today, my trip to a float tank.
This was my third visit to a float tank, though the first at this particular venue.
For those of you who don't know, a float tank or a sensory deprivation tank, is basically like a big bath tub filled with very salty water. Oh and the bath tub has a lid. So you're in total darkness and the water and air are heated to what should feel like exactly human body temperature. The effect should be that you're floating in... nothingness.
If you've seen the film Altered States, you may have slightly high hopes for float tanks, and if you've heard some people raving about them, you would probably understand why people like myself are shelling out quite a bit of cash - £50-60 is standard in my area - for an hour in a lukewarm bath.
Fun rating: 7/10This wasn't especially challenging or exciting, but it was relaxing at least.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Like so many fellow introverts, our podcast guest today grew up struggling with a deep lack of confidence and limited social skills. However, proof that these limitations are not permanent, Zach has since travelled to Asia, spending five months without staying in a single hotel- his social skills “paid” for accommodations.
I was super excited to talk to Zach, especially since I'm a big fan of solo travel and am currently planning a year of this for 2019. That said, I know travelling alone as an introvert has it's challenges, and thankfully Zach has given me lots of great advice - which you'll hear all about on today's episode.
Links mentioned: Connect with Zach:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
We've got a bit of a repeat Year of Fun adventure today, but only in that I went to another book club earlier this year, but that was (1) ages ago and (2) a very different type of event.
What made this particular book club different is... that it was at someone's house. Which is definitely a push for many introverts - rocking up at a virtual strangers house, in order to not only discuss a rather meaty book with them and their other high-brow friends, but also to dine with them - and not make a fool of one's self.
So as you can imagine, I was pretty apprehensive about this. Thankfully, I had a fellow introvert to drag along, so I wasn't going alone. I will note that we'll be doing a much much more in-depth podcast about this event on my other podcast, The Seeker and the Skeptic.
I don't have a release date for that episode just yet, but if you listen to the kind of stuff we've been doing so far, and like it, then by all means subscribe, and you'll get to hear the full low-down on the juicier aspects of the book we discussed, which was Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules For Life.
I'm going to focus on the atmosphere, the facilitation, the introvert-friendliness and of course the FUN of this event in this podcast. So, the first check box was how prepared I felt going for the first time. I was invited by an existing book club member, and had had some email back and forth with the host, John, a fellow introvert!
As an ISTJ, it's no surprise that he paid great attention to detail in making sure we were prepared, sending over questions we'd discuss in advance as well as an incredibly detailed summary of the book itself - so if you hadn't managed to read it, I reckon you could still have a really valuable evening.
I also understood the running order, and all round felt very prepared going in. And I don't know about you, but that's super important to this introvert. So if you ever feel extra nervous before going to an event, don't hesitate to ask for more information from the host. Luckily with John, I didn't have to.
So myself and Rebecca were a smidgen early, but we were warmly welcomed by John and his lovely wife, we chatted about books - including one of my favourites, The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin - and sipped wine.
The other guests started to trickle in, and I was pleasantly surprised I knew 4/5 of them! I guess I've done more networking in Brighton in the two years I've been here than I thought...
We sat down, plates loaded with delicious homemade lasagne, and started going through the questions. Again, this was all very civilised. Despite the book and moreover the author, old JBP, being somewhat controversial, we kept the peace. There were differing views sure, differing personality types (though nearly all of us were introverts) and everyone joined in.
I was a bit... awkward at times. I felt like my understanding of what Peterson is saying is a little more abstract than others, and that might come from me diving deeper into his overall work than some others had. But anyway, it gave me a lot to think about and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I didn't assume anyone was thinking I was saying anything totally stupid, and I felt like I could pipe up when I wanted.
I think part of this is down to my own passion for the subject, my own practise of talking in group environments (which does NOT come naturally to me) and John's excellent ability to facilitate a group and keep a lovely, safe environment.
Fun rating: 9.5/10This had basically everything: challenge, entertainment, friends, dessert... it only lost points for me being my awkward self.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
What the heck is confidence, really?
Your confidence is made up of three areas:
1) Self esteemThis is our judgement of how valuable we are, and how comfortable we feel being our self. So you can imagine low self-esteem statements are things like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I don’t deserve this awesome thing’ and you can also see it when people reject compliments or self-sabotage.
2) CompetenceSometimes referred to as self efficacy, this is how capable we feel at performing tasks, solving problems and achieving goals. So low competence might exhibit itself as imposter syndrome - so not feeling capable of the task at hand, feeling like you need MORE training or MORE knowledge or MORE skills. It’s different from low self esteem in that with competence you’re focussing on the skills or knowledge required, which are of course learnable - whereas with self-esteem, the feeling is deeper - more to do with your inherent worth as a human being.
3) BelongingThis relates to how well we feel accepted by others. This is more outward focussed, more to do with how others perceive us and how we ‘fit’ into society, our community or even a small group like you might find in a workshop or classroom.
It’s quite common that someone who is low in one of these areas tends to be low in the others, but it’s also possible to have low self-esteem but have high competence and/or a sense of belonging.
For example, as a ‘recovering perfectionist’ myself, and having spoken to many others this combination can pop up frequently. Perfectionists may be overly-critical and negative about their personal traits (low self-esteem) and yet see themselves as quite capable in certain areas (high competence).
A perfectionist architect might consider themselves competent at technical drawing, but feel unattractive and uncharismatic as a person. It’s easy for this to happen, because we might get encouraged in a measurable, outward-facing skill early in our lives, so we continue to excel at that because of the encouragement and validation we’re given.
But, we might not have been given or might not recognise all the positive reinforcement from the less-measurable, less-tangible qualities we have. Unconditional love is just love for the sake of love, not for performing at a certain task - is something we all need, and that’s what boosts self-esteem. The problem is, even if we have it, whether it’s from a parent, grandparent, lover or friend - it’s harder to spot.
Someone with high self-esteem can show up fully in projects and engage with people because they aren’t crippled with fear of failure or rejection. Of course they still get hurt and disappointed when things don’t go to plan, but their setbacks don’t diminish their sense of self. They are resilient, open to new experiences and relationships, have a higher tolerance to risk, and are accepting and forgiving of themselves and others.
If we hear encouraging words from those key care givers early on, whether it’s encouragement in certain tasks (competence) or in words of unconditional love (self esteem) then we can develop a strong sense of belonging. This is the only element in the triad of confidence that I can’t see being cultivated from within. This really is dependent on those around us.
Which is a bummer if you’re a highly independent introvert. On the upside, I’ve seen a STRONG correlation between raising competence and self esteem (even if that’s generated from within) and a rise in belonging. Why? How? Well, the more competent and sure of themselves a person is (er, to an extent) the more likely others are to approve of them. That’s how our monkey minds work.
It’s hilarious really, when you think of some of the ‘guru’ figures out there. Whether it’s a rock star or some spiritual leader, they tend to have an abundance of self-confidence, and that alone attracts people. Even if those guru characters are full of hot air in reality.
I’ve been trying to analyse what it is that draws me to certain thought leaders, and repels me to others. Regardless of their personality type or their talents, I have to admit they all have an air of confidence about them. However, this also comes with a limit. Someone who is overly confident and doesn’t back it up with skills (so high self-esteem without the competence in an area I can measure or observe) I’m repelled.
The thing is, this is all relative. My judgement of someone’s competence says more about my tastes and values than it does about that person. And naturally, someone could look at my work and deem me incompetent, and therefore see any self-esteem I show as unwarranted, and therefore they won’t approve of me. Therefore, I don’t get rewarded by that sense of belonging from them - they’re effectively saying: I don’t want you in my tribe, thank you very much.
For this reason, my theory is that consciously or unconsciously, many of us more thoughtful, introspective souls try to purposely lower our self esteem in order to match the lowest possible opinion someone might have about our work - our competence.
If I take my sporting ability - which is unquestionably my greatest weakness in terms of outwardly observable skills, it’s safe to say I have low competence in this area. But if I use this as a measuring stick to assess my self-esteem, I end up with low competence AND low self-esteem. So when someone from another tribe sees me, they’ll likely judge me as a bit lame and insecure, and probably won’t give me much approval and acceptance. So, I don’t get my sense of belonging either.
Let me elaborate: if you tie your competence with your self-esteem, you’re in for a lot of trouble. You could end up like a guru or a narcissist, full of hot air because they’ve overinflated their self-esteem, and it’s NOT backed up by their competence. OR you risk lowering yourself to one of the few things you’re not so good at - we all have them. Either way, you’re going to alienate others, and that sense of belonging goes unfulfilled.
So what’s the solution? What’s the right balance? How do you boost confidence using this funky little triad of opinions and beliefs?
Well, for starters know that your self esteem is NOT dependent on your competence. I repeat: it doesn’t matter a dam how good you are at drawing ponies or how crap you are at maths. Each and every one of us is 110% deserving of unconditional love. And you can tell from that percentage how bad I am at maths.
The good news is you DON’T have to depend on others for this esteem. The bad news is: it sure does help. Of course it helps to have someone tell you they love you unconditionally. However, if you go through life depending on others for that, you’re likely to run into some real obstacles along the way.
Finally, your sense of belonging is not set either. It isn’t dependent on how much your parents loved you or how many or how few friends you had at school. The bad news for us introverts is that to find a sense of belonging, we need to put ourselves out there a bit. We need to give others a chance to see who we are, what we’re about and form their opinions of us.
And that is fucking scary. Of course it’s scary to risk disapproval. It’s the same fear that our ancestors faced when they were trying to please other tribe members, or risk being kicked out and thrown to the wilderness.
But unlike what our ancestors faced, this is not a life or death thing. Twitter can make it feel that way, but really really: it just doesn’t matter if someone doesn’t ‘get’ you. Or that someone doesn’t see your competence, or that they’re jealous of your competence and want to tear you down to build their own fragile self-esteem (this doesn’t work by the way, not in the long run.)
Now I think we’re clear on what confidence is made up of - self esteem, competence and belonging, and we’re clear on what the elements of this triad are dependent on and what they’re not dependent on - I’m going to round this up with some things you might want to try that will give you a little boost in all these areas, without faking anything or using the dark arts to boost your confidence. Your confidence will be built on strong, stable and sincere foundations. From there, over time, your confidence will grow up big and strong and carry you through just about anything you do.
How to Boost Your Self-esteem1. Mindfulness
I know it’s not the most original recommendation in history, but my LAWD is it powerful. The truth is, we can’t change something if we don’t recognise what we can change. By simply becoming aware of our negative self-talk, we begin to distance ourselves from the feelings it brings up. The practise of mindfulness lets us recognise these thoughts and feelings, but more importantly, lets us DISTANCE ourselves from them.
Without this awareness, we can easily fall into the trap of believing our self-limiting talk, and our self esteem stays down in the dumps.
“Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that — thoughts.” ~ Allan Lokos
I really recommend the Waking Up app, from Sam Harris. I find it non-cheesy, non-preachy, and suitable for the secular-minded. There are some really powerful though experiments there too, so be prepared to have your brain changed (for the better.)
2. Exercise
I told you sport is not my forté, but even I can’t deny the benefits of moving the old body. I’ve managed to find ways of exercising I do, for the most part enjoy, like yoga, walking and… well, that’s it. But even if these were a pain in the arse (and some days they are) I can’t deny how much better I feel about myself when I exercise.
I’ve left the days of using exercise to change how I look on the outside, and use it as a tool to feel better on the inside. And I don’t think it’s a placebo - many studies show a correlation between exercise and higher self-esteem, as well as improved overall mental health. It’s empowering to know you’ve done something good for yourself, and over time those little wins add up. Plus, the physical benefits like lower heart rate, higher happy hormones and better sleep, all help the self-esteem journey. You can’t simultaneously feel like crap when your body is telling you otherwise.
3. Share the love
David Simonsen, Ph.D., LMFT, says:
“What I find is that the more someone does something in their life that they can be proud of, the easier it is for them to recognise their worth. Doing things that one can respect about themselves is the one key that I have found that works to raise one’s worth. It is something tangible. Helping at a homeless shelter, animal shelter, giving of time at a big brother or sister organisation. These are things that mean something and give value to not only oneself, but to someone else as well.”
And it doesn’t mean your contribution has to be time consuming or expensive. Something i love to do is send random emails to people - authors, artists, podcasters - who have made some impact in my life, even if it’s mini, and I thank them. Weirdly, by boosting someone else's self-esteem, mine seems to receive an equal or maybe even greater boost.
How to Boost Your Competence1. Assess yourself
As I mentioned earlier, you can’t change anything if you don’t know what you can change. Taking a kind of competence inventory is the first step towards this self-knowledge. This means making a list of the skills you have, as well as the skills you want to develop.
It’s worth noting that for each skill you want to improve on, note why you want that skill. There might be some skills you don’t have but have no real reason to improve them. So don’t! I have no ambitions to become the worlds first record-breaking 5’3” ginger powerlifter, so I’ll let that one go. I go through a process for spotting your Superpowers in the Masterclass for this month, Create with Confidence.
2. Make a mastery plan
Next, you can start to create your plan to improve on the skills you identified. If you’re feeling a little low in your competence at photographing your work, so you can post really gorgeous product shots on your Etsy store or Instagram, then google “product photography course.” I just dod a google search on that - and there are plenty!
OK so once you have some resources, decide how much time you’ll dedicate to that skill. An hour a day or a couple of hours a week? Or just a workshop next month? These are all little commitments you can make that will not only boost your competence - they’ll boost your self-esteem too because sticking to the promises we make with ourselves, is like rocket fuel for self-esteem.
3. Track your progress
On that note, to really get your moneys worth from all this skill development, make sure you keep track of your progress. I keep a yoga journal, since being told to for the teacher training course I’ve been on. I’ve noticed that writing about the classes I attend, what I’m learning, how I’m growing in my practise, is all really encouraging for my competence.
I feel like I’m making improvements, when I’ve kept a record. It means that if I have a day where I can’t hold Tree pose for more than a second, I can leaf back through my journal and remind myself that I am capable, I am improving overall, and it’s OK to have an off-day. Track your progress!
How to Boost Your Belonging1. Find your tribe
I spent far too long as a freelancer without even trying to find my tribe. Ultimately, I created my own. You might have heard of it, or even be a part of it - the League of Creative Introverts. When I moved to Brighton, I started a meet-up group to meet other creatives, and co-hosted an event for other female entrepreneurs.
But I’ve also joined in with existing tribes. If I find something piquing my curiosity, it’s never long before I start looking on Facebook for a group around that topic, or for a podcast that delves into it. I recently found Yoga tribes, Astrology tribes, Digital Nomad tribes - and in every case, I’ve found like-minds who want to connect with others, and who embrace me with open arms, whether it’s in real life or on the interwebs.
Also, note that you don’t have to be super active or vocal in these tribes, especially not at first. There’s nothing wrong with being a Facebook group lurker in my books. What might help boost your connection to the tribe, is by contacting a few individuals, to warm up.
This also fits in my self-esteem boosting practise of emailing people I admire - this is a great first step to becoming friends with someone, telling them you love their work! As long as you mean it, that is. Or maybe it’s asking a question. Either way, those private 1-1 connections are not just more introvert-friendly, they’re also more powerful for forming real bonds, rather than superficial comments on an Instagram feed.
2. Get sharing
This means sharing other people’s work and ideas, yes - that helps people notice you and see you as part of their tribe. But… yes, it also means sharing your OWN work.
Stop protesting! If you aren’t doing this already, I implore you to start somewhere. A work in progress. Something you made years ago that’s never seen the light of day.
And please, whatever you do: don’t get discouraged if no one comments, or likes or shares. This isn’t an overnight thing. This isn’t a popularity contest either.
This is about the practise of letting yourself be open enough to the opinions of others - that means both their acceptance and their rejection - and over time, attracting your tribe.
Which doesn’t happen if you’re invisible.
3. Ask for it
Ask for what? Ask for feedback. Ask for shares. Ask for help. Ask for support. Ask for ideas. Ask for opinions. All of this helps the other quiet onlookers who might be your tribe, but who are also acting invisible, to pipe up and connect with you.
We need invitations. Kind of like introvert vampires. Your tribe are likely a lot like you. And if you don’t pipe up without an invite, it’s likely they won’t either.
The truth is, introvert OR extrovert, we like to take the easy route. I’m unlikely to spontaneously think of my friend who just released their book, and ask them to come on my podcast unless they’re reminded me and ask me if they can come on the show. I need prompting as much as anyone else.
I’ve got another post all about the Art of Asking, inspired by Amanda Palmer’s most excellent book.
In short: if you want a sense of belonging, you need to ask for it. And chances are, your tribe will be grateful you did when they find out what a badass creative introvert you are.
Before I go, I just wanted to tell you about something new I’ve created. It is a foundation on what we’ve been talking about today: the foundation of self-knowledge. It’s a Masterclass, which is made up of four mini-classes, all online + ready for you to consume at your convenience.
Each mini-class has action steps to go along with it, to really help you delve into the material and really start to understand yourself; who you are, where you are and what you want. From there, like I said, you can take the first steps toward making improvements, in the areas you decide.
If you’d like to know more about this Confidence to Create Masterclass, you can check it out here. POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting the Creative Introvert podcast also gets you lots of goodies, from a Monthly Ask Me Anything to a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Build a Business You Love on Your Terms. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Oh man. I have a tummy ache.
I may have baked cookies. Shortbread, to be more accurate.
And I may have eaten more than my fair share.
I'm really not a chef, a baker or a candlestick maker - which if you've been paying attention to my Year of Fun adventures, you'll know.
But I've had this bizarre and persistent craving for shortbread recently - buttery, crumbly, preferably warm, shortbread.
And each time I attempt to satisfy that craving, I get left a bit disappointed.
Without giving you my full food critic reviews on the shortbread I've tried, I'll just summarise that store-bought shortbread, the kind that comes in a packet and is filled with preservatives and all sorts of shite, is... below average.
I even tried some festive flavoured ones from Tescos, and they were barely tolerable. I choked them down.
I will say that the shortbread in Pret a Manger is one of the finest you can get that isn't homemade, so props to Pret.
But I wasn't prepared to make a bulk purchase from the coffee shop chain, in order to get my fix on the daily.
So... that leaves me with baking my own.
And this was actually in my original list of things to do on my Year of Fun, I've just delayed it because I'm such a baking fail. I just can't seem to follow instructions.
And this was no different. I found a recipe online that involved just 3 (technically 4, but of course I left out the vanilla essence because... does anyone ever really notice the vanilla?) and they also fit my low-sugar, low-gluten diet.
This may be the first - and the last - time I ever stick a recipe on the blog, but here I go.
Makes 6 big-ass shortbread cookies.
I was meant to 'cream' the butter and sugar substitute together before adding the almond flour, but that takes either a power mixer or elbow grease, neither of which I have.
So I used my fingers. What? It totally worked AND was super therapeutic.
I think that's the part of baking that appeals to me most: the hands on bit. The getting slightly messy bit. The lick your fingers, lick the bowl bit. The don't-think-about-the-washing-up bit.
And that was it. Pre-heat oven to 175 degrees C. Bake for 15 mins, depending on how thick you made 'em.
Get your kettle ready for a nice pot of tea for when they're ready. My patience was really tested here as they come out of the oven too soft (and scalding) to handle, so I had another good 15 minutes wait to tuck in.
But OH how good they are.
Fun rating: 7.5/10I'd give it a higher score, but my mild tummy ache is telling me to be honest. Next time I do this I'll pace myself.
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, including a copy of my soon-to-be-released BOOK, The Creative Introvert: How to Live a Life You Love on Your Terms, monthly Masterclasses and much more. Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
So I thought I’d read all the books I’d ever need to read on productivity, healthy habits and getting things done. That was until… I saw the cover and title of our guest today’s latest book, Volcanic Momentum. For whatever reason, it really spoke to me and I had to dive straight in - and have the author, Jordan Ring on the podcast today.
Jordan enjoys making weird faces, creating ridiculous videos, eating apples, and playing ultimate frisbee with his wife. He believes in taking action and taking accountability for his own choices, and has made it a life goal to help people reach their ultimate potential.
We’ll be talking about what he means by Volcanic Momentum - and how you can get some going in your life, as well as overcoming fears of paralysis analysis, fear of asking and how us introverts can maximise our energy to make our big dreams a reality.
I absolutely loved chatting to Jordan, and hopefully you’ll enjoy listening in on our chat.
Links mentioned:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, from a mention in my weekly Museletter, early access and previews of new products and access to monthly workshops usually reserved for members of the League of Creative Introverts only! Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
This week I'm sharing my self-made writing retreat in Lewes that I took last weekend.
I would say lovely Lewes, because I have - in the past - really enjoyed a little wander around the small town in East Sussex, about half an hour by bus outside of Brighton, where I am. But I will admit it let me down a bit on this trip.
When I was wandering around looking for a nice coffee shop to start my writing retreat, I was stumped. I could only find about 3 nice looking spots with seats, and they were rammed to the brim. The one place I found big enough to nab a seat, Trading Post, which also has an outlet in Brighton which I love, was filled with total jerks.
I remember watching one poor elderly lady hold a door open for about 7 people, without being thanked or relieved of her kind duty. At least she made a joke of it, saying something like 'I should get paid to do this!' but that was my experience too - a lot of miserable looking, rude people. Sorry Lewes, maybe I caught you on a bad day. Maybe Brighton has spoiled me with it's warmth and politeness.
Anyway, my thinking process was, when I chose Lewes as my writing retreat location, is that it's close enough to the countryside, the South Downs, that I could maybe take a walk - not the 100 miles I walked last year, but may be a brisk half hour jaunt.
That didn't happen.
I kind of messed up on my organising. The Airbnb I stayed in - which was absolutely lovely - was a little more on the outskirts than I'd have liked. By the time I faffed around waiting for buses that seemed to get cancelled or never arrive - I ended up walking to the house from Lewes town centre, and by that time I was too pooped to do any more walking. Silly me.
Next time I do this, if I do it again, I'll set off early, making sure I can check in my bags early, leaving plenty of time to go for walkies before I settle down to writing.
The other mistake I made was that... I planned this earlier this year, thinking I wouldn't have finished my book, and that I'd need a lot more time to write.
I actually have finished my book, The Creative introvert: How to live a life you love on your terms - and now I'm just editing and sorting out the publishing part. Boring. Not exactly what I intended to be working on, but I suppose it was even better for me to be away from distraction in this lovely environment, so I could really crack on with that.
The Airbnb bed was also the most comfy bed I've ever slept on, hands down. And the host was so sweet - as were her two lovely labradors - and she even asked before I arrived what breakfast should she buy. How sweet! This is above and beyond what an Airbnb host needs to do, in my opinion, and I'm already thinking about booking again just for the change of scene.
Fun rating: 7/10 POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, from a mention in my weekly Museletter, early access and previews of new products and access to monthly workshops usually reserved for members of the League of Creative Introverts only! Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
I’ve been wondering for a while now, whether this podcast and all the work I do as the Creative Introvert, is in the intention of self-improvement OR self-acceptance. Because, I’m a fan of both - I love experimenting with ways to level up, grow or become a better version of myself… but I also know the value of settling into who I am, and maybe even loving that creature. The problem I come up against is… which is it? Can You have both? How? How can I love who I am right now, as I am - and also want to change or grow in some way? Maybe you’ve run into this same dilemma. Maybe you’ve flitted between the two. On the first of January, you’ve been all about the self-improvement. Come the 15th of Jan, you’re all about self love and self care. You might scroll through Instagram seeing messages advocating self-acceptance, love at any size, shape, colour, ability… and in the next moment, you encounter someone living their best life, in impossible luxury, with absurdly ripped abs and looking far too happy with their fiancee. It’a a bit of a mindfuck if you ask me. Are we destined to pendulum between the two? Or do we have to pick a side? I’m going to be thinking out loud as I tackle those questions today, and hopefully by the end of this podcast, we will have worked out a way to find a balance between self-acceptance, and self-improvement. The case for self-improvement A realisation I had long before I picked up - and chuckled at - my first book on self-improvement is that if you are complaining about something you have to options: either stop complaining and accept the situation, OR CHANGE IT. For whatever reason, the latter appealed to me much more, in most cases. Feeling a sense of autonomy over a situation, and having something to create or enhance - not to mention the satisfaction that went along with knowing I’ve made a positive change in my life or others - well, that’s a really addictive pursuit. If I’m feeling down in the dumps, or snappy or if I start getting sick, I take a look around. What have I been doing recently? Or not doing? What actions, or lack of, have led me to this less-than place? If I was only to accept the way things are, things could not improve - that stopped happening after I stopped being entirely dependent on my parents to wipe my bum or feed me or whatever else. We have a responsibility: our lives. We don’t have the right to complain if we haven’t even attempted to improve our situation. So with the example of me being in a crummy mood, I might notice I haven’t meditated in a week. Or I haven’t left the house all day or spoken to a loved one recently. I might try to change one of those variables, and see how I go. That’s all self-improvement is. Paying attention to your state of being, to your actions, and adjusting accordingly. It doesn’t need to be a palaver. But I’ll admit, it’s not always easy. And it has it’s problems… The problem with self-improvement What if you were to tell a child, over and over again, that no matter what they did - they were utter failures? That they were incapable, stupid, clumsy and overweight? Pointing out only their weaknesses, and never telling them how naturally wonderful they are? I cringe to think about it, but I’m sure you can imagine this kiddo is going to give up on themselves pretty fast. Without positive encouragement, knowledge of their strengths and - ideally - unconditional love regardless of what they do - they have no incentive to grow, let alone get out of bed in the morning. The problem with self-improvement without self-acceptance is that it’s quite easy to spiral into despair. If you’re treating yourself like that poor child, berating yourself for every misstep or misplaced hair - you end up with no motivation to improve. If you can’t please you, why bother? The self-improvement world is wonderful when we’re on the up… when we’re checking all the boxes, waking up before our alarm, hitting the gym… but when we fuck up? When life happens? When we listen to our intuition that tells us: mate, you need some rest… how do we treat ourselves then? Another problem with constantly striving for new heights, is that we often fail to recognise how far we’ve come. We never let ourselves stop and soak up the thing we’ve been striving for… we just keep on chasing. And whilst I do believe on some esoteric level we’re here to experience the new and to evolve… it seems a bit of a wasted life if we never get to look around at the view from each and every peak. I remember when I was in Japan, climbing up some god-awful mountain on Miyajima island, just off the coast of Hiroshima, I was told that there would be this amazing view of the ‘floating Tori gate’ - an illusion that gets created when the tide is in and you look down from the mountain to see this epic red gate. So I ploughed ahead, never looking back, just focussed on my destination which I believed was the top of this mountain, to see this epic view. And when I got to the top, I was met with utter disappointment. The views were nice, yes - but I’d MISSED the view I wanted, which was further down the mountain. A view I might have seen IF I’d taken the time to stop and look around. D’oh! This also works for a handy analogy to this self-improvement stuff: remember to look around on your way. The case for self-acceptance Let’s start by defining self-acceptance, which I’ve come to see as fully embracing who you are in the present moment. Acceptance is not only for the perfect parts of us - if indeed we can spot those - because perfection is irrelevant. Who are we to judge what’s perfect anyway? We’re lousy judges. What is perfect one day, can be pitted with flaws the next. What I love most about self-acceptance, is that it’s honest. It takes stock of who we are, what we are and where we are. It isn’t looking to the right or the left, above or below - it isn’t playing the comparison game with our neighbour, colleague or friend. In self-acceptance, we can find an honesty. It asks us to look inwards, and get really honest before making any judgement calls. We don’t have to fight against our flaws, or pretend we’re something we are not: we can literally accept ourselves as we are. We can be ok with ourselves, no matter what. And that is a powerful place to be in. The problem with self-acceptance The biggest problem I see with self-acceptance is that some people confuse it with waking up one day and just loving every little thing about ourselves, every crack and every flaw. You might have been sold this possibility, and maybe shelled out money for products that make you think it’s possible. Unfortunately, as nice as that would be - it’s really fucking unlikely. Drugs help, and I’m sure some enlightened beings do feel that kind of ecstatic self-love 24-7… but to maintain that level of self-love is quite unrealistic for the vast majority of us. On the flipside, self-acceptance can lead us to stagnation. If we pull the blanket over ourselves and disregard the world falling down around us, sooner or later, the house is going to cave in on us. Not good. Danger lurks when we get complacent. If you’ve ever ignored a rotting piece of food at the back of your fridge, you’ll know what lurks one day when you come to face it. Self-acceptance does not mean pretending everything is fine and dandy, when it ain’t. So…We’ve looked at both sides of the coin now… My conclusion? we need both, in the right doses. Taken to an extreme, neither self-acceptance nor self-Improvement are going to help us live the best, most satisfying lives we can. In that case, what can we take from either side to create one, well-rounded practise? Maybe we could call it… Self-Acceptprov? It seems that we need self-acceptance to take stock of our situation, and determine what we want to accept and what we want to change. From there, we can get our self-improvement caps on and get to work. Regardless of the outcome, we always have self-acceptance to rely on. It’s a warm base to come back to. Knowledge that we’re always going. to be works in progress, and that’s ok. Because the progress IS the fun bit. As long as we stop to take a look around, see how far we’ve come - we get to enjoy all of that. Warts and all. How to balance Self-Acceptance and Self-Improvement Lets end with a few tips to round this up:
This week I'm sharing my trip to Cambridge with my dad, to meet 'the' dad: Jordan Peterson.
Controversy aside, this was a brilliant experience - and I share some advice I got from my own dad at the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awTgtA3BuRY
Fun rating: 8.5/10Today I had the chance to talk to the lovely Jennifer Corcoran, of My Super Connector. Jennifer really is a super connector, and despite being a fellow introvert, has built an incredible network for herself – and helps others do the same.
We discuss:This is a bit of a cop out Year of Fun adventure, because I have technically recorded an experience with meditation earlier in the year.
But, forgive me! This one was different enough to warrant another podcast, at least... I think so.
So this was a lunchtime meditation session, just one hour, and a measly £5 to enter. It was held in the gorgeous grounds of the Bodhisattva Kadampa Meditation Centre, here in Brighton.
This is somewhere I've been meaning to go for ages now, having visited the other two main meditation or Buddhist centres in Brighton. This is the one with the most impressive grounds; it sits tucked away in a beautiful green area, and the inside isn't too shabby either.
In fact, this is the one centre which goes to town with the kind of ornate statues and devotional touches that I've appreciated in East Asian temples.
I don't know much about Kadampa Buddhism, but after some googling I've found that it was founded by Kelsang Gyatso in England in 1991, and may or may not be a CULT.
That dodgyness aside, it has the aim to make the Buddhist principles more readily accessible to twenty-first century living.
Which was definitely emphasised in the session I went to.
To set the scene, I was welcomed at the door, pointed to the place I could cough up my fiver, and then guided into a large spacious room, with about 5 rows of comfy chairs - and very few meditation cushions on the floor. No one chose the cushions, which is the complete opposite of the central Buddhist centre in Brighton.
I was relieved, to say the least.
Our guide through our practise was the very lovely, Caroline Dove, who certainly made me feel comfortable and that the point of today's session was to bring a practical, real-world approach to meditation.
We started with a very short, 5 minute meditation, which was pleasant enough. I felt very physically relaxed, even if my mind wasn't. I actually started to fret quite intensely that my bag containing my laptop, phone and wallet next door would be nicked by some passing opportunist. Gotta love the mind.
Then Caroline talked a bit, then we listened to a song, I guess it was a prayer... Which was a bit weird. It felt like verses that were originally written in Pali were translated then sung in a kind of awkward English. Not sure about that.
But Caroline then went into a talk about wisdom and Karma - but in a way that wasn't inaccessible or overly spiritual. It was quite matter of fact: whether or not you believe in past lives, we can probably all agree that our actions, our words and even our thoughts have some degree of impact on our wellbeing and the lives of those around us.
So I liked that. Then we had another 10 minutes meditation, in which we were encouraged to see our mind as a clear blue sky... it felt a bit like the kind of guided meditation you get on Headspace. It was nice.
To wrap up, we had a PARTNER session. Yeah: my worst nightmare. Turning to the person to your right or left and SPEAKING to them. UGH. I thought I'd escaped that possibility coming to a meditation session. You don't expect to have to speak in these things.
But Caroline was good at encouraging us, reminding us that meditation ought to be integrated, and talking about your experience is one way to do that. I have to - reluctantly - agree.
I must say I lucked out, because the person to my right was delightful and I had a really nice little chat. So I certainly left feeling like it was a worthy use of an hour, and I might even go again next week.
Fun rating: 7/10Let's face it, meditation is never going to be a rollercoaster or a trip to a puppy dog, fireworks and candy store, BUT it is a bloody pleasant thing to do in the middle of the working week, and it's nice to be in the company of other likeminds... sometimes.
What is a multipassionate?
Let’s start with getting clear on what a multipassionate actually is.
Other words to describe this phenomenon: Multipotentialite, Polymath, Renaissance Man (or Woman or whatever you identify as), Scanner, or the more derogatory Jack of All Trades, Master of None.
Emilie Wapnik is my hero in this field, so I’m going to use her most excellent definition which applies to all of these terms:
"A multipotentialite is a person who has many different interests and creative pursuits in life.
Multipotentialites have no “one true calling” the way specialists do. Being a multipotentialite is our destiny. We have many paths and we pursue all of them, either sequentially or simultaneously (or both).”
My storyI am a hardcore multipotentialite - or multipassionate - whatever you want to call it - I’ve always been into a LOT of things. As a kid, after I decided I wanted to be a Coca Cola Van Driver, a Ballerina, and an Archeologist (I loved dinosaurs and was heavily influenced by Jurassic Park) I finally settled on Artist. But even then, when I had my #1 passion, I was always dabbling in other interests.
Instead of having a collection of stamps or rocks, I had a collection of COLLECTIONS. Yep. This included plastic baggies - the kind you find buttons or drugs in - keyrings, stickers, erasers, used credit cards…
May be I was just into hoarding junk. But being INTO multiple things has followed me to this day. If you don’t know, I don’t just do the Creative Introvert. I’ve been designing websites since I graduated uni nearly a decade ago, I help clients with marketing strategy, I have another podcast (the Seeker and the Skeptic, in case you’re interested), I have an Etsy shop for my mandala art, I am learning to become a yoga teacher for crying out loud. Yeah. I have a few interests.
I always caveat this with the fact I have no children, hence the time thing.
But in any case, no matter what my number 1 focus is, I always have a few other things on the go - just to keep myself entertained.
How to know if you’re oneIt’s becoming more and more common. Us millennials are increasingly switching jobs - the median tenure for workers age 25 to 34 is 3.2 years. Laptop lifestyles are also becoming more common than they were 10 years ago - with more and more ways to make a living online than ever before.
If you consider yourself creative, it’s quite likely you also fit the bill of multipassionate too.
Are you a multipassionate?
* You’re always coming up with new ideas, whether it’s in the shower, taking a walk, drifting off to sleep * You keep a notebook at hand at all times to capture the latest greatest idea * You feel pretty low and mopey when you aren’t buzzing with new ideas - something must be off * You feel like there’ll never be enough time to get round to all your ideas - which can be annoying * You sometimes struggle to finish the ideas you start * Or you struggle to get ideas off the ground because - whoosh! There comes another idea right around the corner
Quiz: http://www.renaissancesouls.com/renaissancesoul/quiz.htm
As you can see, there are some highs and some lows when it comes to being a multipassionate.
#Multipassionate problemsOne of the lows you might have experienced is, Multipassionate Guilt. It’s the guilt that comes when we’re reminded by some book or podcast that tells us that ALL successful people must focus on ONE thing and ONE THING ONLY! That we must put 10,000 hours into our ONE THING in order to be acceptable humans.
Can’t we put one hour into 10,000 things and still live a good life??
Then there’s Multipassionate Shame. Juggling multiple careers or hobbies or ideas can lead you to feel like you still don’t have things figured out. It makes the classic networking question “So, what do you do?” a nightmare. If you’re a teacher but also a freelance copywriter who dabbles in social media consulting on nights and weekends, what do you do, really? How do you wrap up your complex personal brand into a 30-second elevator pitch?
Oh and Multipassionate insomnia. This comes from having 20 different projects on the go or floating around in your head can feel plain overwhelming. Try sleeping at night when you’re juggling that.
We can’t forget Multipassionate Despair. This is the frustration that comes with feeling the urge to burn everything you’ve built down to the ground, just to have a clean slate and start again… is quite stressful.
But the worst, in my experience, is… Multipassionate Boredom.
It’s feeling like whatever awesome - or previously awesome - stuff you had going on is now about as interesting as a pair of old socks.
It’s like gum that you’ve chewed all the flavour out of. We’re left waiting for that next idea to come to us, something - anything - to help us feel that spark of enthusiasm again.
Why it’s actually an advantageBefore we get too down on our multipassionate luck, I want to shine a light on the - many - advantages of being interested in so many things.
1. It makes for a pretty impressive resume. Having a mixture of subject matter on your resume gives you much more to talk about than your competitors applying for the same role. In an increasingly competitive job market, bringing diverse skills to the table is only a good thing. 2. You have a plan B… and C… 3. You’re more interesting. You know those people at a dinner party or networking event that have the most fascinating stories or seem to know a lot about a huge range of topics? Following your weird and wonderful interests only makes you a more interesting person to talk to. Plus, it means you can move beyond that bloody small talk much faster.
This week is a part 2 Year of Fun adventure, a follow up from the time I made a bowl at the Art & Pottery shop.
If that isn't exciting enough (!) I also make a little announcement... Tune in to find out!
Today I had the chance to talk to the lovely Alex Pearson, founder of one of the World’s Greatest Bookshops (as voted by Lonely Planet guides) and the Yurt Academy, here in Brighton.
We discuss:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here’s how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Oh boy am I hesitant about sharing THIS one: the one in which I visit a medium.
As in, someone who channels spirits.
Especially after last week's yoga one, or any of my other more New Age adventures... because this really takes the biscuit.
And at the same time, I'm certainly not judging anyone who wholeheartedly buys into this stuff, because quite honestly: I don't KNOW. I don't know whether it's possible to channel spirits of the dead, or whether there even is such a thing as spirit or soul.
But boy do I love to explore the question.
I'll preface this with a bit of an explanation: myself and a good friend (hi Rebecca!) have started a new podcast adventure, called the Seeker and the Skeptic.
If you hadn't guessed already, I'm the seeker! Yep, I'm the one standing up for a lot (though not all) of the weird things we investigate, from mediums to astrology to pyramid healing. You should be able to find it in your podcast player, just search the Seeker and the Skeptic.
Anyway, this trip to our local Spiritualist church was part of that investigation, and the plan was to go for something called a 'Demonstration of Mediumship.'
Sounded pretty harmless. I'd seen mediums on TV before, and as a kid, found it captivating... but I rapidly became suspicious. Because, logically, if I was a ghost, why on earth would I be hanging around these people? If I wanted to communicate with someone I loved, I'd surely send the message in the form of something likeable, like a cat or a donkey, not in some creep charging lots of money for the message.
Anywho, we went along, and did not pay a lot of money - it was £3 entry which seemed fair. The church itself looks very unchurchy from the outside, and any listeners from Brighton would likely recognise it's wavey concrete facade.
Inside however, it looked much like a regular church, or at least the entrance before you step into the main room... I'm sure there's a proper word for that but I don't know it. Bad Catholic.
OK so we sat down in a small room, a bit like a chapel, with 30 or so others. I assume they all came believing in spiritualism, or at least mediumship. So we were on our best behaviour: at least I think we were.
The medium was introduced, a woman with a very friendly face, a roundness I associate with a kindly aunt. She began by saying how nervous she was, which made me warm to her further - I know how nerve-wracking it is to speak to a crowd of expectant faces, but can't imagine how intense it is when those faces are expecting you to channel their dead relatives. Yikes.
Anyway, she got to it. She usually started with something like a letter, 'I'm getting an M' or something more obscure, like 'shoes' - though she's often say where the idea came from, like she said she couldn't stop looking at someone's shoes.
The first was a dud - the young girl she spoke to seemed to know nothing about the grandmother that was being channeled. But the next one blew me away in the accuracy of detail.
Whatever was going on, whether the audience were being nice and polite by agreeing with the medium's suggestions, OR there really were some spirits communicating - I did love that the medium always ended with a nice, sweet message.
'Just keep doing what you're doing' or 'Be brave, you are loved' that kind of thing. It can't hurt to hear nice, comforting words like this, regardless of what the source is, right?
Anyway, I had a lovely time - though I'm not sure my skeptic friend was convinced.
Fun Rating: 7.5/10Do I recommend going to visit a medium? Um... not if it means investing your life savings, but I do think it's worth seeing these people in the flesh and judging for yourself before you make an assumptions either way. This is why I love skepticism: it never assumes, only questions. A healthy attitude to have in these days.
I have a bit of a personal one today, that comes from a lesson I’ve struggled a lot with learning.
See, some of the stuff I share with you are lessons I’ve learned fairly easily, I see a better way of thinking or doing or being and I change my ways, without too much fuss.
Others…
Well, others I’m still learning. And each time I think I’ve got it - I get thrown back on my ass again, like someone telling me to get back in the ring, we’re not done!
Anyway, this lesson is more on that side. A bit of a slippery one, I tend to forget… until I realise I’m feeling all the feels. Exhausted. Frustrated. Resentful. Even mistreated.
But in any case, the only one who is ever mistreating me… is, ME!
OK so the lesson is: It’s OK to NOT do it.
It’s a bit of a weird one, because most of the advice or lessons or ponderings I share with you are actions to take or ways of doing things - but this one, this one is about NOT doing.
It’s about… identifying what you really don’t have to do. Moreover, it’s about dropping the GUILT that comes from not doing the thing.
Let’s get into some real examples.
Going out with friends.
A job from a client.
A collaboration with a fellow creative.
A new morning routine.
In any case, if you were to consult your rational, thinking mind, you’d probably rest on the side of doing the thing, going ahead with it despite your resistance because there are perfectly good reasons to. It will benefit you in the long run. Or it will make someone else happy. Or it will make you money.
All good things!
Unless, you’re soul is telling you otherwise.
OK, I won’t go too far down the esoteric rabbit hole here, but I will admit I believe in some part of us - and it may only be the unconscious mind, parts of our mind that we don’t have conscious awareness of, emotional centres and so on - but whatever you believe, I think most of us have a sense of something that feels, but doesn’t necessarily think. It’s THAT part of me I want to pay attention to more.
Why? Can’t I just overwrite my feelings with my more modern, progressive, thinking mind (the neocortex?) Well, no. Sorry. No matter how advanced you think you are, you’re still subject to the older part of your brain: and ignoring the signals it’s giving you is unlikely to end well.
It usually ends up in the therapists office.
But the good news is, is that this part of us - the soul or the unconscious - is giving us clues about what we should and shouldn’t do. It gives us clues about how we really feel about that group of friends, or what time we should wake up in the morning.
I’m using the word ’should’ here, even though I’m not a fan. The only time I like to use it is in this context: because in my experience, the only thing we should do is pay attention to what ’s best for us - and I know that might sound selfish, but the result of NOT doing what’s best for you is that you are going to be less helpful to those around you, in the long run.
OK so back to these clues we’re getting.
What kind of clues show up when you’re trying to force yourself to do something you don’t, deep down, want to do?
In mild cases, you might just feel a bit annoyed or less joyful than usual when you think about doing it. You might - unconsciously - procrastinate instead of doing it.
You might lose sleep over it. You might feel resentful to people involved. I turn into a moody little bitch.
In extreme, cases that extend over time, you might become chronically ill. Yeah. I’ve read some evidence to suggest that this is the kind of thing that leads to chronic illnesses, and while I’m definitely no expert, I do respect those who are doing research into this and the connections our mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing have.
OK so, before I start scaring you shitless - let’s go through the protocol I’ve been using to help you STOP doing the things you don’t really want to do.
1. Identify what’s not workingSo the first step in saying no to something is of course, to work out what that thing is. It’s also the part where you have to determine whether it’s truly something that you don’t want to do and isn’t in alignment with your most ‘true’ self - OR is it just plain old fear rearing it’s head.
I won’t pretend this is easy, and no one but you can know what’s best - so I’d steer clear of advice from others on this one, UNLESS you take all the advice you get with a very hefty grain of salt. All the advice you get is telling you about the advice GIVER - not about you, so you can see it’s usually irrelevant. However, if you want to gather advice from others - particularly those who have been in a similar position before or whose opinions have proved useful in the past - feel free to do so.
One thing that can be helpful is to ask someone for advice, then check your response to what they say. The resistance or relief you feel will be a dead giveaway.
And that’s how this step works: that’s how you identify what’s not working. You feel inside for what brings up resistance OR what brings up relief.
A question I like to ask myself is: how would I feel AFTER I do (or don’t do) this thing. If it’s relief, then I follow through. If it’s ickiness, then I do something else. Asking yourself how you’ll feel AFTER is often very different to how you’ll feel DURING the thing. If you’re only paying attention to how you feel DURING something, you’ll likely be steered by your fear, not by your true self.
For example, public speaking. 9/10 times during the speaking gig I feel like CRAP. Anxious, insecure, judged, sweaty - all of it. But after? I feel amazing. So 9/10 times, I know it’s right for me to speak, despite the fear I have before and during.
OK so take some time to identify the stuff that makes you feel ICKY.
2. Have the difficult conversationsNow you know what you don’t want to do, it might be you have to have some difficult conversations. It might be telling a client you can’t take on their crappy project.
It might be telling a friend you can’t go to their house party. It might be more serious than these things, but hopefully you get the drift.
In any case, I want to encourage you not to bottle out at this step! This is the one that might require face-to-face communication, and some seriously uncomfortable moments. But keep in mind: this too shall pass.
No matter how badly someone takes your news, please be aware that the good folk will stick around if they’re worth your time and energy. The people who aren’t good for you will fall away. But this only works IF you’re true to yourself. Speak your truth, take the fallout, and wait to see what (and who) sticks by you, regardless of your truth.
3. Set your boundariesI’ve got a whole mini-course on boundaries in the Creative Introvert Academy, but to summarise: boundaries are basically mental agreements you have with yourself, and sometimes others, about the world around you. So, a boundary for me might be: I don’t work in-house for design agencies for less than a certain amount of cash or over a maximum amount of days.
You might have personal ones, like you don’t speak to your mum on the phone more than once a week because it takes over your life or makes you feel like shit otherwise. In some cases you’ll tell others, in some cases you won’t: be your own judge of that. The important thing is that you are aware of your own boundaries, and keep the deal with yourself going forward.
4. Find your rhythmI learnt this one recently from Rob Bell, who has an awesome podcast.
He was talking about having a rhythm that for him is something like every 6 months of work, he needs a solid break, I can’t remember how long for but it’s substantial, a month or more.
And that just applies to work; a rhythm could also apply to socialising or exercise or other parts of your life.
For you, may be your party rhythm is once a week, or once a month - or if you’re me, once every blue moon.
This does take some tweaking, but once you start to spot your rhythm, knowing it is invaluable. I know I need social contact every 3 days because if I don’t, I turn into a genuine hermit: I find it difficult to form proper sentences, and my personal hygiene starts to suffer. Not good! but I also know that if I have social events back to back for more than 3 days, I become exhautsed and grouchy.
But when I figured that out, I made changes. I make sure to have some kind of social event planned even if it’s a yoga class or a coffee chat every 3 days or so.
5. Check inPart of this process is making regular check ins with yourself, to figure out if you’re staying true to your needs, managing your energy and to remind yourself of what you’re learning. If you had a really exhausting week, reflect on that. What got in your way? What did you feel pressure to do? What can you change next week?
Your checkins don’t have to be daily, though I do journal every morning without fail, they could be weekly. And they don’t have to be in writing, you might prefer to talk to your cat or your partner or a friend about how you’re doing.
Or you could do this as a meditation: getting into your body and figuring out from there how you’re doing and what you might need more or less of.
6. Forgive yourselfThis is a process - and often, a messy one. There might be some sleepless nights, difficult conversations, hurt feelings, misunderstandings, broken promises, and so on.
BUT. I promise you: this is worth it. Because - and yes I’m going to say it - YOU’RE worth it. You’re worth respecting! That means, YOU have to respect your needs.
That means: you might have to say NO, despite what others want you to do.
So. Just know it will pay off. You’ll feel so, so much better when you’re living from a place that feels true, authentic and leaves you feeling energised and empowered.
Ahhh trust me - it really does feel good.
OR you could ignore everything I’ve just said, because… I’t OK NOT TO DO IT, including what I’m saying!
POWERED BY PATREONThis podcast is made possible only by means of my generous supporters on Patreon. Thank you! Supporting this project gets you lots of goodies, from a mention in my weekly Museletter, early access and previews of new products and access to monthly workshops usually reserved for members of the League of Creative Introverts only! Hitting milestones also funds future projects, and ideas guided by you, my supporters.
Oh yes, I will not deny this one is a bit left field. I mean, how often have I mentioned yoga on this blog or podcast, ever?
When I told some friends that I was going to be taking a YTT 200 - or a yoga teacher training course that leaves me minimally qualified to teach yoga - well, it's fair to say they were quite surprised.
They were polite about it, but I was met with comments like 'wouldn't that be like me, someone who can't speak Japanese, deciding to spend a few weekends learning and then start teaching?'
Which, is understandable. I'm not the kind of yogi you see on Instagram standing on their head, with the sun setting in the background...
But I have actually been practising for about 6 years.
Yeah. It's been a fair old while, and even though I hadn't considered the possibility of being able to teach until earlier this year, yoga has been a big part of my life.
In fact, it was the thing that I attribute to sparking my self development journey, and the thing that pulled me through the darkest times back when I worked in London at an office.
Anyway, I'll save the full story of why I decided to take the training for another day, but let's just say I was inspired by my trip to Peru to spend more time helping people face to face, then from behind my laptop screen.
I also believe strongly in cultivating group environments that are 100% introvert friendly - because I know how valuable this has been in my own life, and how I feel in a group that is NOT introvert friendly.
One of my Leaguers (in the League of Creative Introverts) Kesse Hodge is flying the flag on making yoga super inclusive and accessible, so if you are interested in more of that, do check out change.yoga.
Ok so let's get to the training! A quick overview, this course is going to take up 3 full days each month till January, which isn't a big time investment, but for those weekends: it's pretty intense for this introvert!
I haven't spent a full 9-5 with a group of strangers in a closed setting since... working in that office in London, which I left back in 2013.
So yeah, I was nervous about how I'd fare, energy-wise.
I was also nervous about my yoga ability. Yeah, I've been practising for a while, but mostly... from Youtube. Not exactly the most disciplined practise, though I do owe so much to Yoga with Adriene.
Anyway, I got my big girl yoga pants on, and went with an open mind.
And I was pleasantly surprised.
First of all, everyone on the course is bloody lovely. Of course they are - they do yoga!
And the teachers, of which there are 3, are all amazing in their own way. One of them is like a big sister, one of them is like a mum, and one is like the cool aunty who was likely a hippy back in the day.
So yeah, good people, a good start.
Then there's the learning.
I roughly break this down to anatomy - of which there is a LOT - so I have a newfound respect for yoga teachers, at least ones trained in anatomy. Then there's philosophy, which I was honestly VERY skeptical about. I mean, as soon as I hear the word 'chakra' in a yoga class, I cringe.
But I will say our teacher made the subject super interesting, regardless of what you choose to believe. Then there's the practical stuff: how to teach each pose, and actually doing yoga, of course.
Which it's fair to say I'm struggling with, but the more I do it, the more I love it and - I'm already seeing improvements now I understand the underlying mechanics of each pose.
Ugh! You guys: this is SO fascinating for me.
I've also been pleasantly surprised with how much of a loud mouth in class I am. I think part of this is coming from my own sympathies with the teacher. I know how it feels to ask a question in a workshop and get NO response, so I'm quick to raise my hand if no one else is to ease that pain.
I also think this has a lot to do with how comfortable I feel with the other people in the group, nothing like school where I did NOT feel comfortable. And then there's my overall passion for the subject: again, nothing like most classes in school.
Of course, I'm still thinking about my energy. I was wiped out after the first day, and could do very little when I got home. But I'm not feeling cranky-drained, so that's good. I'm making sure to get off on my own during the lunch break, which seems to restore my energy somewhat.
And I discovered a homemade Bounty bar that the cafe nearby makes, which is definitely helping with my energy ;)
There's only been one faux-pas so far: that was our first trial of teaching a class. Actually, we only had to teach a sun salutation A, which is like 2-3 minutes long. but I of course had to have notes, and insisted on reading them, quite blatantly. Teacher told me off, kindly, but enough to make me feel a bit shit.
I know I need to get over my fear of 'winging it'; I know I can teach without notes, I know I could do this podcast without notes but... still, my notes are a crutch and one I have promised myself I WILL work on.
We're all work in progress, and if I'm honest, I don't mind that. I like having something to work on, something to improve at, something to learn.
I guess that's why I'm having so much fun on this course.
So my fun rating is:
Fun Rating: 9/10I'm hardly going to recommend all of you to go out and take a YTT course, but if you are into yoga already, may be consider going to a workshop or a longer class, local to you. It's amazing how learning more about the practise can really boost your enthusiasm for it.
I'll be sharing more of my yoga journey at YogisWhoShave.com and on Instagram at @yogiswhoshave
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Cat Byrne of Gatto Web, someone who I have a lot in common with - and not just the name.
What we talked about:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten playing with a laser beam (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a 3 hour workshop on Botanical Illustration with the Yurt Academy.
Honestly I was a bit nervous before I went, partly because I've never attempted a formal illustration class, though I've done a fair amount of life drawing. Also, botanical illustration is no joke! If you can picture a traditional botanical illustration, you know it's super detailed, highly realistic in most cases, and very delicate almost painstaking work.
Whilst I've always been a fan of detailed work, I'm not exactly the most patient when it comes to art - so never really got far with more detailed, delicate stuff.
So with my insecurities aside, I went along anyway.
Another thing that added to my nerves was our teacher, or Yurt Keeper - Cherry Denman, who is a proper real-life, full-time illustrator - who's published books and worked on a book for one of my favourite TV shows, Q.I.
The idea of embarrassing myself in front of her wasn't too appealing, but fortunately for me she was a lovely woman with a great sense of humour, super encouraging to all of us, and a damn good teacher in my opinion.
We started the class with some simple (in theory) drawing exercises. The idea here was to show us the importance of looking. Trying to draw a bicycle from memory will do that for you.
Then we practised our pencil control - drawing cones, spheres, tubes, practising pencil pressure and shading - the lot.
It reminded me that no matter how long we've been drawing for, there's nothing like going back to the basics and getting warmed up again for taking your work to the next level.
OK so then we got onto our 'work of art'...
I selected a nice leaf, the name of which I've of course forgotten... it looked a bit like a fig leaf (to me) - anyway, if you can identify it - please let me know!
We started by drawing, which was my favourite part. Actually painting it was another matter, but I was pleasantly surprised by the end result.
Cherry came around to each of us regularly to give us pointers and encouragement. The whole group seemed to be enjoying it, but I might have been projecting my own enjoyment onto the room - I had that much to go around.
I mean, when do we ever get a chance to sit down and really draw, or paint? Unless it's your job, but even then - you're making art on behalf of someone else. There's a point to it.
This felt much more like art for art's sake. Like what ladies of leisure would do in Victorian times. It was also nice to do it with others - to laugh about our mistakes and egg each other on.
If you can't tell, I had a very nice time. I definitely wasn't in my comfort zone to begin with, but by the end I had decided that I was going to take on Botanical Illustration as my next hobby... not that I need another one, but hey - it's good to have back up plans.
Fun rating: 9/10The perfect balance of challenge, pleasure and reward. I would highly recommend going to a similar art class if you have any local options, or even checking out some of the workshops offered by the Yurt Academy if you're in the UK.
Oh and if any of you are botanical illustrators, get in touch and send me a link to your work! I'd love to learn more about this beautiful art form.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about introversion is that we are all shy, quiet and social recluses. It’s just not true!
In fact, both introverts AND extroverts can be shy - it really all depends on other social factors and life experiences.
In short, introversion/extroversion is more to do with where you get your energy from. Introverts tend to get their energy recharged by spending time alone, whereas extroverts tend to get their energy from being around people and interacting with others.
OK - with that cleared up, I’d like to move onto another myth - and this is one that I’ve held in the past - clung onto it, in fact.
And that is: that if you’re an introvert, you’re better off doing as much as you can alone. I took this energy from spending time alone thing SERIOUSLY.
Five years ago I quit my job as a web designer in a busy little London agency in order to go freelance. I wanted to work for me, myself and I. The less people I had to deal with - the better.
I was also under the impression that I would get clients and commissions purely from people finding me online, through my fancy website.
I sat back, and waited for the jobs to come in.
And before long… I started to panic. It turns out, my theory of just attracting clients through my website was not going to fly. I actually had to go out there and meet other people. Yikes.
Now, I don’t know about you but I am pretty allergic to networking. A bunch of strangers standing around, pushing business cards in each others face, totally bored and uninterested - most people just desperate to get a new lead. Pretty gross.
This creates a bit of a dilemma, if you’re an introvert trying to build a business or go self employed. If the one thing you need is people - connections, recommendations, referrals - but you only have so much energy for these networking events - what do you do?
I struggled with this for quite a while until I - accidentally - realised there were other ways to meet people, connect on an authentic level and actually get a lot of new business. All without having to play ‘extrovert’ or be something you’re not.
Now, I’d love to share with you the three discoveries I made in my years of experimentation. These are the discoveries that led to me ultimately being booked out, collaborating with people who are top of their game, and doing things that I couldn’t have fathomed doing alone - like co-hosting Wildfire Women, a live event for ambitious, creative women coming up this October.
Ok so without further ado… let me share the first of these three discoveries:
1) We need CommunityI grew up thinking that community was something for people who lived in small villages, not for someone who grew up in London suburbs. In the same way, I assumed that as a small business owner, I could do everything myself.
I assumed that as an introvert, I was better off alone, and that anyone doing the same work as me was competition. This mindset is a scarcity mindset. It assumes there isn’t enough of the pie to go around.
Not only is this totally untrue - it is actually harmful to hold this belief. It prevents you from getting the support that emotionally we ALL need, regardless of whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert.
Having a community of like minds who you can meet for coffee, co-work with, bounce ideas off, get questions answered and get encouraging words of support is so, so vital - especially if you’re attempting to build a business or take on a big project.
And I’ve found that the more you cultivate a community, the more opportunities arise - the pie starts to expand, not get gobbled up.
When I moved to Brighton, I didn’t go to intimidating networking events - I went to Meetup groups - if you’re familiar with Meetup.com you might know there are tonnes to choose from - something for everyone.
And if there isn’t one that suits you? Start one! I started my own creative meetup group and before long, I had formed solid friendships, gained clients and contacts and I did it all in a way that felt suited to my introverted tendencies.
So, have a think about how you might be able to join in in your local community - it might be yoga classes, mum’s coffee mornings, creative writing groups - have a look around and give it a try. I promise they’re much nicer than most formal networking groups and you never know what might come from it.
Ok next up, discovery two is…
2) Magic happens when we CollaborateSomething else that came out of my dabbling in community is collaboration. This is the combined effort of two or more people, for a mutually beneficial cause.
Again, my introversion made me very skeptical about collaboration - i figured if you want something done right, you’ve got o do it all by yourself.
How wrong I was. For one, I was missing the fact that I didn’t have all the skills required to do many of the big dream projects on my bucketlist, like create a live event.
I so badly wanted to create an event that was introvert friendly, that inspired us without leaving us feeling slightly depressed because the speakers were so perfect and so different from us that we can’t possibly soar to their levels of success. I wanted an event where I would feel welcomed, comfortable and included. I wanted to be able to talk to the speakers, learn from them and ask questions and walk away feeling ready and raring to take action, and make my wildest dreams happen.
Oh - but I knew doing this alone would never happen. I needed an extrovert, someone with a very different skillset to mine, and someone I could get on with and giggle with even when things got tough.
Amazingly, I did find this person, Thea Anderson - who you heard from on this episode of the podcast, but I would never have found Thea had I not been open to community and collaboration.
I had to let go of my control as a self-sufficient introverted solopreneur, and be open to sharing the workload, and admitting where I needed help.
The result was hosting a phenomenal live event last year that was everything we had dreamed of, and coming back this year once again to level up even more, at this year’s Wildfire Women.
Where in your life can you share the load? Where can you collaborate? This doesn’t have to be in business or work related - it might be in your personal life. May be it means asking for help when in the past you’d try to take on even more and struggle with the load. Who in your life has complementary strengths and skills to you? Have a think and may be ask them if they’d be up for joining forces.
Finally, we have my third discovery:
3) Success depends on CommunicationNow, one of the things that kept me stuck in my lonely loop of doing everything myself was… I was afraid to ask. I was afraid to communicate what I needed to anyone else.
Without this piece, communication, you’re unlikely to get very far with community or collaboration - because no one will know what your dreams are, what you can offer or how you can help each other.
It’s true: good communication does require a level of vulnerability that many of us, introvert or extrovert, do struggle with. It feels like we’re laying down our armour as we prepare for a reply that isn’t what we hoped for.
Of course, no one says this better than Brené Brown:
“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they're never weakness.”
And communicating our needs is anything but a weakness. What I’ve discovered time an time again is the pleasant surprise that: people on the whole, really like to help. People really want to connect and they want to collaborate.
When you give someone the opportunity to join forces with you, anything is possible.
More on asking for introverts >>
OK so community, collaboration and communication - my three discoveries which hopefully will be of some help to you, regardless of what your big dreams are.
And as I mentioned, we’ll be showing what comes from these three C’s very soon, at Wildfire Women happening on October 6th, in London.
We’ll have incredible speakers you’re no doubt familiar with: Psychologies editor-in-chief, Suzy Walker, as well as Cate Mackenzie, Mary Fenwick and so, so many more.
Like I said, we make a big effort to cultivate an environment that suits both introverts and extroverts, we’ll make sure you feel welcome and you’ll walk away with real advice and action steps to apply to your own calling.
I've been in two minds trying to decide what fun I could share with you this week - you might have noticed I missed last week's fun update, and that was because I was away in Menorca (a small Balearic island) and had a pretty impossible wifi connection.
So my debate was whether or not I should tell you about my trip to Menorca, or tell you about what I did over the weekend (host a creative meetup).
The creative meetup won out, because Menorca was... well... you don't need to hear about me reading by the pool or my dislike of hot weather - which, if you read my Museletter you are probably very sick of after the summer we had.
So: the meetup!
Now, I feel like I've mentioned meetups in the past - specifically the kind you can find and create on Meetup.com, which is the platform I use. Not affiliated with them, and honestly I'm not a fan of them as a company because their customer service SUCKS, but for someone who is interested in meeting new people and doing new things - it's a pretty great option.
OK so I might have also told you that when I first moved to Brighton from London, I was at a bit of a loss. I realised my introversion had its limits, and my tendency to hermit myself had increased to the point of vitamin D definiciency. I'm kidding - redheads make extra vitamin D so that wasn't a problem.
But I was definitely craving the company of people - even if it was for a few hours a week.
I also wanted to do something creative that didn't involve the laptop... which, if you're anything like me, isn't so easy to motivate yourself to do. I needed accountability.
So yes, I created a meetup group. This was called Creative Cafe, and consisted of a Saturday morning, 11-1pm, in a cafe (or a pub actually) and anyone who came was welcomed, but also left alone if they wanted to work on whatever creative project they wanted.
I actually handed over ownership of the group some months back - I moved further away, to Hove, and ultimately needed a break.
But since my energy has picked up again, I've been craving my weekend morning creativity and social boost, and so... I started another group.
So my new group is called Caffeinated Creatives and just like with Creative Cafe, I've made sure to do things on my terms, and remember that people who want the same will be drawn to it, and people who don't... won't. That's my first tip for meetups: suit yourself, at least at the beginning. There's no point in doing something you're uncomfortable with, because YOU won't want to go!
I also chose a time I'm usually free, and at my creative peak: 10:30 on a Sunday morning. I limited this one to just 1.5 hours, with time afterwards put aside in case anyone wants to book in a quick Q+A session with me and of course people can stay at the cafe for as long as they like.
I'm not trying to pitch this to you because I know most of you aren't anywhere near Brighton, but if you are, I'll stick the link in the shownotes in case you do want to pop down on Sunday.
So the first one went very well: I met some lovely people, writers, artists, even a life coach - and all were super friendly. I chatted a bit, but I also got some mandala drawing done - yes, still my go-to creative outlet, especially if I want to be able to chat and work at the same time. That said, I'm going to accommodate my fellow writers as well, and make sure we've always got a quiet table for quiet work - and any hardcore introverts who want a time out. Which may sometimes be me.
All of this is to try and make the point that I often come back to: balance. We introverts do have a certain quota for alone time to fill, and a certain quota for people time. I truly believe there are only extreme rare cases when someone is a true hermit or does better off in a cave in the mountains... and I know I'm not one of them.
And that isn't easy: because with the rest of us, we need to work out this balance, and honour it. Sometimes that goes a bit wrong and we overdo our solo time or our social time, and need to address that. That's why a meetup like this is so great for me anyway, because I can use it to balance those needs - and get my creative needs met too.
Fun rating: 8/10In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Jean Smith, social and cultural anthropologist and social intelligence coach.
This podcast is BY FAR the one I’ve most hesitated to publish because… I get coached. I don’t get coached on something you might expect either - not a topic we normally tackle on the podcast, but one I’ve been really hoping to, because it undoubtedly effects pretty much everyone at least if you’re… single.
What we talked about:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a lamb frolicking in sunshine (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Have you ever been asked what your superpower would be, if you were a superhero? I always struggled to pick between being able to fly and being invisible. Typically introverted answers: picking the two superpowers that would let me escape extroverted situations…
More than being a fun game to play when you’re six, this is a great question to ask yourself throughout life. Your superpowers don’t have to be extraordinary or win you any awards, let alone save the world… they are simply the abilities you have that come easier to you than most, and that energise you more than most.
Individually, they may not strike you as special at all – in fact, until you hear this podcast episode, you might not be aware of them at all – but when you do identify them and start to harness them more, you start to see evidence of your true capabilities.
Stop focussing on your kryptonite!Introverts tend to be especially critical of themselves, because of our tendency to focus inward so much. Unsurprisingly, treating yourself too critically can easily reduce your self esteem. Low self esteem makes life a lot more challenging. In short: you want to bolster your self esteem, not tear it down.
It does serve us to be critical when it comes to honing our skills; being able to accurately assess where you’re at is one of the core ingredients to getting to where you want to go. But there will be nothing to assess and improve at without first acknowledging what your superpowers are.
Not sure what your Superpowers are yet? That’s OK: here are some ideas to get the ball rolling, based on what we know about the nature of introverts.
1. You’re probably considerate of othersThis is particularly helpful when it comes to communication with others. It means an introvert doesn’t give too much away and can be more deliberate and diplomatic in their speech.
It also makes us less quick to make judgements – which, when done without much thought, can land an extrovert in hot water.
However, overthinking can lead to unnecessary anxiety. Anxiety about speaking your mind can mean you appear closed off and distant to others and hinder real connection forming, which is vital for trust and forming long-lasting relationships.
2. You’re probably a deep-thinkerWhat they say has gone through a natural mental filter, which tests how accurate, important and appropriate something is.
This means that a 1-to-1 conversation can be very rich and full of depth, leading to more meaningful friendships.
The downside to this is that it takes a while for our thoughts to mature and develop to a state where we’re ready to let them out into the world. This is definitely a drawback in heated, fast-paced debates.
It also means on the whole we’re averse to small talk - again, not the best at dinner parties or networking events.
3. You’re probably quite focussedYou can pay attention to those you are speaking to. Which is great if you’re speaking to one person, but even at a larger scale this can be picked up. For example a lecture in a theatre will often be able to notice if there’s someone paying true attention to them: and this will mean a lot to them.
The problem is for introverts who in turn, also need to focus quite intensely in order to get a good understanding of something. This is particularly true for highly sensitive introverts who struggle to maintain focus in an overstimulating environment.
4. You’re probably very attentiveAs a result of our focus, introverts also make for great at paying attention to others, making for great listeners. There is a difference between passive listening: which usually looks like someone who is purely being quiet out of politeness, and is really just waiting for their conversational partner to finish speaking. Active listening however looks like someone who has all there attention focussed on you, and who is getting ready not to just speak their own opinions or to steer the conversation in their own self serving direction, but to dig deeper into the last thing you said.
The downside is introverts can also pay too much attention to what others are thinking about themselves: which can cause stress and anxiety when doing something that exposes you to the public.
5. You’re probably independentCompared to extroverts, who very much rely on the responses and feedback of others, introverts are less concerned with their outside world. This is particularly true for the more left-brain, analytical introverts (usually ISTJs, INTJs, ISTPs, INTPs - check out Marti Olsen Laney for more on left-brain introversion.)
This gives introverts greater ability to be selfless: to create from a place that is not driven by vanity or muddied by the opinions of others.
6. You’re probably empathicThey have the ability to tune into their communication partners and this is done through intuitive strength rather than using any sleazy influence tactics.
Mirror neurones are a real thing: and both introverts and extroverts have them but could it be that introverts, particularly highly sensitive people, are more able to tune into them?
Empathy is a great skill, whether it comes naturally to you or you learn to develop it. It means people are quicker to trust you and feel less threatened by you.
Now we've talked about the generic introvert superpowers, let’s talk about your unique Superpowers - the ones that set you apart from the next creative introvert. You might have some or even all of the introvert superpowers, this isn’t where your Superpowers end. You have your own unique Superpowers, that distinguish you from the next creative introvert and that will make you the one fit for your life purpose.
Not sure what your unique Superpowers are? That’s understandable. One of the mistakes people make when identifying their Superpowers is that they immediately think of their abilities in areas that society tends to deem the most important. You might think of your academic history… and how difficult you found maths. You might think of sporting achievements… and remember you were always picked last for teams. You might think of your workplace history… and remember how you always got passed by for promotions.
In focussing on the big, obvious (and actually very insignificant) roles society has suggested you play, you end up missing the Superpowers you do have in other areas.
It can help to think about something that doesn’t feel emotionally loaded. For example, baking cakes with your mother when you were a child - or baking cakes with your children now.It’s these little moments that bring us joy, boost our energy and feel so easy to us that point to our actual Superpowers.
ACTION STEPS:1) Have a Superpower brainstorm by jotting ideas down from the following questions:
• What are you really good at? • What comes naturally for you? • What activities make you feel energised? • What quality do you bring to an activity? • What do you get asked for help with by others?
2) Put your Superpowers to use
It’s one thing to have a nice list of things you can keep in your wallet when you need a pick-me-up (which I do recommend) but it’s another to actually put these to use as much as possible in your daily life.
Now you have your list (you can also add the typical introvert Superpowers too if they resonated with you) start to list real life ways you can use these Superpowers.
For example, if one of my Superpowers is being attentive, I know I can bring this to occasions when I meet new people. These aren’t usually the most introvert-friendly events, but if I know I have my Superpower in my back pocket, I have more reassurance that I can use this to my advantage.
Think about how these Superpowers can help you through day-to-day life as well as the more challenging occasions we might face. Try following the sentence structure below to work through each Superpower:
I can use the Superpower of ________ when I _________
Go one step further and think of an event or upcoming project where you can really put your Superpower/s to use. Make a point of using this as your intention in going into that event/project (often a much better way of setting goals than focussing purely on the end result.)
Oh boy was I excited for this one - and it came at just the right time. September has kind of kicked my ass back into action, after a summer where I really couldn’t do much more than be a sweaty, unproductive mess. Honestly I probably would have bailed on the day that the pottery class came around, because I felt super overwhelmed with all the work and life stuff, but fortunately I had to pre-book and pay so I really had a big incentive to stick to my word. This is something I’ve really struggled with this summer: committing to things that stretch my comfort zone, even a little bit - even if it’s likely going to be fun! I suspect this is partly because of mild social anxiety, which I do acknowledge I probably have, and also pure laziness - I know it’s easier for me to use excuses like ‘I should really stay home and do some more work’ and feel all righteous about it… even though what I’m really doing is letting my fear of the unknown get the better of me. Can you relate? I’ld love to hear if so, and if you have any theories about why we do this - and whether it’s just an introvert thing. OK so: yes I went! And another upside to this particular class is that it’s 1-1. Yep, I got to spend a good hour with the famous Flying Potter of Brighton! This is a real treat: other than the barista training I did earlier this year I haven’t indulged in a solo class in this YOF. But it really is my favourite type of organised fun: getting to pick the brain of an expert, no annoying interruptions from other attendees. I get to ask all the stupid questions I want! The Flying Potter, also known as Adam, was super welcoming. I felt relaxed - well, for me - within the first 10 minutes. We got started by preparing the clay - well, Adam did this and I watched. There’s definitely an art to it. After the dough - I mean clay - was thoroughly battered, we sat at the wheel and I learned what centring the clay is. Yep, there’s an art to getting your clay in the dead centre of the wheel so it stays there. Adam was super interesting too, and not just in regard to the clay. I learned about his very creative background, how he came to set up such a unique business in Hove - this is an art shop but they do pottery and painting lessons too. But I couldn’t just keep chatting - at some point I had to get my hands dirty and actually do some pottering myself. I’m still rusty on the terminology, if you can’t tell. I was surprised with how physical it is - I mean, compared to painting which is still more physical than being at your laptop, but this is a FULL body experience. So that took some getting used to. But oh how refreshing! The feeling of the clay, is something totally different from anything I’m normally doing - I guess probably closest to holding soap?? Adam explained what I was meant to be doing really well, despite it being really quite abstract and one of those things you have to DO first, correct and understand as you go on. Analogies helped too - don’t they always? Anyway, an hour later - I had a bowl! It isn’t perfect I guess, but it’s mine - and it’s damn close to it. The next step is getting it fired, which will be done over the next week or two, then I get to come back and glaze it - which involves paint so I’m looking forward to that. Overall, I’d say this was a 9.5/10 - it had it all, challenge, but not too much, social interest thanks to Adam being awesome, and creativity. Much fun was had! It lost half a point because I got clay on my shoes, my fault. If you’re interested in checking out the Flying Potter and lessons of your own, check out https://www.artshopandpottery.com/
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Lucy Lucraft, fellow blogger, podcaster, travel lover and Brightonian.
What we talked about:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a lamb frolicking in sunshine (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Brighton Pavilion is arguably the most stunning landmark in Brighton, and honestly quite underrated. I remember visiting Brighton a lot as a kid, long before I moved here, and never once went inside the exotic palace, I only ever wandered through the gardens.
I admit I did finally go last year, but I’ve always meant to return for another look. It’s a luxury you have when you live somewhere: it’s not a one time thing. I’d like to think if I lived in Barcelona, I’d go weekly to the Sagrada Familia… just to see what else I noticed with each trip.
So mid-week, I took myself on a little field trip, partly as a reminder that being your own boss means you can do ridiculous things like that, and experience that strange mixture of guilt, appreciation and smugness.
That said, Brighton was mega busy - and all the kooks were out, despite it being a weekday afternoon. I’m talking someone walking a cat on a leash, two people in bare feet, sunglasses you’d only find in fancy dress shops and so on. Their idea of fun, I guess.
OK so the Pavilion. It isn’t cheap, at £13.50 for an adult. But when I think about the upkeep of the place, I don’t resent the charge too much. I think we’re spoilt in the UK because so many of our cultural attractions - museums and galleries - are free. You come to expect it.
A little history of the Pavilion, in the 1780s, George, Prince of Wales was recommended he take up lodging in the seaside town of Brighton. The idea was the sea air would do him some good - he was not a healthy dude.
He took to Brighton like many of us creative rebels do: enjoying the extravagant fashion, arts, architecture, drinking, womanising and gambling opportunities the city offers. Not much has changed then. Somehow, he was given the money to transform his originally humble lodging house into a modest villa, which he furnished with Chinese export furniture and beautiful hand-painted wallpapers.
In 1815, George hired John Nash to transform the villa, growing it to the ostentatious palace we see today. This guy did not do things by halves - George wanted somewhere to throw some seriously epic parties, and indulge his love for comfort and beauty.
There’s loads more to the history of the Pavilions, which I’ll link to here, but one thing I love and have to mention is that during WWI, it was transformed into a temporary hospital for Indian soldiers. I kind of love how George’s somewhat selfish and extravagant tastes and all the money and resources that were piled into this structure, all got put to work: it was finally used for something that did some good, something that mattered, something that saved lives.
Another notable event that needs to be seen to be believed is the impact the big storm we had in 1987 - the great chandelier in the music room was dislodged and basically fell through the floor. It looks surreal.
Which brings me onto my favourite room, which is without a doubt the music room. It has dragons carved everywhere you look, the ludicrous chandelier which has all been nicely restored, and this ornate and luxurious carpet which warrants a sign ‘please remove stilettos before walking on carpet’ which I love. It really is a feast for the eyes.
You also get a nice little history of the palace in video format, halfway through, which I love. For whatever reason I’ve never taken to audio guides - I can never get the buggers to work - and museum captions always leave me feeling a bit flat and uninspired. But video is usually really well done, so I appreciate that. Plus it’s nice to sit down.
I typically sped through the tour, and what took me around half an hour, could easily take you half a day if you did it properly - there really is a lot to see, and you can stop for tea midway.
I also love the gift shop which doubles up as a tea room - can’t have a spot of culture without some consumerism, right?
All in all, I rate the Brighton Pavilion a 7/10. A decent way to spend a bit of your day, not exactly adrenaline-pumping but good clean fun.
Fun rating: 7/10Let’s say you’ve been at this game for a while now. You might have even been listening to The Creative Introvert Podcast since it began, way back at the start of 2017. You might have even been doing some of the stuff I’ve been recommending. Taking action, journalling, finding a supportive community, showing your work.
But. Things aren’t moving as quickly as you hoped. In fact, they’ve stalled. They might look like they’re even moving backwards, like when planets go into what astrologers call ‘retrograde’. Planets never actually go backwards by the way, it just looks like it does from our perspective.
And that’s actually a great analogy here: I promise you, no matter what it looks like, you’re not going backwards. Everything that happens is more data. More information for you to use and move forward real soon.
But I’ll admit it might look bad.
You might have set a goal months ago, a SMART goal: it was specific, measurable, actionable, realistic AND time bound. Or so you thought. That deadline has come and gone and you haven’t achieved that goal.
No doubt, that sucks. As an avid goal setter, I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve missed the mark. And it sucks. It does. I won’t try and sugar coat that one.
The only upside - and actually, it’s quite a big upside - is that in every case, in every missed goal or disappointment - I learned something or I grew in some way - more confidence, more skilis, or just something totally batshit crazy came out of left field.
So yes, there’s the silver lining. But more importantly, what are those lessons that we can learn in our failures, disappointments and mistakes?
Here are a collection of my lessons, that I’ve learned from these times, and hopefully they can help you, should you find that you’re not making progress. You can return to this checklist and get to the root of the problem that’s playing out, and hopefully find yourself an antidote to your deceleration.
1) You aren’t clear enoughThis is something that happens a lot to some of us creatives, particularly the highly imaginative, intuitive types. You might be an INFP on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The Mystical Dreamer, if you’ve taken my Creative Type Quiz. You love big pictures. Thinking big lights you up - the details can come later, right?
Well… Sometimes, my fellow dreamers, we need to buckle down and actually look at those pesky details. We need clarity. I know that can seem boring, even redundant - I mean, we know the future is uncertain, don’t we? Doesn’t art, true creativity, originate from the darkness?
The problem with this blurry thinking - or feeling - is that it makes focussing taking action and measuring our results really, really hard. How can you tell you aren’t making progress if you don’t know what the fuck you want??
You don’t get into a taxi without telling the driver where to go. Or get into an Uber without setting the destination first, I guess. You certainly can’t yell at the driver for not taking you to where you want to go if they don’t know.
There are times for winging it, and going with the flow, but there are also times for getting super clear on what you want to do, be or have - and only THEN can you be a fair judge of where you’re at.
Check out episodes:
Goal Getting For Introverts Part 1
Goal Getting For Introverts Part 2
7 Reasons You Might Not Be Achieving Your Creative Goals
2) You aren’t eating a frog a dayFrog? You want us to eat frogs!? Well, apparently they’re a delicacy but I do want to respect the vegans out there and stress the point that this frog is indeed metaphorical. It’s actually a reference to the book, ‘Eat That Frog’ by Brian Tracy, personal-development extraordinaire, who talks about an old saying that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that it's probably the worst thing you'll do all day.
"The idea is to use ‘eat that frog’ as a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of your day - the one you are most likely to procrastinate on, but also probably the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life - Eat That Frog shows you how to zero in on these critical tasks and organise your day. You’ll not only get more done faster, but get the right things done."
Other great books on this are The ONE Thing by Gary Keller, a book I both praise AND attack - and I’ll link to my reasons for that here - but I can sum this up here:
You need to get suuuuper clear on your priorities here. And really, I mean priority - your ONE thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, and again, but having one point of focus doesn’t mean you don’t do anything else - it just means it’s the one thing you don’t sacrifice FOR anything else. Got it?
So for the last 8 months my book has been my frog, and I’m happy to say is at first-ish draft stage - but I certainly haven’t been doing ONLY this.
What I’ve done is made it my daily priority. I’ve promised myself one hour, in the morning, in a coffee shop, 5 days a week. That’s it. That’s my ONE thing. The deal I’ve made with myself is that NOTHING can get in the way of that. And I won’t lie - it’s been tough. And it wa much tougher before I got clearer on this priority.
When writing a book was just one of my many dreams, it simply wasn’t happening. Of course more urgent or more exciting things took precedent, and of course the book got delayed. As soon as I committed to this small but consistent daily book-writing session, I started making PROGRESS.
So go on, eat that frog!
3) You’re sabotaging yourselfOh boy this is a bugger. Self-sabotage. We all have our reasons as to why we sabotage ourselves: just know that this is SUPER common and SUPER annoying.
I cover this more in depth in episode #37: Self Sabotage, Excuses and Procrastination (Oh My) but since recording that episode, I’ve learned a bit more about my own inner saboteur, so I’ll share some more advanced level stuff with you now.
Like… What if you saw your inner saboteur as a friend? A shitty friend may be, but one with the best intentions. I like using the analogy of Chuckie in the Rugrats: he was such a wet blanket! And I always had to pretend to be him if we played Rugrats because of the hair.
As annoying as he was, Chuckie was only ever trying to protect his best buddy Tommy and the others. As creatives, we are constantly taking risks. We risk people judging us, we risk rejection, we risk wasting time, energy, money, resources, we risk letting ourselves and others down.
If I’m being really honest with you: these aren’t just risks. They’re CERTAINTIES, if you decide to play this game for real.
The more we play the game, the bigger the risks get. Wouldn’t it be safer, to stay at level 1? Chuckie would likely say yes. And I bet your inner saboteur has the smart idea to keep you at level 1, where it’s safe and you can handle the bad guys.
If you aren’t making progress, there’s a good chance you’re payng too much attention to your inner scaredy cat - and I want to encourage you to listen to your inner courageous cat! Yeah. May be make a wrist band: What Would Courageous Cat Do?
Of course, this doesn’t mean ignoring the voice that keeps you safe, it just means practising both. See what happens when you listen to the one that sounds brave, even a bit foolhardy. Just see what happens.
Again, even if you risk something and fall on your face, you’ll have learned something. You’ll know what didn’t work, and you’ll have a clearer idea of what to do next time. That is in fact moving forward, making much more progress than you would have done if you’d have stayed stuck where you were, with Chuckie your inner saboteur.
4) Someone else is sabotaging youIn the words of Julia Cameron,
"Crazymakers are those personalities that create storm centers. They are often charismatic, frequently charming… and for the creative person in their vicinity, they are enormously destructive.”
Crazymakers are the people in your life who, even if they also mean well, are just keeping you small, tired and fed up.
Naturally, if you’re trying to make serious progress in your creative career or any life area for that matter, and someone close to you isn’t… it’s going to be hard for them. You’re constantly highlighting where they’re falling short. And naturally, they’re going to want to take you down to their level, even if they aren’t aware of it consciously.
I had a crazy maker in my life once, and my biggest mistake was letting it go on for so long. In hindsight, I can see that she didn’t mean to be stifling, and I’ll admit I played my role in feeding her dependency. I let myself stay down, stay small, in order to accomodate her ego and be a classic people pleaser.
Can you relate?
If so, it might be time to start getting super clear on your boundaries. If your crazy maker is always dragging you out to the pub and encouraging you to stay out and get another round in, and then the next day you’re too hungover to get up early and work on that creative project… then you know what you have to do. Check your prioriities, and make it clear. Be honest with yourself, and with them.
I’ll link to my favourite episode on boundaries and handling crazy makers here.
5) You don’t care enoughOooh, this is a harsh one. I kind of hated this lesson when I first learned it, and trust me I’ve had to learn it a few times before I softened to it and actually learned to accept it.
There are some things in life we think we want. And may be we do want them, a good amount. But. They come with sacrifices. Oh yeah - I might have forgot to tell you that one. This stuff we want? Our creative dreams and goals? They come at a sacrifice.
Which is totally fine, in fact it’s a really good deal, when we want something enough and we’re willing to pay the price. But… if the price is higher than our desire? Agh. You’ve got yourself a problem.
I experienced this in my bout as a pet portrait artist. You’ve probably heard bits of this story before, but in short: my dream, what I thought I wanted, to draw people’s fur babies for a living, sounded SO great!
Until I started doing it. I realised quite quickly that for me, it was destroying my love for what was my favourite past-time, like a sledgehammer to fine china.
I realised it was something I loved, but the price to pay - it wasn’t worth it. Whereas web design or writing or podcasting or teaching or coaching - well, those are things I love just as much, but the price I pay is lower, much lower in some cases, than what I paid to bend over backwards for my dickish portrait clients.
And that’s just me: we all have our price. What it costs me to stand up on stage and speak might be a way higher price in relation to it’s value to you, and you might find the price of dealing with your illustration clients way lower than I did. We ALL different.
The question you need to ask yourself in the most ladylike way possible is: WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOUR OF SH*T SANDWICH?
In short: do you want it enough, and if so - what are you willing to pay?
If you’re not willing to pay the price, don’t be surprised if your so-called dreams aren’t being realised.
6) You are making progress, you just don’t know itI have one last analogy for you: we’re like thermostats. Not super original, but stick with me. We’re like thermostats in that we adjust: we have our goals, we make plans, and can only find out they’re stupid when we start taking action. At which point we adjust.
That’s what everyone who’s ever done anything interesting will tell you: they learnt as they went along. They adjusted. They course corrected. Sure, they did their research, sucked up some know-how, asked lots of questions but at some point: they said screw it, I’ll do it. Richard Branson ACTUALLY said that.
So may be you are making progress, you’re just in the adjustment phase. Stick with it, you. If you want it, it WILL be so, SO worth it when you get there.
Heads up: before you get excited - or confused - I did NOT go to Glastonbury Festival, the massive music festival was not on this year. My plans instead were to visit Glastonbury, the town, in rural Somerset UK.
Reasons? Well, I’d heard on multiple occasions about how great the town is for just tourism - it’s quirky, a bit like the place I live in Brighton, and it has some really old things to look at - really old. Plus, some pretty amazing myths and legends to go along with them.
Glatsonbury isn’t super accessible by train so I wasn’t in a hurry to do this one solo. Fortunately, I have two very dear friends who were willing to come, and let me hitch a ride.
So we set off, Brighton to Glastonbury. I wouldn’t normally share much about the journey, but this one was special: we saw donkeys on the roadside! A lot of them! And they were super friendly and let us pet them. This isn’t typical in the UK, but we were driving through the New Forest, which has wild horses, ponies and donkeys - and they’re all there for your roadside entertainment. Pretty neat.
We rocked up at our Airbnb, which is possibly the quirkiest one I have EVER stayed in.
One of the best things about it is where it’s situated: right next to the entrance to the path that leads to the Tor: a very, very old tower that sits on a hill overlooking Glastonbury.
We headed up there just in time for sunset and it was glorious. There were some other people there too who had the right idea, but just a small number - enough to appreciate the company and feel connected to them somehow. Not like your typical tourist site, I’ll admit.
There was someone drumming quietly, someone charging their wand and someone casting an actual spell. Yeah. That really happens.
The next morning, we went on a tour with a nice old Irish man, John. He took us up 3 hills: Brides Mound, Wearyall Hill and the Tor, again.
I enjoyed learning about the local legends, and have since decided to take more interest in Celtic mythology.
Then we had lunch, at Excalibur - a very health savvy serve-yourself place. Amazing actually, great raw cakes too.
Then we went around the amazing shops - literally, heaven. A whole shop for essential oils and smelly stuff, esoteric book shops, hippy clothing and all the crystals.
We bought some bits for dinner. The truth is, Glastonbury is still a small town and after a while you realise your options for fine dining are limited. But that's OK, it was nice to make the most of the Airbnb for a change.
Then we went off to our evening entertainment: a healing session with the Pleiadians, a group of aliens channeled by an attractive nordic man, Michiel Kroon.
He also channeled Archangel Michael, I guess they have the name in common.
We sat in a circle, and I felt comfortable and welcomed, I loved that we were encouraged to make the most of the essential oils and palo santo that sat in the centre of the circle. I mentioned it in previous podcasts like the time I went to Peru and the breathwork experience, but as an introvert: feeling welcomed, comfortable and well looked after in a group environment is so, so key to my enjoyment. Good facilitation in groups is NOT easy to come by, so I really appreciate it when it's done well.
But the messages themselves from the apparently channeled entities were, in my opinion, distinctly average. I didn’t get much… though my imagination was slightly sharper than usual. And I did feel very open hearted and able to do 'the thing' of breathing love in and out, which I haven't experienced before. So that was nice.
We picked an oracle card at the end, from a deck Michiel and his girlfriend designed. Mine had two beings on it: a man and a woman, Ether + Matter. The idea was all about integration, which you might know I’m obsessed with, especially when it comes to this woo woo stuff, or any life-coaching stuff. I love theory, but I love action more, and belive integration is the bridge between the theory and action. So I guess that was a nice little moment of synchronicity.
Headed back, very sleepy.
Next day, we went out for breakfast - a vegan fry up. It's interesting hanging out with two vegans for the weekend - it almost makes me think I could do it too... Almost. Then we went to Chalice Well, a truly gorgeous place. Very peaceful.
Then shopping! To balance out all the spiritual stuff, I guess. I bought a mood ring and a keyring in Chalice Well, a wallet, some incense, essential oil and palo santo. Can’t go wrong with smelly stuff.
Oh and a book about yoga journalling.
Then we went to the Abbey, which is OK. We laughed a lot at the egg stone, and meditated for 5 minutes. Very good vibes. I remembered how much I enjoy travelling WITH people. It slows me down, and helps me appreciate where I'm at. When travelling solo, I have this tendency to rush through everything - may be because on some level I feel a bit awkward? But with friends, you can really acknowledge the experience, and see things you otherwise wouldn't have noticed.
Then we went to a centre that had some relation to the Maitreya - allegedly the second coming of Buddha AND Jesus. Mmhmm. The healing protocol was to sit in a comfy chair, underneath a pyramid shape with crystals strapped on and crystals in your hand and headphones on listening to the Maitreya’s puja.
Sounds bonkers. I know. And trust me, I did not expect ANYTHING. But… Almost as soon as I sat back, I literally felt like I was being charged. Like, I could actually feel it. I convinced myself there was a mild electrical current running through me via the crystals - my friends afterwards told me that was not possible. Regardless of what was going on, it felt… heavenly.
I've since done a fair bit of research and unfortunately the guy who runs it - Buddha Maitreya the Christ - or... Ron Spencer - and you'll find buried amongst the bullshit, some reports that suggest he is indeed a dodgy cult leader who will take your money, has been known to take advantage of his followers sexually and probably isn't mates with the Dalai Llama.
As for pyramid power - this too is unlikely to heal you, or make razor blades sharp again... but, I must say I think it's a great idea to have a place like that in a busy shopping area set up so people can come, sit back and relax for a change. And it's free, so it really isn't a bad thing. I'd like to see more places like that, like introverted little hubs in busy public areas. But y'no, without the cult stuff.
We headed back for dinner and went to our final dip into the esoteric: a goddess circle. Featuring the goddess Freyja and the Völva, which is some kind of Norse shaman. I don't know if the lady who gave the workshop or whatever you want to call it was a 'Völva' herself... or just a pleasant lady who had a nice voice and a wild imagination.
Regardless, I did not like this. Mostly because the facilitation was terrible and I just didn’t get anything from the guided aspect. It was unhelpful - and I went away with little other than a vague interest in learning more about the legends of Freyja but not exactly happy with the method of delivery.
I don’t know what to take from the experiences this weekend, but I do know a lot of it comes back to being true to myself and pursuing my desires with boldness and sheer trust. Did I get that from the Archangel Michael, the Pleidians, someone claiming to be the Buddha reincarnated or a Norse goddess? OR did I get it from really great chats with some of my favourite people, in a beautiful part of the world?
WHO KNOWS.
Fun rating: 9.5/10In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Alex Mathers, of the Red Lemon Club.
I'm SO excited to share this week's guest for you, because he's probably someone who I have to thank most out of virtually all my guests, even though they're all kick ass.
At the height of my artistic discontent: I had just graduated, and whilst I did have a lucky job at a web design agency, I was feeling creatively unfulfilled I found Alex's work and spent hours trawling through his portfolio magazine site, Ape on The Moon.
Soon after, I got my first hints of what the possibilities of freelancing could be from the Red Lemon Club, so a BIG thanks goes to our guest today, Alex Mathers.
"Do what brings you to life, not just what you love."
~ Alex Mathers
What we talked about:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a lamb frolicking in sunshine (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
One of the most common challenges I come across in speaking to a range of creative introverts in my coaching , or in my online community or just out and about: is lack of support.
It's actually the one that's surprised me most, even though I can 100% relate. It surprised me, because I assumed for the longest time, that as introverts we don't need support.
We are intrinsically motivated, we are captains of our ship and we have no need for crew mates.
How wrong I was.
For one, our need for support starts from the day we're born and whilst it lessens greatly throughout our life, I don't believe we ever fully lose the need for external support. How much of it we need can vary greatly between people, and my assumption here is that it all stems from those early years.
Did we get the support we needed in those early days, enough that we felt reassured enough to go out in the world alone, and tackle it with confidence? Or were we taught the world is a dangerous place? And maybe we became too reliant on external support?
These are arguably issues that only a therapist can truly cover, but on a lighter note, I think we can cover a lot of ground today, especially in how support systems can help us in overcoming inner resistance to creative work.
Ok so, lets start with some of the stories we're told as creatives, ones that may have come from people who care about us and want the best for us,but arguably have no fucking clue what they're talking about.
When I was wee, I knew from around age 4 that drawing was my thing, and that there were people out there whose job it was to be artists and make pictures for a living. So that's what I wanted to be, an artist.
But then I was told that artists mostly don't make very much money, and some go crazy and cut off their ear.
So, I decided that I could be an illustrator, like my hero EH Shepherd. But then I was told that lots of people want to be illustrators,and that print was dying and there were only so many things out there to be illustrated.
In fact, if I wanted to get a job, I had better learn how to design websites.
Sigh.
Whilst everything kind of worked out, and I still enjoy designing websites from time to time, I do wonder what would have happened if I had followed my dreams and become a real artist.
Sure, I picked up illustration again at a later age, but by this time I lacked confidence in my abilities in the competitive industry. What might have been possible had I had the support from those around me? Family or teachers who cared about my wellbeing, but couldn't give the support I needed because they lacked faith, maybe because their dreams hadn't been supported either.
So maybe you've experienced this in your own creative career. May be it's from friends, family, teachers, professors. People telling you that what you want to do is too hard or too risky or too competitive.
And maybe they have a point. The best jobs in life are more difficult to get because other wise everyone would be doing them! But why in goods name can't you be one of the ones who gets to do it?
And before you start giving me reasons why you can't, let me stop you there. Yes, there will be sacrifices. Yes there will be bumps in the road. But it's in these moments that you most need support from those around you. You can borrow their faith in you, and use it to push through those days of doubt.
I didn't realise how powerful this was until I had my first ever coaching session. This was with a gentleman named Martin Stellar,whose interview you'll find back on episode 08 of the podcast.
Basically, I had no idea what to expect from this basic stranger,nor what coaching really was.
But the thing that convinced me that coaching was incredibly useful for creatives, and the thing that stuck with me, was Martins belief in me.
Again, he didn't really know me, but regardless, he gave me such faith in myself and my ability to follow this journey, this journey to my wildest dreams, and I believed him. I still do. And when i am having those moments of self-doubt, I think back to those kind words. More so, I think back to the feeling behind it, which magically carried through Skype,and which I felt too.
Note that I'm not suggesting all you need is someone to tell you you're great no matter what
There's a difference between mindless support that grandma gives you, and the support from someone who believes in you, but who'll call you on your bullshit. Who, in times when you're scared of taking the next step, who won't tell you "that's ok honey, go lie on the spa and I'll bake you cookies" but who'll tell you actually, you CAN do that thing you're scared of because I believe in you.
Or yes you can do that scary thing because I've been there before and yes I was scared but I went and did it and didn't die.
Ok so, what does this mean, do you all need to work with a coach who'll give you on-tap support and encouragement?
May be.
But there are other sources of support I recommend you explore.
1) Community
Ok, ok, I know: you're an introvert ! Community sounds like a whole lot of people. Technically, it is. But it doesn't mean you have to hang out with them all at once.
I feel like I've taped into an incredibly supportive creative community here in Brighton, and have felt that way since about 6 months in. It's now been two years, and I still don't go to many events with lots of strangers, instead, I've got a shortlist of besties who I can see, mostly only one or two at a time. People I can rely on to help me if I need some moral support, or just to bitch about the perils of self employment. Or people who can recommend me to their friends, who might also be creative introverts.
Now, this is a different community to what I was used to back in London. Friends there, as much as I love them, know a different version of me. One that's mostly unconnected to my work, and who I'm not interested in discussing my work with, and vice versa.
What my point is, is that you might need to go out and make some new friends. Some creative cronies. Not that you need to abandon your old buds,but that in a fresh friendship, with someone with similar goals to you, that can be all the support you need.
So, I won't lie, the idea of making new friends sounds awfully un introvert friendly, but trust me, if I can do it you can do it. (See? Support!)
Meetup.com was my saving grace.I'll be honest, existing meetups were not my jam, so I started one, 100% on my terms on a Saturday morning, which attracted people like me. Fellow creative introverts who weren't going there to pick up a date, but who wanted to spend their Saturday morning on their creativity, rather than in their bed, hungover.
Of course, you don't have to go anywhere physically, especially if you don't live in a particularly diverse city, you might be lucky enough to live out in the sticks somewhere.
In this case, I'm going to recommend really investing some time and some faith into online communities.
I'll be honest, free groups or forums are naturally going to attract more. ..crazies. just like online dating, I think we all know there's a difference in calibre to the relationships formed on a free platform that on a paid platform, there just is a different level of commitment and emotional investment in the paid options.
Of course, is be remiss not to mention my own online community, the League of Creative introverts,who are a stellar mix of supportive, generous, big hearted souls, even if I'm biased,and who know the value of getting support as well as giving it.
More info about the league can be found at thecreativeintrovert.com/lci
So. Support.
l also want to let you know, that nothing can beat inner support. We really do require both inner & outer support, and neither one can make up for the lack of the other.
So, how to cultivate inner support? Don't worry, I'm not going to tell you to yell words of affirmation at yourself in the mirror. This inner support is quiet, really quiet. And subtle. It's the little voice that sparks the brilliant, bold idea in the first place. The problem is, that we stop listening to it when our fears, or our inner critic shows up. lt doesn't help when external critics show up either.
But we can come back to that little voice, and coax it out with gentle reminders like remembering past accomplishments. Things you've overcome, fears you've faced. And this is also why I recommend scaring yourself - just a little bit - regularly to build up that resume of challenging things you didn't die doing.
It's why I get on stage as much as someone lets me. It's not for pure pleasure, or even the adrenaline rush: it's for my Fear CV. The thing I can whip out when I need a bit of support. It means I have an ongoing, always growing, reminder of what I can do: and a hint of what I could do.
My final words are that is ok to admit you need a bit of support and encouragement from time to time. Following your dreams isn't the easiest thing to do, in fact it might very well be the hardest thing you'll ever do. And you don't have to go the journey alone.
There are many, so many, who have gone before you, and are going with you, you just need to look for them and ask, do you reckon we can do this? I do.
Links mentioned:I went with The Little Mermaid. Why?
Partly because a friend reminded me of it not long ago and partly because it was in my top 5 films throughout my childhood. I’d say top 3 Disney.
Whilst I don’t think the animation is on par with Beauty and the Beast or as funny as Toy Story or as heart warming as The Lion King… boy I love Disney... For whatever reason, I was just a massive fan of The Little Mermaid, may be because Ariel was the only Disney character repping for the redheads amongst us.
I also identified with Ariels love for collecting trinkets and crap. I was not a minimalist kid. I dreamed of having my own cavern of hoozits, whatsits and thingumabobs.
So i settled in on a rainy afternoon and stuck it on. Amazingly, i remembered every word from every song well, at least the ones I understood. There's nothing like watching a film from your childhood to realise how little grip on language you had back then. I think as a kid I just got the gist of films, missing a lot of the clever writing and subtle exist and racist slurs the folk at Disney were making back then.
I totally forgot that Ariel exchanges her voice for her human body and Ursula sings a song about basically men not being interested in women speaking anyway! Yeah so Ariel isn't exactly the best role model when it comes to Disney princesses and i can't help but wonder what effect that had on me...
Oh and I also remembered how much Ursula scared me! She's a baddie alright.
Anyway, it was a beautiful way to spend a rainy afternoon.
In fact, this is definitely one i can recommend to you, dear reader. Why not go back to your childhood this weekend and watch a favourite film?
Fun rating: 7.5/10Do you have a favourite Disney film? Or maybe it was love action, with puppets like Labyrinth from Jim Henson? Let me know! Let's geek out on 80s and 90s kids films.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Leslie McDaniel, a certified professional coach who helps INFJ women bring their vision to life.
She believes that few things are more powerful than someone at ease with her strengths, gifts, and quirks as she confidently lives out her purpose. With a unique combination of creative skills and experience, Leslie brings a multi-perspective approach to helping others with the accountability and support they need to move forward. Her knowledge as an MBTI®-certified practitioner helps INFJ women understand their personality, celebrate their strengths, and claim their potential. Leslie serves other INFJ women through individual coaching and her weekly email, The INFJ Life.
What we talked about:linkedIn.com/in/lesliemcdaniel
You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a lamb frolicking in sunshine (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
Edinburgh by coach from Brighton. A 4am start and a 15 hour journey, door to door. Ok let me explain my choice for transportation for this city break.
I could have got a train (half the time) or flown (a 10th of the time) but no, I chose the coach. A choice that most people don't make, if they can afford a bit of extra cash. And while I'm not exactly rolling in it, I probably could have splashed out a bit more than the mere £30 return the coach costs (which is a ludicrous bargain my mind is still boggling over.)
No, my reasoning was: I actually wanted to go on a coach trip.
I see these National Express coaches coasting up the - er - coast on a daily basis, and they always look so big and exotic... and convenient: no hauling myself through airport security, or switching trains in London. The coach stop is less than 10 mins walk from my house, and leaves you in the heart of Edinburgh... just, 15 hours later.
So, much to all my friend's dismay, I opted for my coach journey.
The early start - yes, 4am - wasn't too hard for me. It was only an hour or so earlier than usual - yes, I'm that person - plus I like early starts if I'm going on holiday. It reminds me of the one big family holiday we went on. I was 6, we drove to Italy (ahh now I understand why I'm a sucker for a long uncomfortable journey) and we had to wake up at 3am I think. I ate my rice krispies too fast and puked in the car.
OK so, coach!
It was 2 hours to London Victoria, on a very quiet, fairly comfy, air conditioned coach. Then there was an hour wait at the Victoria coach station, which is a bit of a hell hole, but I was happy enough with my oat milk cappuccino (word to the wise, there's a Pret a Manger, Cafe Nerro - my choice - and a Starbucks at the coach station. But I'd definitely recommend bringing your own food - the one food shop there is ludicrously overpriced and understocked.)
Then at 8am, I was on the coach. Yes, time went slowly. I alternated between writing my book, listening to podcasts, reading The Untethered Soul and staring out the window. I really do get my best ideas when I'm on transport.
Somehow, I survived. There was a stop in Leeds, which was a bit depressing - like I said, coach stations just aren't glam places to hang out - and I had a little Chinese boy next to me for the rest of the journey. He entertained me, patting his brother on the shoulder to get him to turn around, then giving him the finger. Smart kid.
I got a taxi to my Airbnb, because, rain. Ahh rain - this was another reason I was determined to come to Scotland this summer. I really wanted a break from the heat down south - and I got it! Very satisfying, knowing it was 10 degrees cooler where I was - a much more temperate climate for gingers, I believe.
Ok so my Airbnb was lovely, one of the sweetest hosts I've ever met, though that night I basically zonked out shortly after arriving because coach travel - somehow - is tiring.
I’m going to come out with a possibly controversial statement…
Worrying helps our creativity.
What what?
Ok... think about it like this: most breakthroughs, whether they were in technology or art or anything else for that matter, came about because we were worried. We were worried we’d starve, worried that the other tribe would conquer us, worried that the Gods would be angered by our actions and so on. The main difference between overthinkers and the rest of the population – is imagination.
Now imagination doesn’t lead directly to creative flourishing. For us to make use of this gift, we need to combine our imaginative inspiration with action.
And here’s where it gets tricky.
Taking action, especially when we’re worried and all we have is ourselves and a blank canvas or blank page in front of us is… bloody hard.
Our worries can be a blessing and a curse.
Unless… we tackle them head on, removing the resistance and allowing us to crack on with our creative work.
How…?
In today's podcast, you’ll get detailed instructions on how to overcome these three horsemen of the creative apocalypse, worry, distraction and procrastination - so that you can be performing at your very best, most creative introverty self. Links mentionedThe League of Creative Introverts
I really did hope I’d stop moaning about the heatwave long before recording this podcast. I now can’t remember a time when I wasn’t uncomfortably warm.
And I resent the fact that I’m now doing the stereotypical Brit thing of talking about the weather, but there IS a reason for it: because, it was the prompt that encouraged me to push this bucketlist Year of Fun activity right up to the past week.
Originally, this was on my list of things to do in this YOF, but I wasn’t expecting to hit the sea until later in the year, when our dear channel gets acceptably warm, having had the summer to heat up.
This week reached all new highs in sweaty bettyness, and on Thursday afternoon, I finally caved and dug my swimsuit out from the depths of a chest of drawers.
Over the top went some easy to remove clothing, and a pair of slip on trainers for dealing with the stoney beach. I’ve learned that flip flops are NO GOOD when it comes to stones, the blight of the Brighton coast.
I left my phone, headphones, everything I’m normally comfortably distracted by at home, and padded down to the sea (all of 5 mins from my door) with keys wedged in swimsuit and towel on arm.
Even this part felt uncomfortable for me. For so many reasons I imagine, even though rationally I realise this is not something that’s meant to fill someone will anxiety.
For one, I felt semi naked without my backpack and phone and all that. I just didn’t want to bring anything that could be swiped on the shore while I went solo into the sea. I also felt weird doing something I haven’t done in like… 5 years? And even then, that was on holiday - not on a weekday afternoon.
But rational Cat told me to quit whining, it’s a holiday for someone somewhere, you’ve finished your work for the day according to your Asana calendar, and you live 5 minutes away from a sea you haven’t stepped foot in for the 2 years you’ve lived in Brighton.
Fair point.
Oh I should tell you the other reason I was probably quite anxious: I can’t really swim. OK I could swim if my life depended on it - I hope - but I’ve never been a strong swimmer and certainly don’t like being out of my depth.
I have ambitions to get over this story I’m telling myself that I have very dense bones that sink like lead, and that it’s genetic (my entire family are aquatically-challenged) and I guess this is the first step I’ve made in a long time to getting myself a new story.
So I made it. I awkwardly hobbled into the sea, across the cursed pebbles, hat and sunglasses still on because there was no way my face was going anywhere near the surface.
And it was really fucking cold! I had heard it was heating up unusually early this year thanks to the heatwave, but this was like ice water in my opinion.
And I won’t lie: it was… OK. I happily discovered the stones gave way to sand once I was in beyond my waist, and the surreal quality of staring out and seeing nothing but sea and sky around you, bar some annoying kids who were having no problem swimming - well, it was quite fun.
I stayed there, moving my arms around like a weird fitness video from the 80s, until I got bored enough and headed back to land, emerging from the sea like a cross between Ariel in the Little Mermaid, and swamp thing.
After drying off, I headed back to my laptop, enjoying the buzz my nervous system got, and felt slightly less hot and bothered, and a gratifying sense of accomplishment for finally tackling my sea anxiety.
Fun rating: 6/10I think if I keep this habit up I’ll find it more fun than fearful, we’ll see.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Danny Gregory, co-founder of Sketchbook Skool and author of nearly a dozen internationally best-selling books on art and creativity.
I personally came across Danny from his podcast Shut Your Monkey, in which he interviewed fascinating artists, psychologists, authors, all kinds of folk who gave me the inspiration to push on with my creative work.
***GIVEAWAY***I'm be giving away a copy of my favourite book from Danny, The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are to one lucky listener.
Here's what you can do to enter to win:
You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a lamb frolicking in sunshine (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
I’m back to the somewhat New Agey Year of Fun experiences this week, this time with a Sound Bath.
OK for those of you unfamiliar with this sound-bathing thing, like I was until very recently, I’m going to read what’s on the website of the place I visited, The Tree of Life, Hove.
"Lay back and relax as the beautiful sounds and tones of Gongs, Himalayan Singing Bowls, Crystal Singing Bowls, rainsticks and other therapeutic percussion instruments wash over you whilst you rest on a comfortable yoga mat with cushions and blankets. Therapuetic Sound Baths are proven to relax on a deeper level than other relaxation methods.
Bringing calm to the body and mind, and helping brainwaves lower to levels that are similar to meditation or those experienced just before you fall asleep. The sound can induce a state of deep relaxation and allow you to rest there with the effect that cortisone (i.e. the stress hormone) reduces, blood pressure and heart rates are lowered, potassium & sodium levels in the body are rebalanced and cellular regeneration can take place which, in turn, helps our autonomic nervous system to restore.
After the session, you are invited to share your experience with the group if you wish.”
Sounds pretty harmless right? It’s actually got some science to back it up, too.
The theory goes: brain signals are transmitted through frequencies, kind of like music through a radio. Studies show that these signals, or “brain waves,” correlate to particular states of consciousness such as focus, relaxation, meditation, and sleep. Generally speaking, slower brain waves are associated with more relaxed meditative states, while faster ones correlate to alert and active states.
Scientists are now discovering that brain waves can be modified by externally produced sound frequencies through a process called entrainment—when the frequency of one object synchronizes with the frequency of another. This means sound can be used to tune brainwaves to specific frequencies and achieve desired states of mind.
This likely doesn’t come as a massive surprise, given that you’ve probably had the experience of listening to music and feeling calmer or listening to another piece and feeling pumped up and ready to dance, run or my favourite: mosh.
As for serious psychic healing or anything that mentions clearing space or raising energy or anything else that sounds vaguely woo, while I’m open to it, I’m not making any claims about that here.
But for an hour on a Sunday morning to lay down in a nice-smelling room with several other people and listen to some calming gongs, I thought it was worth a punt.
So I get to the Tree of Life Centre, somewhere I’d passed many times but had yet to venture into, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was nicer than I thought, cosier, less clinical, woo without the need to overdo it.
The lady at reception was lovely and welcoming,also turned out to be the Sound Bather - Ruth. I’d say she was responsible for 80% of my comfort - I really loved her balance of gentleness without any of that hippy guru, holier than thou bullshit. She explained a little about what to expect, and didn’t force any esoteric ideas onto us, just hinted at them, which was perfect.
Everyone was already lying down on their yoga mats when I entered, which was nice because I didn’t have to make eye contact with anyone, always a plus.
We were given a pillow, blanket and bolster so I was very comfy. And we were given a headsup: if any of us start to snore, then give permission to be woken up. The woman next to me said ‘Just wack me’ which instantly made me warm to her.
I said ‘me too’ but really I knew it was highly unlikely I’d be so mellow I’d fall asleep - and actually I doubted whether anyone could.
So the sound bath began. Ruth started with singing bowls, I think, and made her way to the gongs, which were… unlike anything I’ve ever heard. Truly.
After about half an hour, I realised I couldn’t feel my body. In a good way - I was so chilled I couldn’t imagine moving. Which wasn’t ideal, because the nice lady next to me DID fall asleep and DID start to snore. Quite loudly!
So the battle in my head began over whether or not to wake her, at least for the sake of the rest of the group, or to let her be, given that waking a stranger seems harsh unless you think they’ll miss their stop on the bus or train.
I gave her a 3 snore rule, so whenever she made 3 loud snores in a row, I’d gently tap her. Which required me to stir from my glorious stupor, but I learned a lesson: don’t take the place next to snorey mcGee again, no matter how nice she seems.
One more thing to report: visions. Yes, actual scenes happening in front of my closed eyes. OK - it wasn’t ayahuasca-like visions, these were just games our eyes play on us when we’re very relaxed and have nothing else to look at. You might have seen similar when you’re drifting off to sleep.
They’re basically geometric patterns, as well as a strange tunnel-like phenomenon that, depending on what you read, is either a result of awakening the third eye OR a well-known result of phosphenes, an effect that occurs through activation of retinal ganglion cells in a very similar way to how they activate as a response to light. Can also happen when you’ve had a blow to the head, have low blood pressure, stand up too fast or rub your eyes really hard.
But yeah, you could say it’s your third eye chakra opening too.
The bath ended with a rainmaker and rattle, which was less pleasant than the gongs, but I got used to them. It was a nice way to bring us back to the room, and reality I guess.
At the end, Ruth asked if we’d like to talk about our experience, and after a few silent beats (something I cannot STAND) I had to raise my hand. I mumbled something like ‘it was my first time and I’m really surprised by how great it was!’
Not so useful I’m sure, but it was something.
After that we made our way to our feet, slowly, and headed out.
This was the perfect balance of group activity, without any necessary interaction, and it left me in such a good mood all day long.
Links: Fun rating: 9/10Part of my fascination with the term ‘introvert' as I define it is how it describes how I understand where we, as introverts, get our energy from.
Now I’m far, far from scientific when it comes to these energy matters. And that’s OK: any scientist who’s worth his salt will admit he or she still doesn’t know all there is to know about matters like energy.
As a general rule of thumb, an introvert gets their energy from spending time alone. Solo activities, low stimulation, with plenty of time for some introspection.
An extrovert on the other hand will get their energy from spending time in the company of others, sharing ideas and absorbing a stimulating environment with lots of excitement.
The unfortunate part about this simple definition is… it leaves very little room for the grey area: the spectrum of introversion—extroversion that we all fall on.
You’ve heard it before, let’s hear it again: “There is no such thing as a pure extrovert or pure introvert. Such aman would be in a lunatic asylum.”
Thank you Dr Jung, that’s quite a relief.
So why does it matter where you fall on the introvert/extrovert spectrum? If you’re 51% introvert, you’re an introvert!
Not so fast.
In today's podcast, you’ll get detailed instructions on how to explore your energy needs and more importantly, how to adapt to maximise your energy so that you can be performing at your very best, most creative introverty. self. Links mentioned How to Find Your Best Environment Interview with Caroline Von Kimmenade Elaine Aron - the Highly Sensitive Person Gretchen Rubin Mari Kondo - The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up Self Control app (OSX) Rescue Time Interview with Pete Moseley Daniel Pink on the best time of day to do different tasksThis is one that might strike some of you as a bit… odd. I mean, your idea of Fun might be very far from planning the logistics of a holiday and actually indulging in the research involved in making the most out of a short break.
Truth be told, I was at a bit of a loss of what to report on this week, as it’s been… rather uneventful. I mentioned my energy slump last week in the Museletter, that all of July and a little of June - which I had, mostly, attributed to the heatwave here in the UK. It was strange: I knew it wasn’t a depression, I’ve experienced much darker times before; this was just a mild resistance to doing. Which for me, someone with a tendency to be a bit of a workhorse and actually derive joy from that, now that I love what I do, came as a bit of an upset.
I kind of didn’t know what to do with myself, that’s the best way to describe it. But on Monday this week, I finally broke through my fog of apathy, and got my mojo back. I was motivated to work again, I felt like I was making some progress on my book, I rearranged my room and I found my energy last long into the evening, no temptation to vegetate in front of youtube.
Ok so that said, I’ve actually just been a bit of a workhorse this week. And even though that has been fun for me, I doubt it’s going to make for much of a YOF podcast I’m afraid.
Which brings me onto planning a holiday. I have to admit facts: I just love this part of travelling. Sure, getting to see and experience a new place is the best, but I often wonder how much of the fun is simply in planning and anticipating it, for me.
So, for today’s YOF I'm indulging myself in my love of planning , and I invite you a long for the ride. May be it will be of some use to you if you get stuck in planning holidays especially if you’d like to take a solo trip and have some concerns about that, and I can indulge the rest of my fellow trip planning geeks who might just get a kick out of hearing someone else’s approach.
Step 1: Find a great spot to plan.I selected a rather lovely, quirky cafe/antiques shop out in Portslade. It’s quiet, friendly and has lots of interesting things for me to look at - it kind of makes me feel like I’m already away.
Step 2: Book your transportI actually booked my transport a while ago, but for me this usually looks like opening up an incognito tab on Chrome (or private browsing mode in whatever browser you use) so that cookies are’t stored and airlines can’t advertise flights to you for the next 6 months. This may be added paranoia, so feel free to ignore that step.
I like using Google flights these days, but Skyscanner or Kayak also do great jobs of scowering the internet for cheapest flights. I like to view flights for a whole month or for a big a time period as possible, so I can nab the cheapest deal, but a lot of this is dependent on your schedule. I find that travelling in the week is cheaper, but it’s also the quietest time to see most places and for a city break, you might consider that if you want a slightly quieter trip.
Step 3: Book accommodationI’m a big proponent of Airbnb, I’ve never had a bad experience personally, and I’ve been to over a dozen places using their service. For my trip, which is 3 nights in Edinburgh, a new city to me, I had to allow for a slightly higher price than normal because I’m going during the Edinburgh Festival - yeah, the festival.
I was super surprised to find places that looked pretty decent for under £40 a night, which is kind of insane considering the price of hotels at this busy period. Anyway, I read my reviews (that’s my number one tip for Airbnb - make sure you pick places with lots of 5 star reviews, and read a good number of them to get an idea of what to expect) and booked away.
If you have any qs about booking with Airbnb as a solo traveller, feel free to shoot me an email. I’ve also got a promo code for you in the show notes, should you want to save some cash with your booking.
Step 4: The fun begins!This is my favourite part: deciding what I want to pack into my visit.
Because this is during the Festival, I know I’ll have lots to see that I wouldn’t at another time, but some of the things I consider when picking my tourist activities are:
1) Food!
This is one of my favourite parts of travel, and something I have to indulge in.a bit when I’m away. I think it’s one of the best ways of getting to know a place: through it’s cuisine. I like to try and pick at least one classic traditional place, so for Edinburgh… you know there’ll be some haggis involved.
And I like to pick a few spots which are quite casual: somewhere I can go and not feel too weird that I’m on my own. Dining alone can be a big fear for some people, and while I don’t mind it, I’m not exactly going to book a table for one in a fancy French restaurant only to be surrounded by couples. Or worse, a family restaurant surrounded by screaming brats.
TripAdvisor is usually where I go for ideas on restaurants, but I don’t recommend this for London because I’ve had a look and the top 20 or so are not where I’d recommend people go. I think some cities have learnt to game the system, paying for reviews etc, and London is clearly one of them.
2) Coffee!
Ok, both consumable so far but hear me out: finding great cafes is a serious speciality of mine, and I’m always blown away by the places I find abroad. Again, it’s lovely to get an understanding of the local culture, while chilling out and doing some reading about the place or just giving your feet a rest.
So I’ll be looking for some of the most hipster looking places, I won’t lie, and a good place to try to find these are actually blogs. So I tend to search google for things like ‘top coffee spots in Edinburgh’ or ‘best cafes in Lisbon’ or wherever you’re going. There’ll be a bunch of travel bloggers who have compiled decent lists with photos and so on.
3) Parks
So one thing I love to do when I’m away, especially if it’s a city break, is to make sure I squeeze in some time in nature. I discovered this love in Japan, when I became mildly obsessed with finding the small but perfectly formed green spots in Tokyo, a city you might think is all concrete and glass. Actually, it has some incredible parks and gardens - some are huge too - and I had some of my best times just exploring in those.
So I’ll be looking for green places, botanical gardens, parks and so on.
4) Places of Worship
Oh how I love a good cathedral! This is likely some subconscious Catholic bias I have, which I haven’t shaken, but I’m open to all sorts of religious structures. I loved the temples in Japan, I loved the synagogue in Budapest, and I loved the strange mosque/cathedral hybrid of Cordoba.
I love to find some real silence in these places, and have a little moment when I’m not thinking about my next meal or where I can charge my phone.
5) Tours
OK, this is something you might wonder why an introvert is putting on their list, especially one who is chasing to travel alone, but I have learnt that tours - yes, group tours - really make a trip into a memorable experience.
I don’t exactly make friends for life on afternoon tours of a city, but I’ve had some great encounters. If you’re planning a longer trip to a more exotic place, then I really recommend a tour group, at least for part of it. I went to South Africa in a group tour, and Japan, and I can’t imagine enjoying the places as much without the people I met.
It’s also a great way to learn about a place. I find my mind doesn’t really take in info from guide books and travel blogs that well, but having a real live person in front of me who I can ask dumb questions to, is amazing.
Now, other than national treasures that you’ve already heard of or somewhere you’ve been recommended, I think leaving the rest of your schedule open to chance is the way to go.
You might note I personally don’t include museums or art galleries, and might think I’m off my rocker given that I’m a self-professed visual creative and lover of art and cultural type things… but… I can do that stuff AT HOME.
There are still places on my doorstep I haven’t explored as much as I’d like, but the idea of walking through a museum just to see a painting of a place in another part of the world, strikes me as a bit disrespectful to the place I’m in.
It may be a strange philosophy, but I feel like museums and galleries are for locals, who ought to expand their knowledge on where they’re currently living, and tourists ought to see the parts of the city that usually only the locals see.
Each to their own, that’s just my approach.
OK That’s a wrap, I’m all planned up now - and I will have an update on what I actually end up doing in Edinburgh in a few weeks time.
For now, take care and I’ll catch you next week!
Links mentioned:Airbnb discount - (use this link to save £25 on your booking)
Fun rating: 8/10In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to someone I’ve actually met in REAL LIFE, which is always a treat, a fellow seaside dweller and creative introvert, Rachel Shorer.
Rachel writes and performs as a way to channel her tendency to overshare about her personal life and rant about stuff like feminism and culture. She’s about to go on a tour of women’s living rooms with her spoken word show 10 Mistakes Every Girls Makes in Her Twenties. She’s also working on a first novel, The PeaceWeaver’s Wordhoard, which I’m personally, very excited for.
I'll be honest: I was a bit reluctant to record today, partly because I'm simply not in the mood, and partly because I was feeling some guilt around the actual subject of today's Year of Fun.
I think I've gotten into the habit, particularly in recent YOF episodes, to pick things i think will be in some way beneficial to my personal growth - they might be a bit challenging, or require me to fly to Peru, you know: run-of-the-mill personal growth stuff.
But today I had to be honest and say: I have not done anything remotely growth related, I wasn't pushed outside my comfort zone, I wasn't made to purge lemongrass water... I just had a nice trip up to London with my friend.
And then, upon explaining my conundrum to someone else last night, I realised that actually: this is exactly what the Year of Fun is about, at least in part.
It's about me doing things for the sheer fun of them, it's about challenge too, but it's totally OK not to feel adrenaline every single week.
So.
I went to a cat cafe. This is Lady Dinah's cat cafe, one of the first - if not the first - in London, somewhere I'd been meaning to go to since it opened.
I'll admit I have been to cat cafes before, one in Japan, one in Budapest. But I'd never had a full on afternoon tea in one.
Two of my most favourite things: cats and cake!
So the place itself is in East London, fairly easy to get to. We waited for a wee bit before being led to our table - they're quite specific about timing so you have to book in advance.
The cafe is spread over two floors, and has a kind of Blue-Peter chic quality to it, which I think is trying to be like Alice in wonderland style but may be not quite nailing it.
There are meant to be 14 cats according to the website, but I don't think I saw more than 5 or 6, and mostly they were asleep. Which is what I expected, having been to similar cafes before and wondering if they had drugged the cats slightly to make them more docile.
But we know cats like a good sleep.
The afternoon tea arrived quickly, a bloody good spread. We had a tier of little rolls with tuna and egg salad, then the scones which were perfect and warm, and then a tier of cakes and macarons.
The cakes were so-so but the scones were perfect, and that's what counts.
The service was great, you get free refills on any drinks you want so I feel like you just about get your money's worth.
And that was that. I snapped a couple of pics of some sleepy kitties on our way out, and we headed across the street to the pub. A very fun afternoon, and a reminder that it's OK to do something fun, just because.
Fun rating: 8/10Full show notes here: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2p8
You might have heard/read the adage ‘What gets measured gets managed.’
It’s the idea that we can’t change or improve something unless we’re keeping track of it.
The simple act of paying attention to something will cause you to make connections you never did before, and you'll improve the those areas - almost miraculously, without any extra effort.
And it doesn’t mean only things with numbers can be measured: there are ways of turning more qualitative, subjective aspects of life into a measurable format.
This approach to personal development or creative business progress isn’t going to appeal to every introvert, I know. For ISTJs and ISTJs this approach might come naturally - but for other types like INFPs there might be some resistance to this more left-brain tracking habit.
But bare with me! This tracking business is seriously powerful - and it can be fun, if you decide to make it so.
In today's podcast, I'll be sharing the simple step that you can start taking today to make progress in any creative pursuit or life goal.I know I know! ANOTHER workshop. With a spiritual ilk. Is this the Year of Fun, or am I just having an existential crisis?
Hopefully I justified my reasoning for these group-based activities a bit more last week, but if not: I'll elaborate.
When you work from home, when you revel in your alone time, and actually get a lot of that solo time... it's very, very easy to get stuck in the trap of introvert isolation.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, introverts need people too! And I don't just mean coffee dates with your closest friends or collaborators, which I do get plenty of.
I mean being in a group of people, small enough to hear everyone's name, but big enough to not remember them all, this kind of group exposure is really beneficial to all of us - not just the most gregarious extroverts.
May be it's because I was raised a church-going Catholic and regardless of my beliefs (or lack thereof) now, I still have something in me that craves elaborate ceremony and ritual in a communal space... but I actually think it goes deeper than that, and more universal.
Our ancestors did not operate alone. They lived in communities. They worked together, ate together, slept together. In a community, we feel safe. If we found ourselves alone - particularly for an extended period - we were likely in danger. We might have done something wrong and our tribe abandoned us - now, we're at the mercy of nature and sabre-tooth tigers.
It seems plausible to me that we still retain some of that primal fear and discomfort, regardless of whether you're an introvert or not. And yes, I think my tolerance for alone time is WAY higher than my extrovert counterparts, but it isn't limitless.
These experiments I've been having with groups have shown me a lot - not just about whatever subject we're focussing on - but about myself, and how I perceive others and how I judge myself in relation to others.
So even after one of these gatherings, I get a LOT to reflect on.
This particular gathering I found by searching the local events for group meditation. As you might know, i've been on the mindfulness bandwagon for several years now, but am the first to sa: I'm CRAP at it.
Like, really. And I know I know, you can't be crap at meditation, we're all learning, it's a process blah blah blah.
But I really, really suck.
OK, that said, I know it's value. I know what I'm like when I go without it for a few days, and I dread to think what I'd be like if I didn't at least attempt to practise.
This particular event checked all my introvert-Goldilocks boxes.
Sweet. I also invited a friend along for extra accountability and bail-proofness.
I didn't know much about the style of meditation, I knew it would be Buddhist but that was as far as I could tell. And that the word 'embodiment' was used, which is a word I've heard and sounds like something I could use to combat my very dominant head.
It was held at Anahata Health Clinic, a big yellow building in Brighton, and I was pleased to see a big open door. I often struggle to find entrances to places, so that put me at ease.
I walked into a room where a few people were kind of pottering around, making tea, rolling out mats and placing oddly shaped cushions and foam blocks around at random, and while everyone seemed equally friendly and non-plussed about my entrance, no one was clearly the lead teacher or facilitator, nor were they clearly attendees.
Needless to say, I felt a bit lost as I carefully placed my lunch contribution. It's a nice feature of some other Buddhist events I've been to: a shared lunch after practise.
I brought lentil chips, hummus and olives, because that was all I found in a nearby health shop that seemed appropriate.
At some point the very lovely Sheila entered, welcoming me warmly and showing me around the... small room. I instantly warmed to her and she only continued to go higher in my estimations throughout the morning.
Once we were sat around, myself and my accomplice chose to plonk down on those nice, firm meditation cushions, while others did the same or sat on chairs or lay on the floor.
This in itself I LOVED. There was a lot of encouragement from Sheila to DO WHAT YOU WANT. That there is no one right way and wrong way, and that particularly with the exercises we'd be doing, it's mostly about getting yourself comfortable.
I think this in itself is a great little lesson about paying ATTENTION to what YOU need. The rebel in me gets rubbed up the wrong way when I'm told to sit up straight and not move a millimetre, but at the same time the good-girl, type-A perfectionist strives to do what teacher says to show that I can.
It's a push pull that's caused me a great deal of stress in my life, and one I'm quite ready to drop in favour of MY needs.
OK so the exercises. I won't bore you with the details, but I'll link to some of the resources Sheila mentioned in the show notes. The aim with these were to get a sense of embodiment, and I take that to mean, getting more in touch with and aware of our physical bodies. As I've mentioned before, I have a real hard time with that, as someone whose mind is constantly whirring and who often forgets she has a body, let alone is able to use it.
We did one practise that involved alternate nostril breathing, which normally annoys me, but I for some reason found it really helpful with Sheila's instruction. I also liked her secular approach: whilst she acknowledged the idea of channels running down our back, which sound a lot like the Chinese meridian lines, there was no forcing this - it seemed like she was using it as a way to just get us to use our imagination to be a bit more aware of our bodies.
That was exactly what I needed. We ended with a visualisation I chose to lie down for, which involved us sinking into the ground, which I suppose if you have a fear of being buried alive might have been unpleasant, but I quite liked it and felt very chilled and content by the end.
The class FLEW by. I also loved the fact that Sheila acknowledged she forgot to get us to introduce ourselves (which is something I despise anyway) but did this at the end instead - which, actually works a lot better because after a couple of hours of meditation together, you feel a whole lot more comfortable with your group.
Then we had lunch together, I chatted to my friend and a couple of the other lovely attendees, and we said our goodbyes.
This was a really nice way to get my community fix - and to get a really good meditation practise that I would simply never make time for at home.
Links mentioned: Fun rating: 8/10In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Dana Kaye of Branding Outside the Box.
Dana helps driven entrepreneurs make more meaningful use of time by offering simple, easy-to-implement productivity hacks. At Branding Outside the Box, Dana draws from her experience helping hundreds authors launch their unique brands.
What we discussed:Another group activity today, this time: a Yin yoga workshop.
Why all the group activities, you might be wondering? After all, isn't this an INTROVERT'S Year of Fun?
It's true, as an introvert I do value my alone time. Oh boy do I value it. And if I don't get enough of it, yes, I become a grumpy, tired and all around unpleasant person to be around. Which works out because then I can have my alone time again.
But one thing I have become aware of in this Year of Fun (also, can you believe we're nearly half way through?) is that I ALSO get a lot from group activities.
That is, I get a lot from certain group activities. In fact my range of pleasure from group activities is incredibly limited, but it's also incredibly intense.
Like a laser beam of fun, rather than a ceiling light.
One thing that made me realise that I ought to give more group settings a try is being in ceremony back in Peru. I LOVED that intimate group setting.
Just being in a circle in a dark room that smelled nice probably did a lot for me.
However, you're also probably aware by now of some of the groups that haven't been to my liking, notably the intense and arguably unfriendly Charleston gang, as well as the happy clappy hippies of the holotropic breathwork. Not for me.
So this week I decided a yoga workshop, a yin one at that, would be more to my taste.
For one, it was an activity I was already familiar with.
For two, it was going to be in a small group, I had guessed less than 10.
Plus it checked off my classic introvert-friendly time limit of 2 hours. Perfect.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Caroline Van Kimmenade of the Happy Sensitive.
I’ve talked a little bit about being a hsp or a highly sensitive person on the podcast before, and you might be familiar with the term yourself. You might even consider yourself to be one - while not all introverts are HSPs, there is a good majority, something estimated around 70% of all introverts.
And you might have read the classic book by Elaine Aron, who I believe introduced the world to the term, or at least popularised it. But my go-to girl for practical advice and reassuring words is Caroline Van Kimmenade, also known as the Happy Sensitive.
What we discussed:My interest in the nature of the mind, consciousness and all things esoteric has been steadily growing since I was at university. That said, I wasn’t exactly scientific in my approaches to this exploration. A few space cakes won’t make you an existential philosopher, even if you think so at the time.
I found yoga and through that, meditation, in my early twenties and I literally don’t know what my life would be like if I hadn’t. I’m not sure if I’d have a life.
But I never dove in very deeply beyond some Youtube videos and may be the odd class.
That was until I made my way to Brighton, where I found a community - in fact a city - of people who LOVE to have the big, deep conversations as much as I do, and who can teach me a whole lot more than a Youtube video.
So where has this led me? Well, for one it led my to Peru, which you might have hear if you’ve been following along.
It has also led me down less adventurous, but arguably as powerful for some, practises such as today’s YOF adventure: Breathwork.
I’d only come across this term 6 months ago, and since hearing about it on a podcast or two, I let it sit on my to-do list, but didn’t really take it further.
Until, I got back from Peru and decided I need to start exploring this stuff further. Partly because I think there’s a lot more to this world than what meets the eye, and partly because I’m bloody dubious about many of the practises that are offered, and I want to be able to sort the wheat from the chaff.
So last week, in the name of science, and fun, I tried a breathwork workshop.
When I first heard of breathwork, I just assumed it was some variation on the kind of stuff you might do in a yoga class. Breath of fire, lions breath - these are all different techniques that I’ve dabbled in, not without some resistance, when in a yoga class.
Much of a muchness, if I’m honest. But what I’d heard about this kind of breathwork, more specifically known as Holotropic Breathwork, is that it takes you a LOT further. And by further, I mean it doesn’t just calm you down for 10 minutes. I mean it can take you to places in your mind (or to some, other realms) and do as much work on your psyche as you could in an hour or two with a therapist.
Yikes.
Naturally, I went with an open but skeptical mind. (Yes, it’s possible to have both at once.)
To explain what I was getting myself into, i’ll read from the website that I booked the workshop through:
"What if there was something right under your nose that could change the way you see the world and offer you health, harmony and peace of mind? Wouldn’t you want to know what that was?
Alchemy of Breath is a system of breathing practices that restore your self-awareness, love and compassion. By working with Anthony you will discover breathing techniques that will have an immediate effect on your wellbeing, and can be incorporated instantly into your daily life, improving your relationship with yourself, and therefore with the world around you."
OK. Not bad considering breathing is free (though the workshop definitely was not.)
I’ll also point to Stanislav Grof, who you might be familiar with, but for everyone else: he's a Czech psychiatrist, one of the founders of the field of transpersonal psychology and a researcher into the use of non-ordinary states of consciousness for purposes of exploring, healing, and obtaining growth and insights into the human psyche.
And he is responsible for bringing holotropic breathwork to the wide world. Interestingly, he developed it as a kind of legal-successor to his LSD-based psychedelic therapy, following the suppression of legal LSD use in the late 1960s.
According to a 2009 publication from the American Cancer Association, "Breathwork has no verified beneficial effect on health, although there is some evidence it may help relaxation. However, some people find its effects distressing.”
OK. Fine. I’ll take my chances I thought...
Raise your hand if you’ve ever said that to yourself or anyone else. (Unless you’re in a public place, in which case, I’ll let you off the hook with a blink.) You probably already know on a deeper level that it isn’t really lack of time that’s stopping you from pursuing your dreams, ambitions - or just getting those little nagging tasks taken care of. There’s the old Instagram adage: “You have the same hours in the day as Beyoncé…” To which we reply, "BUT BEYONCÉ ISN'T DRIVING HER KIDS TO SCHOOL TODAY!” I’ve come to the conclusion that even Beyoncé is probably whining sometimes about not having enough hours in the day, too. This is all part of the human condition: we’re forever wanting more, more, MWAR! And it’s easy to throw our hands up in frustration because we can’t have it all, all at once (not that we’d even like that if we had it… after all, would you really want to eat ALL the food you’ll ever eat all in one sitting? Probably not. You want it in a steady stream, ideally every day.) But if we remember that we’ll get exactly what we need to get done, done, all in good time… Oh, isn’t that a relief? In today's podcast, we'll be tackling time. I can't promise you more time, but I can promise you a way to make the most of the time you DO have. Full show notes here >>
A somewhat gentler Year of Fun challenge from last week... but not without it's own risks of mild peril.
Candle making was something that wasn't actually on my Year of Fun bucket list, until a small brainwave I had a couple of months ago.
Two male friends on separate occasions expressed their irrational love for... candles.
Without going into any gender stereotypes, I'll just say that I was surprised. I like candles well enough, but really I'm more of an incense gal.
But these guys were very enthusiastic about the waxen light source. In fact one coughed up £30 for a candle that smelled of obscure trees. £30.
Pondering this mystery, the brainwave came to me.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Thea Orozco of Introvertology.
Thea started Introvertology four years ago, after talking to two frustrated people on Twitter who had been comparing themselves to others and feeling broken. It was clear to her that they weren’t broken, they were one of the 50% of the US population whose strengths aren’t shouted from the rooftops.
After working for a time as a life coach for introverts, Thea realised that she got a kick out of helping her entrepreneur clients. She also noticed a pattern with introverted entrepreneurs and thought leaders – that many of them couldn’t grow their business because they were approaching social media marketing like an extrovert, so they felt overwhelmed and burnt out and with a huge case of imposter syndrome.
So now she's here, helping introverted entrepreneurs make a difference in this world by authentically sharing their products and gifts and knowledge and ideas.
What we discussed:Oh boy. Where to begin...
I guess at the beginning. On January 14th 2018, I booked myself in for the trip of a life time.
A trip to Peru... and a trip in Peru.
There was the flight, that was one part of the trip. Then there was the psychedelic trip. the spiritual trip. The healing trip. That part of the journey was with ayahuasca, a 'plant medicine' which makes DMT available in our body.
DMT is a very powerful stimulator of seretonin receptors in the brain, which doesn't normally get into the body because it's broken down by the stomach. But when you make a drink with the a plant like chacruna (containing DMT) and mix it with the vine of ayahuasca, the latter acts as a blocking agent and the DMT can get into the body, and the effects are rather undeniable.
While the plant is illegal in the UK and many other parts of the world, it is still currently legal in South America, and the most popular place for us gringos to experience it is in Peru.
I won't bore you with the backstory, but I had done my research and decided that if I found a retreat centre that looked safe and appealing, I'd go for it. Dreamglade checked all my boxes, I found some reasonably priced flights for May and off I went.
First off, I just hope I do a good job at explaining what I understand ayahuasca to be, and basically do the whole tradition justice. If you think ayahuasca is another party drug, or something to try out for the 'fun of the ride', you've got the wrong end of the vine.
In this podcast, I'm going to go in depth about my experience (so you'll notice it's a fair amount longer than usual) and I hope I can offer some help and answer some questions to any of you pondering ayahuasca use for its healing properties.
As always, if you have any questions after the show, simply send an email to hello@thecreativeintrovert.com and I'll do my best to answer or find someone who can.
The starting place for any adventure, project, collaboration, big leap, epic change, scary ass challenge that I take on is answering the simple question:
Why?
Why am I doing this?
Why am I really doing this?
Why does this matter to me?
It's not often I get asked these 'why' questions. More common is 'How'?
How do you get the courage to speak on stage?
How did you build your website?
How do you grow your lnstagram account?
These questions are pointless, without first finding your why.
But I get why you aren't asking why more.
It’s not a question we’re encouraged to ask. At one point, you were probably really good at asking ‘why?’… that was until some big person told you to be quiet and stop being so nosey.
Or my personal (un)favourite: ‘I’ll tell you when you’re older.’
My parents have a LOT of questions to answer…
Anyway, starting with why isn’t a new or radical idea. You just have to watch the TED talk by Simon Sinek to get on that bandwagon.
The reason I’m getting into it today with you, at the start of this 21 day journey into facing the Resistance, is to show you how having your grand Why will help you when it comes to overcoming creative resistance, that inner critic, and finally achieving all your dreams.
I realised some time ago the only way I can do something scary, something my inner Resistance is preventing me from undertaking, is to have a damn good reason why.
Full show notes: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2mB
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Kerstin Pressler of Sparkling Creative.
What we discussed:For the show notes: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2kY
We’ve spent the last three podcasts in this Enneagram series going through the three triads, covering all the core 9 types. The idea is that your core type, one of the nine numbers we’ve discussed, describe your personality overall.
However: it gets a bit more complex. The wing - another type - adds an important, sometimes contradictory, element to your personality.
Last weekend was opening weekend and I surprised myself: I got stuck in to Brighton Festival for the first time.
On Saturday I went with a friend to a comedy gig. I didn’t have much in terms of expectations, I just knew it was at the right time of day (early evening - I’m not going to an 9pm gigs because, bedtime) and it was in the right place: the Warren.
The Warren is a part of the festival that I’ve heard very good things about, so I wanted to explore it. And oh boy: was I in for a treat.
I have this thing, may be it’s because I’m fairly empathic or maybe it’s because I know how it feels to be on stage…
But I make extra effort to smile and laugh.
And may be it was the beer, but after the initial awkward 5 minutes (which by the way EVERYONE experiences - something to think about if you’re scared of being on stage - you only need to get past the first 5 minutes)
After that passed, I was basically in hysterics. And I mean hysterics: laughing and crying. Yes, there were tears. I think the comedian took a shine to me then, because I was clearly a fan - and pulled me on stage to dance with him as part of this bit where he acts out the starting credits to Magnum PI, with the themesong playing…
Apparently I was only there for 15 seconds, but it obviously felt like an eternity.
Thank god there was some booze in the system or that would have been much, much worse.
Click here for show notesIf you’ve been keeping up with this series on the Enneagram system, you’ll know about what it is, where it comes from, all the different nine personality types and the wings of each type.
Unless you’re already familiar with the Enneagram, I really recommend going back and checking out the rest of the series here, in order to get much sense from today's post.
OK so today we’re talking about the Levels of Development. Now this is what really got me hooked and interested in learning more about the Enneagram because I don’t know of any other typology system that really lays out in detail this idea of progress within each personality type.
And forgive me, if you’re someone who understands the Enneagram as more than just a personality typology, I know it’s not defined in that way by everyone, but for the sake of this beginners series, let’s look at it in that light.
The idea is that there is an overall structure to each personality type. Each type description spans from healthy traits, to its average traits, and then to its unhealthy traits.
Full episode show notes here: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2jA
Reading is one of the best solitary activities there is, and I for one have always been - since I could read I guess - a big old book worm.
But one thing that you can’t do alone, is discuss the book afterwards - and this is something I love to do. It’s like going to see a film: for me, the best part is discussing the film afterwards with the person you went with. And as much as I love solo cinema going I do miss that post-mortem part.
So books are no different. On the odd occaision someone has read the same book as me - ideally recently because my memory sucks - there’s nothing like a good discussion about the book. What we liked, what we didn’t like, what we learned.
Oh and on that note - most of the books - 99% - are non-fiction. For whatever reason, I got on the non-fiction train a few years ago and haven’t gotten off since, apart from the odd graphic novel.
But I don’t have many friends who read non-fiction quite as avidly as I do, well, until I moved to Brighton. Last year, while hunting for speakers for a live event myself and a friend put on, Wildfire Women, I met Donna for the first time.
Donna is the founder of Gozen Girls and has recently started her own podcast.
The idea behind Gozen Girls is getting together to discuss books, mostly non-fiction, written by women. The non-fiction part is what hooked me, and I finally went to my first GG book club: I didn’t have a choice when I saw the book to be discussed was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert.
I loveElizabeth Gilbert. So much. I had put off reading Eat Pray Love for the longest time, purely because I thought it was - and please don’t get offended - ‘chick lit’. I thought it was a fictional account of some soppy love story and that just didn’t inspire me to read.
But then someone gave me a copy as a gift, and I decided - why the hell not. Since reading EPL, I declared my all out fangirl status for Elizabeth Gilbert and decided to consume all of her works.
Big Magic is her finest work, in my opinion, second only by a hair to EPL.
Now it’s safe to say that the book club were a fan too. And, happily, everyone there was all up for having those big conversations that Gilbert starts in Big Magic: about creativity, the resistance, fear, courage, purpose, creative calling and so much more.
It was an awesome night full of stimulating conversations that left me pondering all sorts of questions afterwards, and reminded me of how lucky I am to have this creative, open minded community on my doorstep. Which I guess I already knew, but if someone didn’t know that, all they would have to do is go to a book club like this and see for themselves.
And that’s my message for you today. Is there a ready-made community available for you on your doorstep? May be it’s also a book club - they’re common in most cities. Or can you be the one to start one, like Donna?
It doesn’t take much to get a group of people giving there opinions about something they love, like a book, and you don’t have to do anything other than show up. In fact, a couple of women who joined us did just that: they sat back and absorbed.
I didn’t leave feeling drained, likely because it was lifted to two hours which is just about my limit, and everyone was polite enough to give each other space to pipe up, if they wanted.
No pressure from Donna, who was a wonderful facilitator: who asked great questions and gave us a worksheet to go through which I found very helpful. If you’re subscribed to the Museletter you’ll receive the questions Donna gave us from that in this week’s update.
So, a perfectly introvert friendly evening, even if it was technically a group environment.
Fun rating: 8/10 Links mentioned:If you’ve been following along on this Enneagram series so far, you’ll know exactly what the heck I’m talking about and are ready for this instalment where I go through the final 3 types 8,9,1 of the Enneagram.
If not, don’t worry! You’ll want to go back to the first episode in this series, which you can find here.
Ok so last week I spoke about the Thinking triad: that is the three personality types, described by the enneagram that are types 5,6,7.
Today we’re onto the Instinctive triad: so we have three more personality types to dig into.
What what - an introvert at a conference!?
I know - but remember I do like a challenge...
This was an unexpectedly fun part of my week, and my conclusion for why this was is... FOCUS.
My funk last week, I believe, is down to a lack of focus.
A feeling that is definitely disturbing to type-A MUST BE ACHIEVING folk like myself.
Focussing on a speaker at a conference is much like the equivalent of watching a film at the cinema vs. watching Netflix at home. Your focus is increased. I bet you aren't scrolling through Instagram at the cinema.
Fun rating: 7.5/10I did leave at lunchtime (6 speakers is quite enough for me, thank you) but I feel that was the perfect dose of though-provoking information, lots of tips and a lot of people to carry me into the weekend!
(NOTE: This is also the first ever off-the-cuff podcast I've recorded, so if you want the full low down - word fluff and all - definitely listen to the full episode.)
If you’ve been following along on this Enneagram series so far, you’ll know exactly what the heck I’m talking about and are ready for this instalment where I go through the types 5,6,7 of the Enneagram.
If not, don’t worry! You’ll want to go back to the first episode in this series, which you can find here.
Ok so last week I spoke about the Feeling triad: that is the three personality types, described by the enneagram that are types 2,3,4.
Today we’re onto the Thinking triad: so we have three more personality types to dig into.
I've been in a bit of a funk lately... nothing serious, just a bit of apathy that I know will pass.
What's weird is that things that might have excited me and challenged me and delighted me in the past, aren't quite doing the job this time.
Do you ever experience this? I'm sure, if you're human, you do. It's not a feeling that says something's wrong, or even that there's a problem to solve. In some ways, I'd love a problem to solve - as long as it means I can get fired up about it.
Instead, I'm left with a vague sense of impatience and craving, but without any real drive to take wholehearted action - which is odd, because I've historically been a very action-oriented, head strong type.
So this apathy can range from day to day activities, certain coffee shops I love (or have loved) to work in, bits and bobs for the Creative Introvert and how I choose to spend my free time - including many of the activities I've put in my Jar of Fun.
But what does this all meeeean??
Well, that's the question I've been asking. i've been journalling about it, discussing it with my pals, sending intentions out to the universe to answer me: what is this slump all about?
If something isn't fun anymore... What's changed?
If the activity hasn't changed... And my circumstances are still the same - and on the whole, very good - I guess it's me that's the culprit of this change.
Now I embrace change, or at least I attempt to.
Particularly personal change - heck, I wouldn't have started this Creative Introvert business if I wasn't a personal development junkie myself.
But I can't deny this has made me feel a bit like an awkward chrysalis (by the way, have you seen the process of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly? That sh*t is crazy) somewhere between my former caterpillar self, wiggling around and munching on everything in it's path, and the incredible butterfly that soars all around your garden.
It's not entirely pleasant, but I'll take it if it means the butterfly stage is coming.
I'm also using this caterpillar butterfly metaphor to explain - to myself as well as you - the change we all go through at various stages of life, over and over again, as we shed our former self that may be limiting us in some way, and become what we're destined to be.
I'm using the word 'destined' lightly, because I'm not sold on the idea of fate or destiny currently, but I am a big believer in their being a True Self, or a more authentic, genuine self, that we're possibly always subconsciously aware of... and are always getting steered towards from within... if we listen carefully.
Ok so esoteric stuff aside, what does this mean for the Year of Fun?
Well, I've decided to take an approach which I've been doing more and more over the recent year or so, but my former caterpillar self would absolutely balk at.
I've been looking at my to-do list and only picking out what I want to do in that moment.
If something feels uninspiring, I leave it for a time when I'm feeling more up to it.
Of course, I still keep my appointments and scheduled calls, but I haven't been acting on something just because it's in my Asana calendar.
Now there are times when this approach might not be a good idea, and of course I'm in a position where I'm under very little external pressure or responsibilities, but on the whole: I think each and every one of us could stand to pay attention to the way we feel about the day-to-day tasks we demand of ourselves.
We go into autopilot, and this isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it can be limiting you becoming your butterfly self. When you stop and pay attention to how you really feel about things in your life that were once serving you but now may be aren't... that's when you can usher in real change.
Of course, this is especially applicable to this little Year of Fun project. Part of me - the INTJ - the thinker, the finisher, the doer, the analyser - wants to turn everything into a science experiment with rules and controls and a method and an aim and... I'm not sure that's helping me find my FUN.
Full show notes: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2li
Last week I introduced this series which is all about the Enneagram: a system for describing nine personality types.
Like I said, I see this as just one more way of learning about yourself, and it’s a fun tool to geek out on.
Today we’re going to be looking at three of the nine types, which all fall under the Feeling triad.
The two, also known as the helper, the three, also known as the Achiever and the Four, also known as the Romantic.
When these three types are at their best, they’re in touch with their feelings, their emotions, they’re compassionate and considerate of others - they’re basically the nurturing ones we need in our life.
But when they’re at their worst, they can get out of touch with their feelings, suppressing them in order to conform or be liked by others, rejecting their own identity in the belief that they’ll be more lovable if they act in another way: creating a false self image.
Links mentioned:Personality Types by Don Richard Riso
The Enneagram Made Easy by Renee Baron and Elizabeth Wagele
Here we are - the 13th week of Fun in the year.
Since we last spoke I had a birthday, exited my twenties - with some trepidation, some relief.
I was planning to use my birthday as the subject of this week’s podcast but if I’m honest, there was little to say other than, I had a nice time with my best friends, basically on a pub crawl around my beloved Brighton.
But that’s a very short episode and I figured you deserved something more substantial.
Fortunately, my quest to find something else fun to do this week to tell you about resulted in some interesting self reflection, and that’s really what I want to tell you about.
Sure, I made a collage, which was in my jar of fun, a safe option, and something I really should do more often. I’m a bit of a hoarder when it comes to magazines, which is understandable when the ones I buy can cost up to £10 or so.
But cutting them up and making an interesting collage from them makes me feel a bit more justified in my hoarding.
Weirdly, my favourite part of making a collage is the cutting. I love the process of flicking through a magazine or catalogue and finding images or words that speak to me. The actual assembly part is much of a muchness.
Anyway, back to my revelation.
When I pulled ‘make a collage’ from the jar of fun, I was a bit disappointed. I’ve mentioned before about my need for challenge, so I suppose that ws missing. But there was another element: people.
Recently, I’ve had some really really fun times with people. Not randoms either, I mean people I consider my very good friends.
And whilst I still enjoy my solo cinema trips or an hour spent cutting and sticking for a collage, there’s part of me that is really craving that sense of a shared experience.
Improv wouldn’t have been as fun if I didn’t have my accomplice, thank you Rachel. That cottage weekend was fun entirely because of the company I was in.
This realisation definitely put me in a bit of a tailspin.
Am I questioning my introversion?
No, actually. Because I know where my boundaries lie. I know that a shared activity doesn’t mean doing something with strangers - like the Charleston episode. It’s doing things with people I know and love.
It also doesn’t mean partying late into the night - groups above 5-6 become substantially more draining for me.
It just means making time, regularly, to do things for fun whilst also considering asking a friend or two to come along. I’m very rarely the one to ask someone to ‘do something’ with me. I get the invites, I say yay or nay. That’s been my comfort zone for these 30 years.
But now, I’m wondering if embracing my idea of fun means being the inviter, not just the invitee. Which also means getting used to the idea of hearing no, i’m busy. Or no, not for me. Yikes. Is this how extroverts feel?
Anyway, that’s all for today - I’m going to send out some invites this weekend to see if I can recruit anyone to partake in a fun activity with me - and I will let you know how I get on. Wish me luck!
People are weird.
Right?
l don't know about you but understanding myself is hard enough, let alone the behaviour of others.
This is one of the reasons I'm a self-confessed junkie of personality type testing.
If you listened to any of the Self Knowledge Series - the 10 part series that l published at the tail end of 2017, you might be familiar with some of my favourite typologies or at least the ones I've found most helpful in my personal life and my creative business career.
If you missed it, you can scroll back through the archives or download my free, 68-page handbook that takes you through each of the type tests and explains how to use them in a practical way.
That said, the series is by no means complete. There are MANY more typologies out there, some more useful than others, but plenty worth checking out.
The one that has most recently got me excited is definitely not new, and I'm sure many of you will be familiar with it, and that's the Enneagram.
So... what IS the Enneagram? And why do you need to know about yet ANOTHER typology?
Well that's what I'll be covering in today's podcast, and over the next several weeks.
Links mentioned:Matthew Campling's 12-Type Enneagram (example of the numerology stuff)
Personality Types by Don Richard Riso
A little back story for today’s Fun recap, which is a bit of a yearly tradition. Around the Easter break, myself and 5 very dear friends have a habit of going away. We’ve been to Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and they’ve all been some of my favourite holidays ever.
This holiday however, we all stayed in one rather large house in the English countryside, somewhere near Godalming I believe. My slight concern was that there wouldn’t really be any chance of me having some solo time, other than at night, especially when the weather is a bit pants and the idea of going for a little walk on my own was less appealing than going to an all night rave.
Full show notes: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2kv
Do you feel like you’re ready to quit?
Do you feel like you’re flogging a dead horse and beginning to look like a creazy person to you fam and friends?
Do you have an iron-clad grip on a project or pursuit that is costing you time, money and energy - and your sanity?
Then OH BOY do I have a podcast for you!
Shownotes >> https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2bL
My bad: I did indeed miss one update last week, and I honestly don’t have a particularly good excuse.
Show Notes: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2k3
It did help me remember that.. the whole point of this year long challenge is to explore the concept of fun: what fun means to me, what new ways can I explore fun, and that also means finding out what I don’t find fun.
There were a handful of fun things I could have told you about last week: but the actual idea of sitting down to write, record and edit a podcast… sounded terribly un-fun.
Which taught me something new:
Fun fluctuates. What sounds fun one day - or even most days - may not be fun on another.
And this level of instinct: of going with what feels good for me right now and paying attention to what my body is saying - rather than my dictator-like mind that so badly wants to follow the script and do what my Asana calendar says - this is something I’m really working on right now. Practising, may be a better way to describe it.
But here we are: I’m back in a more inspired mood, ready to fill you in on my latest fun adventures.
This is a bit of a controversial one, but I’d love to ask you dear listener: what comes to mind when you think of going to the cinema - or ‘the movies’ if you’re stateside - all alone?
For a very long time, this was a total no-go for me. As much as this introvert embraces virtually all solitary versions of activities… with some exceptions - seeing a film alone was just not on the list of fun.
Until… I was travelling solo in Avignon, a few years back, and I found myself rather bored on a rainy day. And I just happened to be right by their trendy artsy cinema, which was showing a film in English (with French subtitles.)
And… Yes, I felt a bit awkward for all of 5 minutes, until I realised how brilliant this was. I mean, it’s the perfect solo activity because what kind of maniac speaks in the cinema? Bad form. Compare that to a meal, where talking to your buddy can enhance the experience - well, if you like commenting on your food as much as I do…
In addition, I could cry without holding back! Which has become a habit of mine, almost regardless of what film I’m watching - I can’t seem to control my emotions in my old age, and have even been known to cry in trailers. Doesn’t take much.
OK so: the cinema: a fun activity, in my opinion regardless of companionship.
I actually managed two cinema trips in the last fortnight, one solo, one with friends.
One experience cost all of £4, one cost over £65.
Which was more fun?
Well..
The £4 experience was the solo trip. I happened to be in Worthing, an arguably sleepy town not far from my place in Brighton, and I thought it would be a nice end to a rather high-adrenaline morning (I taught a workshop that morning) plus the theatre itself, called the Dome, is really quite charming looking, and I figured it would be worth a look inside at least.
Now I had no idea you could still go to the cinema for less than £10 in the UK. But £4 tickets that - get this - included a free cup of tea or coffee… well, that is still blowing my mind.
And the theatre itself is genuinely lovely - much nicer than the big multiplexes we have that cost a fortune and have sticky floors.
So that was a success. I watched the Shape of Water, which I adored, cried heartily at, and have continued to argue with my loved ones about. That’s the other part of the solo cinema experience: I thought I’d miss the long debates I have afterwards discussing the film, but more often than not, your mates will at some point see it too even if you go separately. Plenty of chances for film debates.
Ok so cinema experience #2: the £60-odd quid experience, was a bit more unique. This is the Secret Cinema: which is basically an immersive experience where you go to some warehouse in the arse-end of nowhere, which has been decked out to look like you’re on the set of a blockbuster film.
I’d been to a Star Wars themed one before, which was amazing, but this one was Blade Runner.
Now, I’m a fan Blade Runner, both the original and the revamp. I even tolerated Ryan Gosling for 2.5 hours.
And this experience was - I think it’s the first fun activity I’ve spoken to you about - which involved my actual real life friends. Who were by far the highlight of my night: the actual Secret Cinema itself was… underwhelming.
It was kind of fun being in this seedy world of neon lights, actual rain even though we were indoors, strange laboratories, a kind of strip club…. Sure, they did a good job.
When it came time to watch the film, you sort of forget what you came to do. And despite paying through our noses for tickets, you didn’t even get a free tea.
Honestly? I’d take a quiet afternoon in the Dome over Secret Cinema any day.
Fun rating for Worthing’s Dome: 8/10 Fun rating for Secret Cinema: 5/10Ben O’Brien (aka Ben the Illustrator) likely needs no introduction especially if you’re a fellow illustrator - and even if you’re not - there’s a good chance you’ve seen his work, whether it was in the Guardian, GQ or for one of the other high profile clients he’s worked with. Ben also produced a phenomenal survey of over 1000 illustrators in 2017, and this was partly why I couldn’t wait to chat to him. We discuss his surprising findings, as well as his ideal workday routine, what he would do differently if he started all over today, and some of Ben’s favourite podcasts.
When I worked a 9–5 job in a design agency, I couldn’t think of anything worse than living the same day over and over again… until the weekend, at which point my routine fell apart and with the help of a lot of booze and ice cream, so did I.
Freeing myself from those shackles, my life took the other direction - and my first few months as a freelancer looked a lot like CHAOS.
I figured, my life was now about FREEDOM. Why ruin it with boring old routine?
Now. I have learnt since then that if you embrace routine, designing your life to suit your needs, desires and values - even if you’re a routine rebel - you will actually create MORE freedom than you ever dreamed possible.
Not to mention the success which comes with getting shit done.
So… how to go about designing your ideal life through routine? That’s what this podcast episode is for.
Links mentioned:If you read the title, you'll know already that I did not uphold my planned fun activity this week which was to go to a car boot sale.
Unfortunately the British springtime weather just didn't seem appropriate for a wander around parked cars on the 9th floor of a car park.
So I did what any sensible introvert would do and went to a museum.
If I'm honest, staying in doors would arguably have been as much fun.
Back to back cups of tea and episodes of Girls, being entertained by Lena Dunham and the crew.
But I know myself well enough to remember: staying in doors all day ends up making me quite a grump, come 4pm.
I did attempt to entertain myself indoors: I rearranged the furniture in my bedroom which was satisfying.
But then I was finished... and only 20 minutes had passed.
I think this need for novelty is to do with my high sensation seeking nature, which often conflicts with my high sensitivity and introversion, it's a push pull situation that can really make decision making tough at times like this.
Past of me says stay inside where is dry and safe, part of me says get out and experience the new!
If you want to know more about that high sensation seeking and high sensitivity dynamic duo, I recommend checking out the podcast I recorded with Dr Ken Carter.
Ok so the museum.
To be fair, this place is all of a 5 minute walk from where i live,so i really didn't have much of an excuse not to go.
Actually, if it wasn't for the year of fun, I'd probably never get round to going. .. it's that weird phenomenon that happens when you live somewhere with lots on your doorstep but never go because they're so close to home. You'll get round to it one day.
Full shownotes here: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2iK
Show notes >> https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2hW
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Joe Moran, historian of the everyday, about his book on shyness, ‘Shrinking Violets.’
What we discussed:Shrinking Violets by Joe Moran
Quiet by Susan Cain
Connect with Joe:SHOWNOTES: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2hK
By far the classiest, most cultured edition of the Year of Fun so far - I went to see (and hear) the orchestra!
I've only been to the orchestra once before: the result of a spare ticket needing a taker, and I took it.
Honestly, the first time: I wasn't super excited. I like live music, though I very rarely go to gigs these days because of, you knew, standing in a sweaty crowd of strangers, the worst of whom who have no ability to recognise that standing in front of a 5'3" girl isn't the most thoughtful thing to do when youre 6’4".
But sitting in a nice theatre with lots of people who's average age doubles your own? Heck yes: that's my kind of fun on a Sunday afternoon.
Anyway, that first time I was in tears within 5 mins - I was overwhelmed with the magic of it.
Seeing these real people move in such precision & synchronicity to play music that is the auditory equivalent to the Mona Lisa... I mean, it was incredible.
So naturally I was pretty thrilled when I pulled this one out of the Jar of Fun last week.
For one: this really is a perfect thing for an over-thinking introvert like me to do on a rainy afternoon. Honestly I was in quite a funk all weekend, for no real reason, just feeling like a cloud of discontent, itchiness & apathy was passing overhead and the last thing I wanted to do was to sit at my laptop… But I didn't want to see anyone either.
The orchestra provided a perfect respite from a - temporary - moodiness.
No demands to speak to anyone, perform or create: all of which I do actually enjoy, just at certain times. This musical break let me just exist, in my comfy chair, and be an observer .
Observing is one of my favourite ways to calm my busy mind- and I recommend it to any introvert who struggles as much as I do with traditional meditation.
Instead of challenging my mind: a kind of trap I fall into when I sit in silence & attempt to let my thoughts float by like clouds or whatever piece of shit advice you get on the Headspace app - instead, I let myself experience what's happening around me and use that as a point of focus.
Before long, I'm far more present & mindful than I can ever get when I try to sit still and go blank.
And by the way - you don't need to go to the orchestra to do this. I first practised this on a long distance walk on the South Downs. I started to pay a kind of unexciting game to distract myself from my achey legs: l started just noting the colour of everything around me.
Surprisingly, I wasn’t just saying: green, green, green - there were lots of colours to see, and it wasn’t long before I found myself in a zen-like reverie and not at all thinking about my sore legs.
Back to the orchestra:
Whilst I didn’t break down and start crying this time,
I was just as impressed by the performance.
My seat was amazing - first row of a balcony - so I could really see the whole team doing their thing.
The conductor was the star of the show, if I’m honest: at one point he jumped - both feet off the ground - he literally used his whole body to conduct. Amazing, especially when you’re working within an art form that is… well, formal - everyone has to dress in black and sit in a certain way and be about as regimented as an army platoon, with y’know, less killing people.
It also got me thinking about our position in life - whatever domain, whether it’s at home, or in school or in your career - we’re all individuals, yes - we all have our own piece of music to play - but we’re also part of this whole. That when you put us together, magic is created that wouldn’t otherwise exist.
Not the most unique of metaphors I know, but it really is perfect. It especially made me chuckle when I saw the guy whose job it is to play the triangle.
I mean, you look at these incredibly complex, elaborate, finely tuned instruments with lots of strings or pipes - and then you look at this seemingly simple, three-sided piece of bent metal. It seems kind of… juvenile, and out of place. Insignificant, next to it’s fellow percussion instrument: the cymbals. Whoah - they may be simple but everyone knows you pay attention to a clash from the cymbals.
That’s when I got a bit of a surprise. When the triangle got going, towards the end of one piece, it was unmissable. It’s distinct sound calling our attention, emphasising the beat and cutting through the entire strings and wind and brass section - it definitely gave the cymbals a run for their money.
So, another cheesy metaphor, but I can’t help myself - don’t underestimate the seemingly small, simple and insignificant parts. They DO make a difference and certainly hold their own.
Now I know getting to an orchestra may not be as easy for you as it was for me - here in Brighton, a considerably culture-friendly city - but I’ll bet you can make time to sit and just listen to a classic piece of music. It doesn’t need to be classical, but I would encourage it: partly because of the fun you can have in playing my noticing game.
So like I described on my walk, where I noticed the colours of all the things - try to notice the details in the music - what instruments can you hear? How does it make you feel?
One of the pieces played was ‘Night on a Bald Mountain’ by Mussorgsky - also featured in Disney’s Fantasia - definitely made me feel high levels of anxiety, probably because of that scene in the film etched into my confused childhood head - but even that was fun to see how my body was responding to the music in such a dramatic way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu1no7hOlSs
Fun rating: 7/10It really was a lovely afternoon, and I thank you Brighton Philharmonic for the entertainment.
Next week's fun activity is...
Go to a car-boot sale!
SHOWNOTES: https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2bG
Recently, we've been talking about the joys - OK less so the joys - but at least the usefulness of email when it comes to getting anything from press, more work, better clients - all the things.
But... you may be a bit stuck on what to email.
You might not have any specific clients or journalists in mind, let alone knew what to say when you reach out.
Consider these 'warm up' emails. I go into these techniques more in-depth in the Email Answer, my online course but the general idea is...
That after sending any one of these emails you are starting a conversation, which sets you up for going in with an ask or your true pitch.
When you dive straight in with the ask like BUY MY THING! or HIRE ME! then you're likely to save someone away especially if they don't know you.
But when you start with a warm up, you move from stranger to... nice person who sent a thoughtful email.
So that's what I'm going to help you with in this podcast.
There are 3 emails that you can send anytime that are very likely start a great conversation.
Links mentioned:SHOWNOTES (+PICS) https://wp.me/p5bc9S-2gG
Nearly two months into the Year of Fun and as far as I'm concerned, this has definitely made what are normally pretty hellish months... actually quite fun.
This week's Fun activity was a callback to my childhood: Scratch Art.
I didn't have a name for this as a kiddo, but I do remember the confusion of seeing my older sister cover her square of paper, which she had beautifully coated in rainbow crayons, with a thick, oily black layer, hiding all her good colourful work.
What sacrilege!
Then... I remember my delight as she took an empty ballpoint pen and scratched on the slick black surface... to reveal... lines of rainbow!
Ahhh. A magic moment I then committed to recreating as often as possible.
Still to this day, I love the aesthetic contrast of all the rainbow colours next to a complete absence of colour.
It's the same reason I prefer multicoloured lights on a Christmas tree. Why have one when you can have the lot?
Anyway, this week I made time to do a slightly more grown up version of my childhood obsession of scratch art.
If you're not familiar with this wondrous art form, it's simply a matter of covering a sheet of paper with lots of colours - using crayons or oil pastels.
Then, covering over all your work with black - either oil pastel or paint works too.
Finally, you draw/scratch onto the black surface to reveal lines of your colours underneath.
The result is... quite lovely.
One mistake I made was getting a bit too enthusiastic with the black paint. When I was a kid, we just used a very heavy duty black oil pastel, but since I had a lot of ground to cover, I opted for black acrylic paint.
I just laid it on way too thick so the initial marks I made kind of just moved paint around.
That said, the simple action of moving the paint around and revealing the rainbow underneath was really quite magical.
Fun rating? 6/10A little lower because lets face it: the element of challenge wasn't exactly there, but I did enjoy the lighthearted, tactile experience.
If I have anything significant to say to you this week it's: what activity did you enjoy as a child? One that created that sense of wonder we lose in our teens?
Is this something you could recreate today, just for old times sake?
Next week's fun activity is...
The orchestra!
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Jessica Serran, Visual Artist and the leader of the Becoming Artist Movement.
Born in Ontario, Canada, Jessica holds an MA in Transformative Art from JFK University and a BFA in Illustration from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, MI. When not in her studio, she helps visual artists discover their Creative Calling and become leaders of an International Creative Movement through the power of community.
What we discussed:Connect with Jessica:
You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a panda pounding bamboo (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
In theory, we improvise every day or at least the days when we talk to people. We listen, sometimes better than others, and respond accordingly.
So why on earth is improv - or improvisation theatre - so bloody terrifying?
I know people like to throw around statistical nuggets like ‘fear of death is second only to public speaking’ to highlight how common this fear is and how extreme a fear it is.
And I consider myself to be a fairly rational person - sometimes to a fault - but standing in front of more than 2-3 people and speaking at them, not in a dialogue, is… bloody terrifying, despite the fact that I know I’m perfectly safe.
It helps to understand the evolutionary explanation. This is the theory that if we were standing in front of our tribe back in the day, that we weren’t doing it for theatrical entertainment.
We were likely defending ourselves from being attacked because we probably did something wrong, like stole more than our share of woolly mammoth meat - and our tribes people were ready to kick us out - or worse.
So… there’s a possibility that the oldest part of our brain, the amygdala, is still triggered when we get on stage in front of an audience.
Rational or not, it doesn’t really help my fear.
I first started overcoming this fear back in 2016, I began attending Toastmasters, which is a very popular non-profit organisation that sets up clubs worldwide to help its members improve their communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.
And this definitely helped me break the ice. Literally, I did my Icebreaker speech, and I think one other, before deciding it was not for me, for various reasons mostly because of the authoritative vibe and the bureaucratic elements - but it definitely set me on this path to more and more public speaking, fear facing and getting my message out in person.
I won’t pretend I’ve overcome my fear of public speaking in two years - far from it - but it’s definitely lessened.
My one saving grace has been the preparation I can do before hand. I know I can craft my words in advance, often refer to cue cards or use a slideshow as a memory trigger - and an audience distraction - and above all I do my best to prepare myself to soothe my fear.
But then there’s Improv. The whole concept is removing the barriers we put up through our distracting slides, props and memorised speeches.
This was a whole new level of fear: and for whatever reason, it became my dragon to slay.
And trust me: I’ve delayed this for months and months now.
But then, speaking to a friend, and knowing I couldn’t choose another ‘easy’ activity from the jar of fun, I figured: let’s just bloody do it.
And we did.
Again, I used my ninja skill of accountability to get me to go: naturally if my friend bailed, I would certainly have bailed. Thank you Rachel for not bailing!
The next barrier of entry for me would have been distance: I’ve learned travelling somewhere too out of the way is going to reduce my likelihood of showing up. The one I went to was close, it’s in Hove and it’s called Iron Duke Improv for those in the area who might want to check it out.
It also had the added benefit of being in the back of a pub: which meant I could get some Dutch courage in before we began.
So… the big reveal… how was it?
Firstly, the people, as we learned from the Charleston mishap, make all the difference. These folk were lovely: warm, welcoming, encouraging - and bloody funny too.
So that helped.
The next best bit was how optional everything felt. Most of the exercises we did were voluntary, though not all - that said I strongly believe if I had been picked for an exercises I just didn’t want to do, I could probably have said ‘not meeee!’ and they would have been cool with it.
There were a few sweat inducing moments, as well as moments of pure genius: at least, I thought my shark attack was funny…
And even though there isn’t a massive emphasis on being funny - this seemed to be more improv theatre not improv comedy - I’m not sure if theres’ a real difference but it wasn’t like laughter was the goal - regardless, I found it super funny and spent a lot of the time giggling, which is always good.
Fun rating? 8/10Yeah - that’s a high one.
I think there’s the added satisfaction - and OH how satisfying it is - to know I’ve done something that was so high on my fear list, and of course, like all of our biggest fears: is never as bad as we imagine.
In the words of Seneca, great Stoic philosopher: “We suffer more often in imagination than in reality”
Oh and another win: I finished my crochet bunny from last week!
Fun rating: 6/10
Next week's fun activity is...
Scratch art.
This is something I LOVED to do as a kid. Will reveal all next week!
Let me tell you a story...
One year ago today I was at a place very close to rock bottom.
l'm not a full-time anything: my wall consists of multiple hats I don and I enjoy the variety. But last year a few of these hats were gone.
To clarify, when I took myself out of the London scene, I left clients and contacts there. In moving to the seaside, I sacrificed higher paying clients and sheer number of opportunities.
Sure, I could commute... but that wasn't part of the plan. The plan was to rely more on my income coming from The Creative Introvert - the LCI, online courses and coaching and less on freelance design or consulting.
But in making that shift, I learned I wasn't quite ready. l still needed the contract work and my old tactics of relying on word of mouth weren't going to fly: if all my old clients were 50 miles away from my new ones.
So... I started pitching. This was something I historically dreaded, and assumed I was terrible at. For one, it I'm doing a repetitive task like writing a lot of emails, at some point, I make some terrible mistakes. Design experience aside, I'm not one for attention to detail.
And yes, I was rusty at first-it had been a while-but before long I started seeing some real results.
I think this was partly due to my increased experience : I knew a bit more about targeting a niche audience, but I also learned I had some innate skills that I believe all introverts have that can give us a real edge when it comes to pitching to get clients or work.
But, in order to hone those skills and use email as a secret weapon: you first need to know what they are... hence what I'm doing in this podcast.
Today, we're going to talk about the skills, strengths and tactics introverts can excel at... and use to their advantage in their career.
Links mentioned:SHOWNOTES: http://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/the-year-of-fun-6-crochet-bunny/ Agghhh! My first fun fail. Ok: not a 100% fail, but an… incomplete challenge. Last week’s fun assignment was… to crochet a bunny. I was so relieved! Finally something that cost me next to nothing, didn’t require booking anything or even leaving the house. And at first, all went swimmingly. I found a Youtube tutorial - that was all in French (I didn’t understand a word of it, but it happened to be the best I found) and got going. It was quite lovely. Until… I ran out of yarn. And… All week I didn’t get round to buying more. D’oh! Lesson learnt: buy the yarn before taking the crochet challenge. But like I said: this isn’t a total fail. I have every intention to finish up this poor bunny this week, and will keep you posted on my progress. My niece will receive her crocheted bunny rabbit! My work-in-progress fun rating: 7/10 What’s interesting to me is how it proved just how much I benefit from external accountability. I know I need internal motivation to inspire me: to get me started. Internal motivation is what excites me, pulls on my purpose triggers and without it: I wouldn’t consider doing something. You might be the same, especially if you’re an introvert. You know how it feels to have a flash of inspiration, to go somewhere or do something, and it doesn’t seem to come from anywhere in particular. No one told you to do it; you didn’t read about it in a book, at least not that you can remember: it just… floats into your consciousness. Anyway, that’s where the majority of my ideas come from: and certainly the ones that seem to work out the best for me. But to follow though on these flashes of inspiration, I won’t deny that some external motivation is a massive help at moving me to take action and finish. Recently, going to classes at a local gym has been surprisingly easy and enjoyable; much more so than my attempts to drag my behind to do a solo workout. Even if I do make it to the gym to work out alone, I’m quick to let myself off the hook or create - very imaginative - excuses as to why I can’t find the time. Magically, when I’ve booked into a class and - more importantly - I know my friend will be there - I don’t even question not showing up. This is why I think Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies are fascinating: because they explain behaviour like this. They explain why some of us are more likely to do something when others hold us accountable, and others are more likely to do something when they know why. But it can also get confusing. For example, my conclusion is that I’m a Questioner but you might think I'm an Obliger. My theory is that what appears to be Obliger behaviour (going to the gym being easier when I have an expectant friend and a class booked) is actually the result of my Questioner logic. I know this because I don’t respond well to being asked to do things or suggested to do things when I can’t see the point or the rationale behind it. My Questioner mind gets the last say, basically. But whatever, I’m rambling now. If you’re interested in learning more about the tendencies, I’ll link to the quiz and a previous podcast I did on the Four Tendencies in the shownotes. Now - onto next week’s fun! Ok this one is not coming from the Jar of Fun because… I’ve already agreed to it. It is in the jar, but I got extra keen after a chat with a friend, who has agreed to accompany me in this weeks fun assignment. Which is… drum roll… Improv comedy. Now let me get one thing clear: Improvising ANYTHING is my idea of embarrassment hell. Anxiety saturation: 110%. I don’t know what’s going to happen, I might just have a breakdown and walk out like the Charleston class… who knows. But I guess you’ll find out next week. As always, let me know if you have any questions, comments suggestions… I really appreciate all your ratings and reviews on iTunes, and would be ever so grateful if you are enjoying this show to go ahead and leave your own star rating - or review - on iTunes. Or if you can’t be arsed with that, tell someone about the Creative Introvert podcast who you think might get a kick out of my musings. Thanks again for listening and I’ll catch you next week!
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Douglas Eby; writer, researcher and online publisher who focuses on psychology and personal growth especially in relation to creativity.
We talk about being a multitalented creative, Douglas shares his advice for procrastination and creative block, and we talk about the traits of high sensitivity and what it means to be an empath.
What we discussed:I’ll admit I am a bit of a stereotype in certain ways when it comes to the typical laptop lifestyle entrepreneur/freelancer creative type. In that… I am all about COFFEE!
I start my day with coffee, and if I don’t, then I turn into feral Cat: which you would not want to be around. I then have another cup at a cafe for a change of scene or to meet a friend, and that’s usually me for the day.
And when I watch those baristas perform their dark art, I can’t help but be captivated by the mystery of it all. I’m always blown away by the difference in a perfect coffee shop cappuccino versus my home-made run of the mill supermarket Americano.
Granted, I’m not a total coffee luddite. I do buy fancy fresh coffee, I sometimes grind the beans myself, and I use an Aeropress which delivers a damn good - and speedy - cuppa.
But my fascination has remained. Learning how to wield a professional espresso maker, steam milk jussst right and may be even one day create some latte art all on my own… has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
Finally. This Year of Fun has given me the excuse to splurge on a barista skills training workshop, and finally the time came, last weekend.
Now if you’re not familiar with my neck of the woods, the seaside town of Brighton here in the south of the UK, I should tell you that coffee is kind of a big deal here. There are some world class roasters and a ludicrous number of places to get your caffeine fix. Many of them offer barista training too.
I went for a 3 hour workshop at Wheat and Beans, a lovely, family run Argentinian style cafe in Kemptown, the funky end of town.
I had the luxury of being the only one on the workshop, which the introvert in me delighted in, and the shy kid in me was very relieved to find my teacher and pro barista Fabricio to be super friendly and welcoming.
We started with a bit of theory, and I naturally went into geek mode. I did that thing where I asked questions to sound intelligent and tried to make it clear that I was a real coffee connoisseur - saying things like Yirgacheffe and crema and extraction time.
Ugh. I feel bad for Fabricio having to sit through that.
Anyway, I settled down soon enough and we made our way to the practical side: uh oh. Now I’m staring at this shiny, complex monster of a coffee machine with buttons and levers and hot parts you really shouldn’t touch.
Fortunately, Fabricio was a great teacher and I got the theory down pretty quick. Oh but I learned how much skill and practise goes into getting the perfect foam of my beloved cappuccino or the delicate balance of foam and texture of a latte and don’t even get me started on a flat white.
Jeez.
I have come away with a whole new level of appreciation for what my baristas are doing behind the scenes, at least in the independent coffee shops.
So, am I now a pro barista?
Hah! Heck no. I barely got away with a passable cuppa. But… I reckon with a bit of practise, I could certainly get my chops up and I don’t know, if the Creative Introvert goes south may be I could become a barista in some hip cafe… Er, I’d probably have to get a lot cooler for that, may be some tattoos and a nose piercing…
Anyway, I walked away happy, caffeinated to the gills, and with a certificate which proves my participation. Yay.
My fun rating for barista training: 8.5/10
Really good. Think that’s the highest so far.
Anyway, if you’re interested in indulging your coffee geekery, I do recommend Wheat and Beans of Brighton.
Recently back an episode #44 we talked about the importance of accountability - as in, having someone to keep you in check, offering their support and encouragement when you have something you want to do - but are struggling to do it.
Now, I'd like to add one more piece to the puzzle, and that is... collaboration.
Much like accountability, this was something I assumed I didn't need or want. For one, I'm an introvert!
I do things by myself, I work best alone and other people - god love 'em - drain me.
But. when I reflected on the past year I realised that the #1 thing which had brought me the most success had been... Yes, collaboration.
Which naturally took me by surprise.
l hated when we had to work in groups at school, I was not a team sports fan. I also remember once at uni when we had to work on a project in pairs. The dude I was paired up with was a total slacker. And because I resented carrying all the weight, I slacked too.
In fact, I was pulled aside by our head of department who was concerned about my sh*tty performance.
It wasn't until we got to do the solo part of the project that I turned things around and excelled because I was in my element again: working solo.
But there is something to be said for collaboration: in fact, I attribute 99% of my success in 2017 to this very thing. Hopefully, by the end of this episode you'll be willing to give it a try too.
Links mentioned:This past weekend's fun was actually pre-planned, it did not come from the almighty Jar of Fun...
It was a trip to Oviedo, a city in Northwest Spain.
You might wonder, why not Madrid or Barcelona? A more stereotypical choice for the weekend escapist Brit?
Well, here's a fun fact for you: I love obscure places.
I love that tourists are a novelty there.
I love that you're forced to speak the local tongue.
I love that the flights & Airbnb are dirt cheap.
So, my thoughts on Oviedo?
First thing I noticed was how super-duper clean it was... almost German in it's tidiness.
It was also the friendliest city I've been to, and not just in Spain... possibly anywhere ever.
Japan comes a close second, but the formality tended to put me on edge. Here, these Spaniards treated me like a curious cousin; not a local but not a scumbag tourist without a word of Spanish (which I was.)
The Airbnb was pleasant enough - and I even got the local delicacy each morning for breakfast.
Cake!
Apparently cake for breakfast is a quite typical Spanish custom. Which also happens to rank VERY highly on my idea of FUN.
And when you think about it, eating sugar and refined carbs for breakfast is still what the majority of the UK does - just in the form of toast and jam or cereal, rather than delicious homemade cinnamon cake...
I was also conveniently located next to the best coffee shop in town, (Noor coffee, if you're ever in the neighbourhood) where I found the only fluent English speaker in town too.
Oh and I love love LOVE how everyone serves a snack with your drink: from mini-croissants to churros to a tuna empanada. All that for €1.50... crazy when I come back to Brighton and pay £3.50 for a coffee that comes with no side snack.
Oh and this area of Spain is also very famous for its cider.
I'm not usually a big solo boozer, but I had to go to a local Sideria just to do as locals do.
I found a particularly bustling one where I plonked myself next to an older couple. I ordered my cider, and was fairly surprised to say the least, that it came in a bottle the size of a wine-bottle, and at 6% I knew this wasn't your typical Magners we get over here.
Then the fun began. There is, apparently, a very particular way this cider is served. I can't demonstrate it without gesturing, so I'll point to a visual demonstration:
The other fun part was the custom for consuming the drink. Ideally, you down it. Yep, each time your waiter/personal barman serves you from your giant bottle, you down what he gives you - all in one.
At least that's what I think the couple next to me were trying to tell me. Otherwise, I just looked like another Brit trying to get as pissed as possible, in the name of tradition.
Needless to say I didn't get much done after that.
Other fun activities were sightseeing. I'll admit there wasn't that much in terms of breathtaking sights - Gaudi didn't make it to Asturias I guess - but there were some great little statues dotted around, including one of Woody Allen, because Oviedo is said to be his favourite Spanish city.
A post shared by Cat Rose (@creativeintro) on Jan 27, 2018 at 8:25am PST
I did a fair bit of walking: I hiked up a mountain, which again is very much my idea of fun.
I also went on a long bus ride to see a basilica & chapel that's been built into a mountain. I do like a good religious monument, so that pleased me.
Weirdly, I discovered how much I like bus journeys. Like on trains, I do my best thinking on these forms of transport. It doesn't work so well for airplanes: I just get a bit sleepy on them.
Something else that might surprise you, but is becoming a bit of a pattern for me, is: I got lonely on day 3.
One thing I've learned from years of solo travel adventures, is that as introvert as I am... on the third day of speaking to no one except my journal, and ordering some food and coffee, I get really quite lonely.
Plus, I went to another city a half hour away on day 3: Gijon (pronounced 'hee-hon'... seriously).
Gijon, I'm sorry if any locals ever listen, was just a bit disappointing.
It was nice to see the sea, a particularly blue looking sea, and I did have some bloody good churros, but other than that it lacked the spirit and charm of Oviedo.
Anyway, I left the next morning and returned to my own seaside town.
A final thing I noticed was how my routine falls away on holiday - at least in terms of yoga & meditation.
But I did manage to keep up my coffee sipping along side drawing a mandala and listening to uplifting Youtube videos. It's a very portable part of my routine, and one I find instantly gratifying.
Now I know when I consistently miss other parts of my routine, it doesn't take long before I start feeling like crap. Really: I've done the off and on experimentation enough to know what I have to do to maintain happy cat.
But I know I can skip a few days here and there, without falling off the wagon entirely.
I'd be interested to know what your take is on routine: whether abroad or in day-to-day life. What habits stick like glue? Which are nice to have but could be left at home with your to-do list?
Back to Spain. Would I recommend a trip to Oviedo?
Yes. Don't expect a lot of action, but get stuck in with the delicious - if somewhat deadly - cider & lovely locals.
Fun rating = 7Next week: barista training (I hope - if it's not cancelled again!) if not, I'll tell you about a recent experience with Zumba...
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Pete Mosley, author of one of my favourite books: the Art of Shouting Quietly who helps people in running a business creatively, how to find and build relationships with customers and how to tell a great story about your work.
We talk about the intersection of creativity and introversion, whether we should just fake it till we make it if we want creative success, the advantages of being an introvert and how to avoid burnout.
What we discussed:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a panda pounding bamboo (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
You may recall last week I declared I booked my barista training.
But, as I sat on the bus, 10 minutes away, I randomly checked my emails and - oh - the guy who was training me, cancelled.
I'm not sure if it was a hangover (this is 9 am on a Sunday) or if he genuinely was sick, but I sadly accepted my fate: a long Sunday with nothing scheduled.
And because I have you to report to, keeping me accountable for my 'year of fun' I had to come up with a plan.
The problem was, it was pissing down with rain, and the idea of traipsing anywhere outside my cosy little home... did not appeal.
l learned a new word that perfectly describes this weather: Gluggavedur - this is an Icelandic term to describe weather that is best enjoyed from being inside: i.e. where it’s warm and dry.
The only thing that was definitely on the cards was a reluctant food shop. What could I buy there which could be a source of fun? Other than Krispy Kreme donuts?
It came to me: a magazine!
This is an odd indulgence I've considered fun since I used to subscribe to both a Dinosaur mag and one that Nickelodeon produced. Both of these rocked my world age 7.
Now my idea of a magazine worth buying generally revolves around home decor or crafts.
The selection wasn't great, but I spotted one that was new to me, called In the Moment. The extortionately priced pad of printed paper was added to my shopping basket and I went home to spend the rest of the day indoors, moving between my bed and my desk.
Safe to say I did not hit my step count.
Now, this could be the dullest episode in the entire series of my Year of Fun but: I do have a few insights to share with you:
1) I have some serious guilt around doing things for pure pleasure when I could be working or learning or challenging myself in some way.
I very rarely have a full day with no plans, and rather than basking in that freedom, it kind of panicked me.
When I ultimately settled down with my tea & magazine, I definitely started to enjoy myself, but there was still a nagging feeling that someone might jump out from my wardrobe and yell "Get back to work, yooou slacker!"
I know. Crazy right?
Ironically (I think it was ironic, I'm never sure how to use that word even though Alanis Morisette has given us so many contextual examples...)
Ironically, there was an article in the mag about how hard it is for many of us to take real time off even at weekends.
2) It also made me think about last week and how challenge, when it's too extreme, can really such the fun out of an activity for me. On the other hand, when it's too low, I'm left feeling a bit... empty.
It's not that I didn't enjoy my lazy Sunday - it was delicious - but at the end of the day, I didn't have that feeling of satisfaction: the afterglow of doing something that mattered.
It's basically confirmed for me Martin Seligman's theory on 'Authentic Happiness', or his updated terminology 'Well-being'
For Seligman, the formula for this ultimate state of being is:
Positive Emotion - pleasure Engagement - flow state Relationships - people Meaning - higher purpose, being part of something bigger than yourself Accomplishment - winning in some way, achieving a goal
The magazine and tea fuelled Sunday I had hit 2 out of 5 of these - I experienced positive emotion and a small amount of engagement or flow.
So maybe I'll be taking into account these 5 factors more into my fun activities: may be I'll devise my own... who knows!
My fun rating: 4/10 - high pleasure, but low on the satisfaction afterglow.
Next weeks fun is not coming from the Jar of Fun I'm afraid because I already have something quite fun - I hope - planned. I'm packing my bag and heading to Northern Spain for the weekend.
Specifically, a region called Asturias. It's a bit of a hidden gem at least to ignorant tourists like me, and famous for it's cider. Yum.
So I'm guessing I'll find some fun there, and report back to you next week!
And if you happen to be from Spain or as unlikely as it is, Asturias, let me know if you have any tips or suggestions for me to try out on my travels!
If you tuned in to the Creative Introvert podcast last week, you’ll have heard me give my top tips and tools for goal accomplishment, with a focus on the inner work: the stuff that bubbles up in our minds, our hearts our bellies.
But there is one more piece to the puzzle, and this is the one that doesn’t come from inside. It comes from outside - the big, scary, extroverted, external world.
But don’t worry - this isn’t going to become the Creative Extrovert anytime soon, I just want to give you the piece to the puzzle that made all the difference to me, when I finally let it in, and gave it a go.
That is… accountability.
Firstly lets get some terminology right… What IS accountability?
Accountability is a term I used to cringe at. For some reason it stunk of the cheesiest end of self-help, as well as co-dependency and ultimately I took a lot of pride in doing everything all by myself.
Now, a bit of googling will tell you accountability means ‘the condition of being completely responsible for what you do.”
Ooh. Completely responsible? Not sure I like the sound of that either. Sounds like a whole lot of pressure that I am not keen to take on. At least, that’s what the free-spirited rebel in me says.
But… what if we were to look at it from another angle?
What about all the stuff we wish we could do, we know we should do but just aren’t doing?
And it’s not for want of desire or even motivation - we simply aren’t taking responsibility.
Of course, reasons that we aren’t acting on the stuff we want to make happen are varied.
We can dive into them deeper another day, but for now, some that come to mind are:
I will note that those are typically introverted excuses: we tend to blame ourselves (or the subject) more than we blame the world around us (or the object.)
In this episode, I'm going to take you through the OUTER solution to goal gettin' and hopefully help you find an introvert-friendly approach to accountability.
Links mentioned:First of all, let's address the elephant in this blog post: I did not do my planned fun this week (as dictated by Jar of Fun), which was barista skills training.
The first available spot is next weekend – but I can confirm that I'm booked on so coffee-making-101 is happening!
But I was left with the conundrum... What Fun could I partake in this weekend?
Scanning Eventbrite.com, I came across a dance workshop, in nearby city, Chichester.
Learn the Charleston in a day, effectively.The Charleston eh? My head swam with pictures of black 'n' white flappers with feathers and shiny jewellery and Charlie Chaplin was somewhere there too...
I'm not going to pretend I have a clue about dance history, or dance...at all.
I accidentally experienced a taste of the Lindyhop at a quirky Brighton conference last year, and I'll admit... I didn't hate it.
I made a pact with myself to explore dance some more, a task that could get me into my body and less stuck in my head.
Introverts, particularly the intuitive type (more about intuition vs sensing here) are prone to being a bit heady and disconnected from the real, physical world, including their bodies. And I'm definitely in that category.
Plus I love learning new things. It builds confidence like nothing else, plus I quite fancy myself at some great Gatsby themed party sipping cocktails and throwing some shapes on the dance floor...
So I booked on.The other bonus was checking Chichester cathedral off my list.
Underwhelming, but then I have recently been to Rome and have been a wee bit spoiled for cathedral eye candy.
So... the class.
Er - it didn't start well.I was nervous, duh, and I didn't feel welcomed as I entered a busy little studio, packed with ladies who - I fantasised - all knew each other, were pros at dancing, and just really hated 5'3" redheads.
I had a moment on the loo where I told myself - specifically my inner critic - to shut the fuck up and stop being a baby. But you know, kindly with self love etc.
I'll admit the teacher was lovely, sweet, funny, not intimidating at all and did make the steps very clear. Despite my two left feet, and rhythm of a drunken uncle at a wedding, I mostly got the hang of it.
That didn't stop it from being... not fun.
Not fun at all.
It took me back to P.E. classes at school. I didn't feel like a sassy flapper in a silent movie: I felt like an awkward introvert who would much rather be in one of the many cute tea rooms or coffee shops the city had to offer.
Balls.
The workshop was 3 hours but I left during the break, politely declaring my knee was giving me trouble. Which it was, a bit, but it was most probably psychosomatic because it conveniently eased up as soon as I stepped foot outside.
Fun rating: 2/10 because the were moments of mild enjoyment when I celebrated getting the steps right.
Ok so what have I learned?That public dance classes are not my jam.
I still like the idea of dancing, but hello...Youtube?
I can dance around my room and have actual fun, plus it's free.
I've mentioned that fun, often but not always involves a bit of challenge for me.
And I strongly believe in stretching our comfort zone regularly, like exercising. When you haven't exercised in a while, it becomes much more painful when you do it. So... I believe in a regular dose of mild discomfort.
A level 3 or 4.
This was a 7 on the discomfort Richter scale, which pushed it out of the fun category for me.
It makes me think of a saying from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and others. Her life motto is, 'Be Gretchen'.
If in doubt, be yo'self.Today I learnt something about myself: this Cat does not like dance classes.
Ok so the timing for this episode is all kinds of perfect.
If you’re listening on the release date, you’ll likely be aware it is a brand new year, and you may very well have set yourself a new years resolution - or assuming they’re becoming a little unfashionable, may be you’ve picked a year goal or - er - a word to set your intention for the new year. Whatever floats your boat.
May be you’re on the more skeptical side of the fence and refuse to set any goals or resolutions because the new year is arbitrary to you. I don’t blame you.
But still… there’s likely something you want, something you want to feel or be or do or have.
Now there are a million and one reasons why we fail at getting what we want or doing what we want - but there are far fewer solutions to this challenge.
Some of my favourite planning tools: Other links mentioned:The Year of Fun… week one is down!
So did I stick to my fun guns??
Well, yes… but let’s never call them ‘fun guns’ again.
As you may remember, the first fun activity I picked from my jar of fun was ‘go to a Nomunication.’
Now, a ‘nomunication’ is basically an event that a local Japanese learning meetup group holds. The problem was… there was no nomunication this week!
It normally involves drinking and talking, both in Japanese and English. My insecurities in my own noob status at Japanese has meant I’ve never attended one.
Now I should have been less specific, because this particular event wasn’t on last week. Instead, I had the option to go to a Mochi-making event held by the same group.
And I went!
Honestly I was not massively looking forward to it when the day came. I felt my standard fears around being in a big group of strangers - plus the possibility of having to speak Japanese which scared the crap out of me too.
But I had to go: the Year of Fun would have been a bit of a flop if I couldn’t even make my first week’s event.
It was… really nice. I felt comfortable in the group: this is undoubtedly a friendly bunch and I’m looking forward to dipping my toe in more of their meetups.
I did my classic introvert thing: spent most of my time speaking to just one person, but she was lovely and we had a lot in common.
And of course: the mochi!
Mochi is something I love anyway, but I have never made it before: and now I know it’s not that complicated, I have bought myself some mochi making flour my very own mochi rice cake things.
A fun part was shring tips on how to eat the mochi, and as someone who loves food and especially loves weird combinations of food, I very much appreciated one attendees tips for making a mochi cheese melt in the microwave - it was amazing.
So, out of 10, I’d give this a 7: it wasn’t super duper fun but it was pleasant, a nice thing to do on a Sunday afternoon and it is likely to lead to a lot more fun: at least in terms of making mochi on a regular basis.
Now: to reveal next week’s fun!
BARISTA SKILLS TRAINING!
Yikes! I'm not sure I can make this one happen by next week, but I can certainly investigate it.
There are a few different coffee shops in Brighton that offer barista skills training, so I can enquire to see if they'll have this creative introvert messing around with their beans...
Either way, I'll have some fun to report back this time next week!
Have you ever tried mochi? Have you made mochi? Any good recipes to share
Morra is the author of Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert’s Roadmap to Getting Out There (When You’d Rather Stay Home) which really spoke to me because of my own experience in an office job – I wonder if you can relate...
We talk about Morra’s career and her experiences of hiding in the bathroom, much like myself, before she hit rock bottom and made a major life change, we talk about being a stealth introvert, introvert ambition and managing social anxiety.
What we discussed:What is this year of fun?
As someone who is obsessed with goal seting, actionable plans and productivity... this year i have decided to do things a bit differently.
To try to balance out my type a, INTJ personality, I figured I could choose fun as my one overall theme for 2018.
I'll admit: this is not a totally original idea.
See the Year of Fun - Sarah did one fun thing every day for a year and blogged the process.
I’m not planning one fun thing every day but I am aiming for one fun activity a week, most of which I've never done before.
l like an experiment: organised fun may be a paradox for some but for me it's the only way to get me onboard.
Actually, the planning of the fun has been... fun. Even before the year officially started.
What is this 'fun'?A bunch of activities I imagine will be fun: they feel light, playful, adventurous - not without a sense of risk or challenge.
We all have different interpretations of fun, and part of this is to further understand my own idea of fun. Much of these are things I think will be fun (some more so than others) but I'm prepared to be surprised.
Challenge is also an element: I know pushing my comfort The gives me a great deal of lasting satisfaction: very different from the short-lived pleasure we (I) often find myself addicted to : chasing comfort and avoiding pain. This, I've found, as many a spiritual seeker before me, have only ever ended in a dog-chasing-it's-tail-like scenario.
My hypothesis is that these tasks will change me in some way. At the very least they'll shake my weekends up and give me some stories to tell.
How it works:I pick a new predetermined fun activity from my overflowing jar of FUN. Activities are colour-coordinated depending on effort required. Some need people to get involved, or advance booking. Some will definitely not be fun in winter months in the UK, others require a trip to the shops for supplies.
But picking one week ahead should give me enough time to plan.
Note: most activities will happen at weekends unless I'm busy with less fun activities, in which case I'll make an effort to do that task during the week.
I'll also be documenting this process as much as possible, both on the podcast and on my Youtube channel - so feel free to follow along there: I'm aiming to publish once a week about the most recent fun thing I've done and my thoughts on the challenge so far, which may include fun ratings for each activity.
The grand finale of the Self-Knowledge mini-series!
To end, I’m asking you the deceptively simple question: what do you want?
It’s easy to go through life without really answering this question.
Of course, we can answer specifics: like what do you want to order from a restaurant. Or you can be tempted to answer through the structure western society has imposed on us, claiming to want to go to university and settle down with 2.4 kids and get a mortgage and OH MY GOD KILL ME NOW.
I’m a big proponent of asking this question on a regular basis and spending a significant time ruminating on it.
I do this because I don’t want to be fooled into thinking society knows what I want, or into thinking I don’t have a choice in the matter.
When we know what we want - what we really, really want, as the Spice Girls say - we can aim true and have - obviously - a way better chance in getting what we want and living a meaningful life.
OK. So…
How do you tackle a question like What do I want?
Full shownotes and FREE download here >>
Again, we're looking to Carl G. Jung for the answers on today's 9th + penultimate episode in the Self-Knowledge mini series. This is, naturally, going to be more of a woo-woo episode, partly because this area of psychology, in fact the entire branch of Jungian or analytic psychotherapy is grounded in theory, not hard science. That said, there's an undeniable resonance this stuff has with us humans - or at least a substantial number of us - that gives a serious weight to these themes. It's as if there's some very old, very ingrained, cellular truth - like a truth you can feel in your bones, rather than measure with a ruler. Like it or lump it: today we're dealing with the Yin & Yang of our nature: our Shadow self vs our Persona. Full shownotes here >>
The concept that we all, by our nature, approach tasks and accomplishing things differently actually came as a bit of a surprise to me.
l figured the kids I went to school with who left their homework till the last minute or often arrived late to class, were just... naughty. Like, they must hate school even more than I did and might even enjoy detention in some weird masochistic way.
It wasn't until I became good friends with one of them that actually loved school, got good grades and even though she left everything till the last minute, the teachers generally loved her.
Now, I understand that my friend is a Perceiving type. I on the other hand am a Judging type.
If you're familiar with Myers Briggs, you've calmed on to what all this means, but for everyone else: then two functions Perceiving and Judging are about how we approach life: either in an open, flexible way (P) or in a structured, orderly way (J) - which is what this episode of the Self Knowledge mini-series is going to dive into.
I should point out that whether you’re an introvert or not, the way you are affected by your environment still varies a lot between person to person.
And you might remember the episode in this series in which I described High Sensitivity - if you’re a HSP, you’ll likely be more affected by lights and sounds than the average bear, like myself.
Regardless of how sensitive you are to your environment, there is still going to be an optimum environment you thrive in.
This episode in the Self-Knowledge mini series is going to dig into different aspects of our environment you can start taking into account, and other little lifestyle hacks you might want to experiment with to up you creative game whether you work in an office or from home or from a coffee shop.
Let’s start with Carl Jung, grandaddy of Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology. He’s responsible for much of this series, because of his theories on psychological types.
He introduced three areas or preferences, each of which are dichotomies: as in there are two ends of a pole, and your preference lies somewhere along that pole.
Introversion or extraversion are one area, sensing or intuition is another, and thinking or feeling is the third - and the one I’m going to dive into today.
The concept of doing what you love and following your passion has gotten a bit of a bad rap in recent years, and I guess before I launch into this episode I should probably address that side of the fence first.
Cal Newport would be the first person I think of touting the idea that doing what you love is in fact, overrated. In his book, So Good They Can't Ignore You, he suggests the problem is that we don’t have much evidence that this is how passion works.
“Follow your passion” assumes: a) you have preexisting passion, and b) if you match this passion to your job, then you’ll enjoy that job.
What I'd like to do in this episode of the Self Knowledge mini-series, is help you get closer to finding your passion, whether it’s making more time for one you already have or finding a new one altogether and cultivating that.
Download your free accompanying workbook here >>
Not exactly a topic I've talked much about or even mentioned in the Creative Introvert podcast so far. May be something to do with my INTJ android-like personality, but really I have no excuse.
We know that even the hardiest Thinking types need a little tender lovin' care - whether it's from a partner, or in the simple friendship of an old pal. Or y'know, from your pet gecko.
Whatever your source of love is, isn't the topic of today's show. what I want to talk about is the way we prefer to receive and to give love: also known as our love language.
This is a concept coined by Gary Chapman, author of the book The 5 Love Languages amongst others: your love language can be identified by asking yourself: what makes you feel loved? What do you desire above all else from others?
Or on the flip side, what hurts you, or makes you feel unloved?
It can also be seen in how we express our love and appreciation to others.
The importance of understanding our own lore language as well as that of those around us is really really important, may be the most important in this Self-Knowledge series.
After all, if you can't communicate your love and appreciation to someone else or receive it from them because you're speaking two different languages, it's going to have a pretty detrimental effect on the relationship.
Already I know this is going to me one of my favourite episodes in this self-knowledge series.
The way we experiences the world is… kind of everything. From the moment we’re pushed or pulled out of our mum’s baby-maker, we’re dealing with sensory information and how we respond to that is amazingly individual.
Even from those early years, we start exhibiting clear signs that some of us are experiencing the world in very different ways. This depends on both how we’re wired neurologically and biochemically, as well as what particular environment we’re being raised in.
More on determining factors later, but for now I want to talk about the different categories psychologists and smart people in lab coats have given us to describe how we might experience the world around us.
In every case, I’m willing to bet there is a sliding scale, just like introversion and extroversion, someone can be at the very end of the scale, or somewhere closer to the middle.
Links mentioned:I remember clearly being in school and being taught about learning styles. The teacher went through the model taught to her, which boiled down to auditory, visual or kinaesthetic.
It made sense to me that I must be a Visual learner, given that I was the designated class cartoonist, at least when there was a Rugrats character to draw.
Later, I learned that this was just one of many (supposedly there are around 70) models to describe our preferred learning style.
It's also possible - in fact very likely- you have a mixture of styles. Some may be best used in certain circumstances. For example, learning how to put an Ikea wardrobe together requires different processing than learning a language.
Plus, you can develop or change your preferences over time: in fact 1 did this through listening to podcasts. Now, I process audio - with or without accompanying images - way better than I did at school.
I still think it's useful to explore learning styles, and not just the ones you think you have a preference over. It's useful not just to help you learn stuff more effectively, but to communicate better with others,
When you know what style someone else prefers, you can accommodate them. It's something I try to take into account in my online courses, as well as when I'm coaching someone or consulting with a client.
If I pickup that they're a visual/spatial learner, I scribble down images to represent my ideas, or use visual analogies to give from to my sometimes vague and floaty concepts.
Or if they're kinaesthetic I try to slow my speech a bit. This is another weird factoid: apparently kinaesthetic types speak slower.
There are 7 styles that I like to take into account now, which gives a slightly more detailed range of preferences than I was taught at school.
I dig deeper into these learning styles in today's episode, and what knowing your learning style might mean for you.
The point of this mini-series is, quite simply to help you discover more about... you.
Self-knowledge is arguably the most critical catalyst in personal development : how you manage your energy, how you interact with others, where your strengths lie... Not to mention a key player in business success.
When you know yourself, you can make decisions more effectively, have greater clarity on where you want to go, what you want to be doing, and how you do it best: when you're at your most creative.
Ok, so if you're not sold just yet, what if I told you I could make this self knowledge super simple: breaking every aspect of the journey down into easy to digest podcast episodes?
Well, hopefully that's enough to convince you: it's happening anyway.
I'm pushing pause on interviews for a wee bit while I run this Self Knowledge for Creative Introverts mini-series and over the next 10 weeks I'll be guiding you through the ultimate self-knowledge series.
We'll tackle:
Find the workbook mentioned here: http://wp.me/p5bc9S-29k
A short one today to mark the grand re-opening of the League of Creative Introverts, my online community for like-minded creatives who are ready to get their work out into the world... but on their terms - no extroverting required!
I tackle the common questions I get about the League of Creative Introverts including...
Isn’t it a bit of a paradox? A community of introverts? Isn’t that like starting a beach for vampires?
The League will be open for one week, so you have until HALLOWEEN - er, October 31st 2017 at midnight GMT - to get yourself a spot.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Jamie Arpin-Ricci, speaker and community enthusiast and author of The Introvert Writer.
What we discussed:If you’ve been listening to this podcast a while, you might have heard a bit about my story - how I left my day job as a professional pixel pusher - I mean, web designer - to pursue my childhood dreams of becoming an illustrator and above all - be able to work from HOME.
At the time, I thought it was just the youngest child, red headed rebel in me that provoked my decision to leave my stable 9-5 job in exchange for the free range, freelance life.
But for this episode in particular I want to highlight the challenges we face when attempting to build a business or pursue a new career or go rogue like I did and work for youself.
This entrepreneurial trend is only growing, and whilst we’re encouraged as introverts to pursue these lofty dreams, I want to be clear that there are some very real challenges that can and will crop up - at least they have in my experience - and more importantly - give you some tools and strategies to actually deal with them.
Hopefully it will be of more use than another article on Forbes about introverts are naturals at networking - probably written by an extrovert.
Links mentioned:7 tips for networking (written by an introvert, for introverts)
Should I go to this networking event?
Networking.
A word almost as cringe-inducing as saying Volde-I mean, he who must not be named.
Regardless of whether you’re an introvert OR an extrovert - I actually don’t know if anyone admits to enjoying networking.
It’s kind of like exercise. We know it’s good for us but it doesn’t come without some pain - especially at first.
May be over time some of us develop a taste for it - but for the majority of us - we’d rather be at home networking with our cat than shaking hands and pasting on forced smiles with people who couldn’t care less what you do - but they ask anyway because it’s a way to talk about what THEY do.
Can you tell I’m not a big fan of networking?
Just over a year ago I found myself in a new city, away from any contacts or friends i had back in London who I could depend on throwing me a bit of work or helping me out in a time or crisis.
It dawned on me that I was going to have to make a bit more effort than I had been in networking - which prior to this had consisted of going to the occasion meetup with some illustrators and necking a couple of pints.
Looking back, I realise it wasn’t super effective networking anyway.
So first things first: I had to find some opportunities to meet new people.
What I’d like to do in this podcast episode is firstly help you if you know you need to start networking and secondly - to help you do it effectively. Oh and finally to be realistic. If you’re an introvert, like myself, I know that someone telling you to go and do all these mad manipulative tactics like mirroring or working the crowd - it just isn’t going to resonate.
If you’re anything like me, the likelihood of even going to the networking event you signed up for is about a 3/10 chance.
So - hopefully this is actually useful if you’re in a position like I was, knowing you need to network - but doing anything you can to avoid it and reason your way out of it.
In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Nicola Mills, opera singer for the people.
What we discussed:If you ‘google’ the words ‘self sabotage’ you will see there’s nearly two million results for this term.
Two million? If that’s anything to go by, I’d say self sabotage is a pretty common human behaviour - even if it doesn’t always make sense on paper.
When I first heard the term, I snorted: why would I want to sabotage MYSELF? I’m all I’ve got! I want me to win! At the very least, I want to keep myself safe.
Then I found out that it’s a lot more sneaky a behaviour than we might expect. In fact, it’s so sneaky it still amazes me that we can be capable of doing this to ourselves - usually, without even knowing it.
Self sabotage isn’t this overt, masochistic urge to touch a hot stove or throw ourselves in front of moving vehicles - it’s way more subtle than that.
It shows itself in behaviours like: procrastination over drinking over eating extreme guilt or modesty
It shows itself often when we’re trying to achieve something for our greater good or higher self - like losing excess weight, maintaining a healthy relationship, getting a promotion at work or starting a new business venture.
Let’s look at some self sabotaging behaviour patterns.
Take a work situation. You hate your job. You work too many hours, you allow yourself to be treated like shit by your boss, and you make no time for doing what you really love - painting.
Yet you don’t look for a new job. You tell yourself you don’t have the time. You tell yourself your art isn’t good enough to make any money from anyway, so you’ve stopped that altogether. You don’t know what you want to do with your life - and have stopped asking yourself or researching possible career paths.
You’re stuck. Why?
Here are some possible thought patterns:
“If I fail in a new career or creative project, everyone will judge me as stupid and inadequate.”
“I’ve always been pushed to succeed by parents and teachers - I want to rebel because I don’t want to feel controlled by them”
“I only deserve to be at the top, I won’t start something new if it means starting at the bottom”
“If I keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll eventually work something out. Something will come up. It will just fall into my lap (even though it hasn’t and i’ve been doing the same thing for years)”
Do you see how we can rationalise our behaviours? Even if we’re not expressing these to ourselves, on some level we’re using these beliefs as a way to keep ourselves safe and ultimately self sabotage.
So what causes self-sabotaging behaviour?
That's what we're tackling in today's episode + some ways to nip self sabotage in the bud.
You might not know this about me but before I starting blogging as the Creative Introvert, I had a blog called - wait for it - Cat Food is Good For You.
It was mostly about my food philosophy - my quest to find the perfect diet, the perfect exercise regime and perfect everything really. I was really into health in a big way. So many great things came out of that blog, and it’s where I think I found my voice and my way of expressing myself at least through the written word.
It was also when I started listening to podcasts, many of which I’ve traded in now for less-health oriented shows, but Zestology is one that I still insist on listening to when it comes to optimising all different aspects a healthy, happy life.
Tony Wrighton is the host of Zestology, and as much as I love the guests he interviews, he is reason I listen and recommend his show to so many people.
I was lucky enough to get to interview Tony for today’s podcast - and - even more of a treat - this interview took place on a very sunny morning in an unusually quiet park in London.
What we discussed:More info here: http://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/
In 2013, my introvert dreams were answered.
I had made the heady decision on New Years Day to book plane tickets to Japan, signalling my no-way-backing-out-now decision to leave my safety bubble that was my 9-5 job as a web designer in London.
It also signalled the start of my 6-month experiment: be a Freelancer.
Spoiler alert: the experiment went well and I am still working for myself.
But… it was not an easy 6 months. In fact, the years following weren’t exactly a walk in the empty-introvert-friendly-park either.
Like this report shows, many freelancers feel less secure financially - and the pay brackets show this - than being full-time.
Despite the fact that going solo, either freelancing or setting up your own biz, may be the dream for many introverts who can’t abide the office life: it does come with it’s own challenges.
That’s what I want to spend this episode tackling.
Now I touched on one of the biggest sticking points in episode 031 - The Troubleshooting Guide for the Demotivated - which is, you guessed it, dealing with the issue of motivation when you work for yourself.
And naturally, I recommend that particularly if you’ve been freelancing or WFY for some time.
But today is more like a… primer. May be for those who are considering cutting loose from the 9-5 and fancy themselves as a one-man (or woman) band.
You’ll hear me talk about…Dr Ken Carter is a Professor of Psychology at Emory University and has been a psychotherapist and researcher for more than 20 years. I first came across his work - and wonderful TEDx talk when I was researching sensation seeking. So if you caught episode 29 on sensation seeking, what it is to be a HSS or high sensation seeker and the conflict that arises when you are a HSS and have other traits like HSP (high sensitivity) and introversion. And that’s what I chat to Dr Carter about today - he’s done a LOT of research on this fascinating trait, so if you wanted to learn more about it - this is the the podcast for you.
Why is knowing what's important to us - er - important?
I mean, can’t we just accept that this life is random, may be even predetermined and nothing we do is of any real importance?
Er - well, if thinking that helps you: go for it. But if you’re not of the nihilistic ilk then you’re probably looking for a bit more.
There’s something funny about us humans that seems to separate us from the other creatures we cohabit the earth with: We really like having a purpose.
We prioritise aspects of our lives in terms of what’s important to us, and mostly, act accordingly.
When we have a ‘why’ we can do some incredible things.
But what if you are reading this right now and don’t know what you want, or what’s next for you? You might be at a transition point, or trying to make some tough life decisions.
That’s what I’m going to spend this podcast episode helping you work out.
Rather than take this grand theory of Maslow’s as a blanket rule, I want to get specific, and actionable - and leave you with a way to live your life that is in alignment with what matter most to you.
(I’ve also made a handy little workbook to help you work through the method I outline in the show and figure out what MATTERS MOST to you.)
Shownotes: http://wp.me/p5bc9S-26w
Théa Anderson is one of those people who radiate warmth when you meet them - from the get go. I was lucky enough to be introduced to her by a mutual friend earlier this year. Over coffee, and may be a little wine, we realised we had a lot in common. We both help people who often feel a bit like black sheep, and support those who are passionate about creating a life that fits us. That said - Thea is much more outgoing and possibly an extrovert - she’s on the fence - and has been through some turbulent times to get her to where she is today. Times that - honestly - I’m not sure I’d be able to make it through. So if this wonderwoman doesn’t inspire you today - I don’t know what will.
May be this was just my experience. May be it happens to everyone as they grown up, fly the nest and have to start getting by on their own two feet.
For me, someone who thought themselves as naturally motivated to perform well, focus on whatever task I had at hand, and get things done: I woke up to a bit of a shock when I graduated from uni and got stuck into my first job.
This was actually an unpaid internship - and looking back, I don’t blame myself for not feeling particularly motivated.
Other than my deeply engrained good-girl fears of ‘being told off’ I had nothing to motivate me to go above and beyond.
Now, none of this was a major problem until I started working for myself.
Don’t get me wrong: I was living the dream. I got to shun that ‘oh god it’s Monday!’ feeling. I could stay up late on a Sunday night. Heck, I could stay up late any night!
I was the boss of me.
This was super fun! For… may be a month? That’s when I began to notice feelings that would become frequent visitors over the course of my freelance career:
Ung.. I don’t want to get out of bed - why should I bother?
What’s the point - nothing I do even works! No one wants what I make.
What the fuck should I do today? I have so much to do - I don’t know what to do!
And introverted dream aside, I was starting to feel lonely and isolated - no one could relate to what I was going through.
After all, I chose this. I asked for this dream - it was my responsibility that it had become a bit of a nightmare.
I was one demotivated creative introvert.
So this episode may not be useful for every single person listening: you might be in a full time job and very happy with your productivity thank you very much - but may be not. You might be trying to get a side-gig, a passion project off the ground in your free time and are struggling to motivate yourself and get it going.
Or you’re a freelancer who knows if they don’t get their act together, this month’s bills are going to be left unpaid. Or worse - you’ll have to go and get a ‘real job’ again.
My aim is to share what I’ve learned in my time as freelancer and solopreneur. What to do when you’re feeling unfocussed, demotivated and well, a bit depressed.
Well, I’ve been there and I know how painful it can feel. Now, we’re going to change that. We’re going to do this as a super tactical, super doable troubleshooting guide for the demotivated creative introvert.
I’m offering a free month of coaching to a randomly chosen podcast reviewer! Find out more hereTodays guest is kind of a big deal.
And not just because she’s a New York Times best selling author, or because she was voted as one of the Guardian’s Top 100 Creative Professionals of the Year or any of her other awards and accolades - Joanna Penn is a big freakin deal because it was her podcast - the Creative Penn - that was responsible for me entertaining the idea that one day, may be I too could have a podcast.
Ok - so may be that’s just why she’s a big deal to me. But if you aren’t already a fan of JP - her books, blog or podcast - then I’m willing to bet you will be by the end of this interview.
What we discussed:You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten with a ball of yarn (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.)
If you've done much research into what introversion actually is, you might have also come across terms like 'highly sensitive person' or have read that introverts are more sensitive to stimulus in the environment than the more extroverted humans among us.
You might have even come across the term ‘high sensation seeking’ and got wildly confused because how can someone super sensitive to sensation ALSO be a bit of a sensation junky??
But this is where the science-backed brain studies and pop psychology folklore gets muddled - and in this week's episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast, I'm going to clear this confusion up - once and for all!
Or at least attempt to ;)
I discuss:If you leave a review of the Creative Introvert Podcast on iTunes by September 1st 2017, you will be in the mix to win ONE MONTH of creative coaching from myself.
All you have to do is...
1) Leave a review by going to this podcast page in the iTunes store, and
2) Shoot me an email telling me just so I know which review is yours!
I’m going to number them and select a random winner by midnight September 1st. May the odds be ever in your favour!In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to Jasmine Star - photographer, branding expert and all round SUPERSTAR!
What we discussed:Jasmine’s blog post on how to network for introverts
Connect with Jasmine:
You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a kitten with a ball of yarn (or sob into my pillow, depending on what you write.
What is the importance of journaling? Moreover, what is the importance of journaling for introverts?
Well, let's start with what I mean by journaling.
Bujo’s (bullet journals) are incredibly popular on Instagram and the internet at large, but this is not what I’m talking about here.
I’m talking long-form, ideally handwritten, dear-diary style writing.
I’ve been heavily influenced by the concept of Morning Pages, a term used by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way.
While the overall book is more of a 12-step program for recovering creatives who’ve, well lost there way and need to get back on the art-making band wagon, it’s this practise of Morning Pages that are at it’s core, and that most people I’ve spoken to benefitted most from.
Morning pages described by Julia:
Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages* they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only.
Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page...and then do three more pages tomorrow.
And even if the Artists Way approach - which is very much inspired by God and the 12-step AA process - isn’t for you - there are tonnes of left-brainy people out there who recommend journalling - including fellow INTJ Tim Ferriss - you only need to google the term ‘Morning Pages’ to see a whole host of people raving about them.
But the underlying premise is this: journalling is a powerful tool for unlocking creativity, making sense of your own crazy thoughts, and I’m convinced is the number one backbone of my day - above meditation, even.
Yeah I said it.
Even when I’m on holiday or totally thrown off track, I can make time to journal before any of my other life-hacky routines and habits.
Today's podcast digs into:The Diary of Anne Frank The Diary Of Samuel Pepys Captain Scott's Last Expedition by Robert Falcon Scott A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Woolf Conversations With Myself by Nelson Mandela Runaway by Evelyn Lau A Journal of the Plague Year by Daniel Defoe Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Jacobs The Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait The Intimate Journal by George Sand The Journals of Sylvia Plath
Bullet Journal inspiration: Links mentioned:Julia Cameron's Morning Pages
Debbie Millman's Life Visioning
Why writing things down > typing them
The League of Creative Introverts
My habit tracking worksheet example:
FREE RESOURCE: 70 JOURNAL PROMPTSI’ve compiled my epic compendium of 70 journal prompts as a downloadable, print-ready resource for you, which you can grab for FREE below!
Get Your 70 Journal Prompts for Creative Introverts!You can leave a rating and review on iTunes (here's how to do that) and I will be as happy as a clam (or sob into my pillow depending on what you write.)
Todays guest is someone I connected with through Twitter - which is very fitting for our conversation because we really dive deep into what it means to use social media effectively and bust some myths that put a lot of creatives - introverts and extroverts alike - off the platforms.
Damian Keyes is a founder of The British Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) which is now valued at over £50M, and in 2010 started DK Music Management; where he helps musicians find work after leaving music education.
What we discuss:
“Time waits for nobody… sometimes you have to be a bit more ‘in your face’"
“For every no there might be a yes around the corner - you can’t let that stop you”
“As creatives we should put more effort into enjoying the creating as opposed to the end goal”
“Social media boils down to creativity and relationships - if you can master those two things, then everything else is just detail"
Should I stay or should I go? I can never decide!
I don’t meet the right people at networking events.
I go to events but I feel so awkward there I don’t feel like I make a good impression.
I sign up to events but end up bailing at the last minute because I can’t bear to go.
I’ve been there.
In fact, I was there just last night. There are lots of events where I live - currently Brighton - and coming from London, there were even more! I could very easily go to something every night of the week.
But. I’m aware that I’m an introvert. Why would I put myself through that hell?
Last night for example I had to do a real costs/benefits analysis on the bloody thing before I worked out I was running late and that gave me the permission to stay home. Whoops.
What I am also aware of the value of meeting new people. Talking to people about my work. Offering advice and may be landing a new client. Or making a new friend, a business partner, someone to collaborate with on an exciting project.
Fair enough if you get all your clients and customers from a site like Upwork or Fiverr or even your own website - but I’ll be honest: the biggest and best opportunities I’ve ever had? All started with meeting someone - yes - face to face.
Now this isn’t true for 100% of the time and I promise I will do a podcast on the most introvert-friendly ways of landing new clients and connecting with collaborators and reaching customers - I will!
But today I just want to help you with that age old introvert question that comes up when we’re tempted to go to a real life in person event.
In this week's episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast, I'm helping you answer that age-old introvert question: Should I stay or should I go?
I discuss:In this week’s episode of the Creative Introvert podcast I talk to my good friend and fellow introvert in business, Sarah Santacroce. We talk about introvert retreats, masterminds, why it is introverts find it so hard to ask for help and I talk about the bridging process and making things a habit as a way to conquer anything that scares you. On that note it was this call with Sarah that actually prompted my to take on a 30 day challenge to make a FB live video every day! So as I record this intro I’m halfway through the challenge and so far so good - the LEague of Creative Introverts have been subjected to seeing my mug pop up every week day for the last fortnight in the private Facebook group. Honestly? I’m kind of almost enjoying it now, now that I’ve made it a habit. You can find the shownotes to this episode at thecreativeintrovert.com/024 Also just wanted to let you know I’ve made a 6-week step-by-step guide to basically jumpstart or reboot your social media promo efforts. This is specifically for creative introverts and it is specifically for people who want someone to tell them exactly what to do every day, every week on social media. They don’t want the theory they don’t want principles - they want a step-by-step guide and they want measurable results. Ok so currently this is only going to be going out to members of the League of Creative Introverts, which is my private community - members get access to an online library of resources which I add to every month. And for the next 6 weeks beginning the 3rd July 2017 I will be rolling out this 6 week social media plan in real time. So what does this mean for you if you aren’t in the League? Well I thought I might reopen it for one week starting today (so from the 19th to the 26th of June 2017) My aim isn’t to ram as many people as I can inside the LCI - because I do spend a lot of 1-1 time helping individuals and literally cannot cope if it grows too big - hence why it’s usually closed. But for this week, I’m opening doors because I really feel like this is a super valuable resource IF you do it. By going through it in real time with Leaguers I figure we have the best chance in encouraging those who will actually do the stuff and therefore will get some real results. I’m not just making this shit for fun - I really do want to see creative introverts get their art out there - whatever it is, whatever you sell or do - I want stuff to start working for you. This is the plan for anyone who wants that too. So. You want it? Then just follow the sign up form on thecreativeintrovert.com/lci you can join for as little as $19 and you will have access to the 6-week social media plan as soon as we start at the beginning of July.
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I’m talking all about motivation - what it really is, how it’s different for introverts and extroverts and how to make your own motivation if you’re a creative introvert.
I’ve also made a free downloadable checklist - a guide that accompanies this episode - so that you can have that at the ready whenever you feel the slump, the lack of motivation and need something to get you going again.
According to a Google search, the term ‘motivation’ is defined as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors. Motivation is the spark that causes us to act, whether it is getting up for a glass of water to reduce thirst or reading a book to gain knowledge.
Motivation can be either intrinsic - ie. coming from within - or extrinsic - you guessed it - coming from outside of us.
Intrinsic motivation means that the reward we get for doing the behaviour is something like enjoyment, achievement, a sense of competence - things we feel inside.
External motivation rewards are things like money, awards and praise from others.
Now, there is a theory that suggests introverts on the whole need less external motivation than extroverts to stimulate a response. It’s kind of like the lemon juice test.
It’s been proven - with science! - that introverts salivate MORE when given a few drops of lemon juice to the tongue, than extroverts.
Nice to know I can save money on my lemons…
So while we need less of the external triggers - we’re not off the hook.
We still require motivation to get stuff done - but in our case, it is the internal motivation that gives us the kick up the bum we need.
The problems I’ve found in harnessing this intrinsic motivation is that on some days - some months or years - it just doesn’t seem to be there.
We wake up and we go throught the motions - but we aren’t really sure why.
This does not feel good. It makes doing anything a lot harder. Even when the external motivation triggers are there - our insides just aren’t responding.
That’s because we aren’t intrinsically motivated.
So.. how does one conjure up this intrinsic motivation?
It isn’t quite as easy as using an app or getting a reminder on our phone or even getting a bonus at work.
Now I can’t promise you I have a scientifically proven formula for getting yourself intrinsically motivated again - but I have got 7 things I’ve done on those days when I feel like even getting out of bed is a mammoth task.
They’ve become my go-to checklist for those times, that again and again, steer me in the right direction and get my mojo back.
So if you’re feeling like you can’t seem to get something done and you don’t know why, it might be worth trying out at least one of the following exercises to spark that fire again.
Links mentioned: Lemon juice test Decision fatigue My morning routine Using buckets Value setting Walking vs. Sitting for creativity patreon.com/creativeintroToday’s interview is with someone who I truly admire - Mitch Bowler who founded the online creative training site Pencil Kings.
We talk about his dreams as a kid to be a video game designer to his vision to offer affordable art training to everyone - what has ultimately led to Pencil Kings.
Mitch drops a lot of valuable advice for any creative who is striving for perfection but as a result ends up getting discouraged and giving up.
What we discuss:One of the many joys of being an introvert is having access to a world of ideas, musings and dreams that live inside our infinitely imaginative minds. Whilst some day dreams are pleasant and constructive - for example the numerous studies that show the usefulness of envisioning things for top athletes. In one study an exercise psychologist from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation compared people who went to the gym with people who just carried out virtual workouts in their heads. Whilst there was an expected 30% muscle increase in the group who went to the gym, the crazy part is that the group who did only the mental exercises of the weight training ALSO increased muscle strength by 13.5% - nearly half the amount for arguably a lot less effort. However, that’s focussed thought. Most of the time our minds are not focussed - they wander around getting into all sorts of trouble. The part of the brain called the DMN - the default mode network - is responsible for this. Some choice neighbourhoods the DMN likes to wander to are: - unpaid bills - arguments - shopping lists - future plans - and - a favourite of mine - what I want to eat for lunch. Anyway, for introverts in particular, a tendency to overanalyse, get lost in the recesses of memory and wander too far into the uncertain future is all the more… a pain in the arse. Being fully present in what we’re doing, who we’re with and how we’re feeling - is key to boosting happiness and all round contentedness. I’ll admit - I’m recording this episode a wee bit selfishly. Honestly, it’s something I’ve been really trying to focus on - ha the irony - to focus on for the last few months and while I’m definitely getting better at quietening the monkey mind I know it’s a long process. Oh and I should underline that I have no intention of changing my brain wiring entirely - I LOVE my daydreams and really believe in daydreaming for creative idea generation - but I would like to be able to drop into the present moment and appreciate the here and the now to it’s fullest. So if you want to do the same, this episode is for you and I’d love to share the 10 things I’ve been practising to switch from overthinking, overanalysing and overfretting into a much more peaceful, contented introvert. Links mentioned: The value of daydreaming A wandering mind is an unhappy mind Gretchen Rubin Worry Time Insight Timer Breathing techniques patreon.com/creativeintro
Today's guest is someone who has proved that introversion - as well as age and being a full-time student - are no excuses to being a success and creating a business you love.
At a young age Trevor always knew that he was going to be an entrepreneur. Whether he is going door to door selling lemonade at the young age of seven or starting his own lawn care company at age thirteen. As the years passed by, Trevor and his love of entrepreneurship grew exponentially.
We discuss:In this week's episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast, we tackle what makes for a cracking conversation - and how introverts can, er, crack it.
First of all let’s clarify this myth about introverts being social recluses who hate people.
Hopefully you know that that is bullshit - unless that is the case for you, well, just know it’s not true for all introverts.
I LOVE a good chat with someone. Not even close friends - I’ve been known to enjoy talking to strangers sometimes just as much.
BUT.
There are a few conditions that make for a stellar introvert conversation - and a few conditions that make for a dire one.
The kind where you want the ground to part and to be sucked in to a black abyss - just to relieve you of the awfulness.
Anyway - the point of this podcast is to acknowledge the conditions that generally make for a great conversation if you are an introvert OR if you’re an extrovert talking to an introvert - some things to consider.
Not every conversation will be wonderful - whether it’s at work, at family gatherings, parties - if you’re unlucky enough to find yourself at one - and general day-to-day activities.
BUT I’m convinced that with these tips I’m about to outline, you’ll be able to steer a conversation into a much more introvert-friendly direction, use your natural introvert strengths to make it even better - and get the fuck out of it if it is really that bad.
What I cover:
Links mentioned:
Laurie Helgoe - Introvert Power
Erich Fromm's Art of Listening
Alain de Botton - The Course of Love
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview Youngman Brown of Your Creative Push.
I’ll admit it. For the last couple of weeks I’ve been going through a real slump in motivation. May be it’s the change of season - there’s something about being by the sea - even in England - that when the sun comes out, it becomes intensely hard to think of anything other than grabbing a beer and taking the afternoon off.
Just me? Hope not.
This is why I’m so grateful for people like today’s guest whose podcast Your Creative Push is there for me to give me a much needed dose of motivation and inspiration.
Really - the conversations and topics that Youngman Brown covers on his podcast have been a real source of creative fuel for me. It’s so comforting to know that - as much as I love being alone - I’m not alone in this creative journey.
If you’ve ever felt that slump in your creative drive or just need a kick up the bum to get that project finished - or started - then I think you’ll get a LOT out of today’s guest interview.
We discuss:How to Thrive as a Creative Introvert
Inner Enemies to Creativity (free eBook)
We like to be alone, us introverts.
When we can close the door on the chaos around us, the small talk and the pointlesssocial events…. We can simply be alone with our thoughts, and may be our pets.
That time alone is vital for us to recharge. It’s like an athlete who needs to recover after running a race or whatever athletes do.
But to feel lonely?
That is not what we were going for.
There seems to be a tipping point. A point at which alone time can turn into social isolation which can - feel more like loneliness than comforting rest and recouperation.
Yes - as much as we love our alone time - even introverts need people.
The balancing act - between getting that recharge time alone and not feelingin lonely is a tricky one - and one I’ve had my own share of struggles with.
In this podcast I’m going to share a bit about my personal story with battling loneliness as well as some of the solutions we might reach to (that do us more harm than good) and the ones that actually do work and that you can do today or whenever you’re feeling that fog of loneliness appear.
I discuss:In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview Jenny Mustill of Ruby Ruth Dolls.
Todays guest is the first I’ve actually met in real life before asking to come on the show. I basically pounced on Jenny when I found out she makes and sells real tangible products!
This is something that I’ve dabbled in myself, when I was more focussed on my pet portraiture business - purely as an excuse to draw animals and make some money on the side.
But I know how much work goes into producing anything physical - there’s no undo button, you can’t just go and restore a backup you made earlier.
Plus there’s the added challenge that makers and crafters face when selling their work at markets and craft shows and such - I did a bit of this but the introvert in me had a hard time with being around so many people all day long.
Anyway, I talk to Jenny, creator of Ruby Ruth dolls, which are completely handmade partly from recycled jumpers bought in charity shops in my neck of the woods, Brighton, England.
We discuss:Website: rubyruthdolls.com
Instagram: @rubyruthdolls
Facebook: /rubruthdolls
?In this week's edition of the Creative Introvert Podcast I'll be tackling the age old question...
How to say 'NO' without feeling like a terrible human!
I wish I could remember what it was like to be that awkward toddler who loved to say NO to just about anything. Even the stuff I wanted.
For a mixture of reasons, simply saying ‘NO’ - both to ourselves and to others - is something that gets a lot more difficult when we’re older.
It’s in our DNA to want to feel safe, to be loved and accepted. In order to get this, many of us learn that we need to prioritise someone elses needs and feelings, before our own. while this may work for a while; and we may feel there’s less conflict - our inner conflict is actually growing.
Saying no makes us feel guilty - we wouldn’t want to upset anyone - but on the flipside we feel resentful when we yes, because we’re being forced to do something against our will. Basically: we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.
Now, I’m not saying we all need to start thinking only of ourselves and going around acting like narcisstic a-holes, but there is a tricky balance between being a good friend/partner/colleague etc and being a doormat.
I discuss:Meg Kissack is a fellow Brit and blogger behind That Hummingbird Life and the host of The Couragemakers - a podcast that has had me nearly in tears while grocery shopping!
I adore Meg's approach on living life to it’s fullest, and in a totally bull-shit free that feels true to you. We talk about all sorts: from Megs disillusionment with her dream job to dealing with burnout to dealing with people in your life who don’t quite support or even understand what the heck you do.
We discuss:Expectation Hangover - Christine Hassler
Intuitive types vs Sensing types
56 Things to do that aren't reading the news
Sapiens - Yuval Noah Harari
So I’ve asked member of the League of Creative Introverts as well as those following me on social media to submit questions to the me on the subject of being a creative introvert and any kind of struggles y’all are facing.
While I’m not a qualified creative introvert - I’m sure one day that could be a real thing - I hope that my advice is somewhat useful regardless of where you are on your creative journey.
Also you can send in questions for future Q+A-style episodes, to hello@thecreativeintrovert.com and I will hopefully be able to answer them for you here.
I answer:In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview James Scully.
James Scully is a native Brooklynite, a total Renaissance man, and founder of the Wallbreakers.
More than a blog, the Wallbreakers is a mission to help us discover how to live a life doing the things we’re most passionate about.
We discuss:In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I share my three weapons I use against the big ol' FEAR monster.
Part of being an overanalysing, overthinking, creative introvert, for me means I love to get to the root of a problem.
Once we know what lies at the heart of it: we can start to work on whatever is stopping us from doing or having or being something we want.
So, I’ve gone on various quests since going freelance then starting my own business: to work out exactly why I struggled with certain aspects like going to networking events, talking about my work, contacting big shots and so on.
I’ve worked out a lot of the common ‘inner enemies’ as I like to call them, that have got in the way of doing the things I know I should do, and often know how to do.
It’s useful to know about these little f*ckers because that way you can take specific action to overcome them or work around them. There are various exercises I outline in this episode and accompanying ebook that do exactly that.
But what if you aren't sure exactly what's causing this resistance? You don't know why You can't bring yourself to get out the paints. You can't figure out why you keep putting off emailing that person. You're stumped as to why you can't hit publish.
That's when I dig deeper. I had to do this myself when I realised I can't just think my way past creative resistance.
That's when I realised there was a feeling -not a thought causing my resistance. I realised the underlying feeling causing all of these inner enemies to reveal themselves and cause havoc was... fear.
The gut-churning, frow-furrowing, palm-sweat inducing feeling that has been with us for - well, millennia.
Do I really expect to abolish feeling fear once and for all in just one podcast episode?
Well, no. Not my style.
But... I do feel like I've pegged three tools or 'weapons' that I've found to be incredibly effective for using whenever I'm feeling that ickyness in the pit of my stomach, and l'm not entirely sure why.
The 3 weapons I outline:I go into detail on how exactly I use them to overcome fear and 'the resistance' in the episode.
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview J. Thorn - the the voice behind the Intronaut, a podcast for introverts that I absolutely love and can definitely recommend to fellow innies.
J is a Top 100 Most Popular Author on Amazon, and believes that reading dark fiction can be healing.
His overriding mission is to connect with you through my art, and hopes to inspire you to do the same. He is a word architect and a driven visionary.
Obsessed with heavy metal, horror films and technology, J admires strong people who are not afraid to speak their mind.
Some links mentioned:In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I dig into how we can identify our personality type and use it to our advantage in our creative work.
Now, you might have heard of various personality type tests; StrengthsFinder, the Big Five, the Enneagram… and Myers-Briggs - which is what I’m going to be basing this on. You may also have decided that this personality typing stuff is a load of hooey - that it’s closer to horoscopes than it is to scientifically backed research. I’m not going to delve into the validity of this stuff. All I know is that it has shined a light on my own strengths, weaknesses and has deepened my self awareness in a way that I’ve found invaluable to my business and creativity and quality of life in general. Here's what I cover:In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I interview Martin Stellar - the monk for entrepreneurs.
Martin Stellar is one of the few people, next to Seth Godin, whose emails I actually look forward to getting: they are always weirdly timely to whatever I’m going through in my creative business life.
He specialises in business coaching for artists, and on more than one occasion they've inspired me to take action or solve a problem that otherwise would have rotted away in the recesses of my mind.
So in our chat we talk about taking action on scary things, pushing our comfort zone, listening to our intuition, Martin’s daily walking ritual and I also agree to take on a challenge Martin sets me - tune in to find out what it is….
Here's what we cover:Website: Martinstellar.com
Twitter: @martinstellar
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I call out the 10 inner enemies to creativity.
Here's what I cover:Don't forget to download your FREE 60+ page ebook, where I outline the 10 inner enemies of creativity and show you the 10 exercises to overcome them: http://wp.me/p5bc9S-1VC
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I explain what the introvert's dilemma is - and how to deal with it.
Part of being a functioning human in society does require… other people.
That's the introvert dilemma I’m talking about.
People!
This podcast episode is all about how introverts do indeed need other people - not that we simply tolerate others, not that we do our best to live alongside our fellow sapiens: but that we actually NEED the company of others and the support, input and inspiration that we can ONLY get from other people.
Here's what I cover:*GOYA: Get Off Your Arse
I love talking about big things. Big dreams, big ideas, big plans.
But I’ve noticed that the majority of these conversations tend to peter out the same way.
With something to the effect of ‘Ahh but I just don’t have the time.'
Or ‘I’ve tried in the past but gave up because it took up too much time.'
And before I pull out the quote ‘Beyonce has the same number of hours in a day to you’ which is true but not helpful - I just want to preface this podcast with letting you know I was THE laziest kid in the world.
Really: I remember being asked in school how many hours of TV I watched a day - and my answer came out 2 hours above the majority of the class.
My mum had to stop taking me to ballet classes because I refused to give up my Saturday morning cartoons - specifically, I believe it clashed with Rocko’s Modern Life.
Anyway, getting sh*t done does NOT come easily to me: it’s something I’ve tried really hard over the years to master and I still struggle with it today.
Who doesn’t?
But because I’m so bloody lazy, I’ve managed to - over the years - devise crafty ways to make tackling the to-do list as easy as humanly possible.
Part of my success I believe, involves knowing as much as I can about my personality type; my preferences, my tendencies - and using that knowledge to shape how I tackle any task.
I really think this is key: and as I go through these 4 steps I’m about to lay out I’ll keep referring to ways you can use your own knowledge about yourself, whether it’s your introversion, extroversion, whether you’re an early bird or a nigh owl - all that stuff - to really tailor these strategies to you - and ultimately, get sh*t done.
In this episode of The Creative Introvert podcast I explain my brainwave idea for setting kinesthetic goals.
Before you jump to the conclusion that this is yet another attempt to drill in the overused acronym about setting SMART goals: I promise it’s not that.
And maybe I’m not the only person who has approached goal setting in this way, but it’s new to me and even in the short time I’ve been dabbling with it; it has made a huge difference in how I act and feel on a daily basis, so I’m really excited to share it with you. Ok so the way I’m going to lay this out for you is by first explaining the problem with traditional goals and goal setting, I’ll explain a bit about why certain strategies work for some not for others (spoiler alert: you aren’t unmotivated or lazy necessarily) and finally we’ll wrap up with my step-by-step kinesthetic goal setting approach. Here's what I cover:*GOYA: Get Off Your Arse
To clarify: the 'C' word I'm referring to is: CONFIDENCE.
It's a word that has been, for me, muddied with the likes of ‘confidence gurus’ and other extroverted characters I’ve never been able to relate to.
When speaking to my coach about this confidence conundrum, he reminded me of the origin of the word: 'confidence' comes from the Latin fidere, 'to trust.'
To be confident is to trust in yourself, your actions and your place in the world. Words like trust and faith happened to be very meaningful to me at that point: they were my anchors; my antidotes to the fears I was facing at every turn in building my business.
So I decided that instead of running away from the word, I’d reclaim it. Take it back to it’s origins, and dispel any myths and identity crises it’s had over the years since the self-help revolution captured it.
This episode of the Creative Introvert Podcast is for anyone who feels like they've tried ALL the things and still... nothing seems to be working.
You're not moving forward like you expected, you feel like you're spinning your wheels and you may even be ready to throw in the towel.
BUT WAIT!
Before you do - give this one a listen. It's less than 15 mins long, and I include my 5-step action plan (which you can also download at http://www.thecreativeintrovert.com/002
Here's what I cover:It only seems right that the first 'proper' episode of The Creative Introvert podcast covers the topic that started this whole Creative Introvert thing off.
Here's what I cover:*GOYA: Get Off Your Arse
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