Welcome back to The Creative Calm Podcast! In this episode, I open up about my eight-month hiatus and the deeply personal journey that brought me back to the mic. As a creative wellness coach, mom of four, and business owner, I’ve had to lean into the magic of rest, creativity, and play to find my way through life’s overwhelm—and I’m eager to share my story with you.

In This Episode, I Share:

• Taking a Step Back: Why I needed to step away from the podcast, my newsletter, and many other things—how the pause helped me reflect, and why too much time away didn’t feel right for me.
• Discovering ADHD: Last summer, I realized I might have ADHD after hearing women share their similar experiences. I get into my quest for answers, the intensive neuropsych testing I underwent, and the clarity (and self-compassion) that a diagnosis of inattentive ADHD has brought me.
• Coping with Life’s Messiness: From dealing with a major home remodel to navigating the chaos of a creative drought, I talk about the frustration (and acceptance) that comes with things being in disarray—and how I managed to keep some creativity alive amidst it all.
• Choosing Imperfection Over Inaction: Whether recording in my car or struggling to stick with routines, I openly discuss the pressure to do things “the right way” and my decision to show up, imperfections and all.
• Reconnecting with My Calling: In this season of life, I feel even more strongly called to celebrate and nurture creativity, encourage self-discovery, and be a beacon of hope when the world feels heavy.
• Learning to Honor My Brain and Rhythms: I reflect on how my creative process doesn’t look like everyone else’s, how I’m learning what works for me, and why it’s okay when things don’t happen on a strict schedule.

Here’s What I Hope You Take Away:

• Sometimes stepping away is necessary, but it’s also okay to miss what you love and find your way back
• Self-discovery can reshape how you see yourself and how you show up in the world
• You don’t have to have ADHD to know that understanding yourself matters
• Imperfect action is better than none—creativity thrives when we give ourselves grace
• You deserve rest, creativity, play, and the chance to rewrite your patterns

If something I shared resonated with you, please consider leaving a five-star review or sharing a screenshot to help spread the Creative Calm revolution. Your support means the world to me, and I’m so grateful to have you here on this creative journey.

Let’s keep embracing the beauty of rest, creativity, and play—together.

With gratitude,
Denise