In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Vicky Winkler, founder of Wildly Creative Wellness, an art journaling and creative wellness community. Vicky shares how art journaling helped her move from feeling "only okay" to finding real purpose and fulfillment. She describes art journaling as focused on process over outcome with no perfectionism required, and explains how that mindset can build confidence to experiment in other areas of life too. She outlines her Wildly Creative’s monthly themes, weekly prompts, live creation calls, and co-working sessions, and the group discusses why rigid routines like The Artist's Way can fall short and how to start simply instead.

Vicky Winkler is the founder of Wildly Creative Wellness, a space where everyday people discover that creativity has always lived inside them. Through art journaling workshops, online retreats, and one on one support, she helps people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and find fulfillment through self-expression. Her work is rooted in the belief that making art isn’t just for “artists.” It’s for anyone who wants to feel more alive.

Kat is the Founder of kat&co, a Creative Operations Consultant, and the Co-Owner and Director of Operations at Benchwork Fabrication. She helps interior designers and creatives turn ideas into streamlined, sustainable businesses. With a background in psychology and deep experience in creative business operations, she’s known for navigating the intersection of creativity and systems with both strategy and empathy. Join her newsletter, The kat&co Download.

Ellen Hockley is a three-time entrepreneur, small business consultant, community builder, and the founder of Ellen Hockley Consulting and SAGE Women. She guides female founders to build intuitive, values-driven businesses aligned with the life they want for themselves and their families. Join her Substack newsletter, ⁠The Quiet Wins⁠.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

01:09 Meet Vicky Winkler

02:34 Why Art Journaling

04:59 Perfectionism Blocks

06:26 Journal Not Canvas

08:00 Creative Without Selling

10:36 Membership Breakdown

14:07 Calls And Sanctuary

15:20 Artists Way Debate

20:06 Five Minute Practice

21:17 Tools For Regulation

23:51 No Rules Mindset

25:30 Leap of Faith Art

25:49 Cortisol and Creativity

26:42 Blank Page Tricks

27:27 Five Minute Time Paradox

28:45 Timers Flow and Breaks

32:03 Finding Art Journaling

35:01 Creative Identity Blocks

36:35 Easy Supplies to Start

38:56 Healing Through Drawing

42:18 Try It and Connect

43:38 Episode Wrap Up