The Unbound Creative

Did you ever hear something and you don’t know exactly why, but you knew in that moment you were meant to hear it? That happened to me recently at an unexpected moment.

The tears instantly came.

It was an invitation back to myself after going through a period of feeling lost.

When you feel like you’ve lost yourself, I believe it’s often because you’re not allowing your awareness to go to those places in your soul. There’s something that feels “off limits” and you suppress it. You’ve become used to doing this to the point you forgot who you are. And perhaps for a multitude of reasons… fear of what others might think, the reality of your current situation, trying to be practical.

But what if you would allow yourself to play in the possibility without judgment, without needing to “figure it out”? What if you gave yourself permission to feel your way to the answers within yourself because the answers are there? What would it look like to dream and slowly find your way back?

If you are feeling lost in your creativity, this episode (love letter) is for you.

Please share this podcast with someone you think may enjoy it and take a moment to write a review. It helps other creatives find "Dear Creative Soul" on their favorite platform.

Follow Valerie on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan
Visit: valeriemckeehan.com

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

Dear Creative Soul,

You’re allowed to change your mind 
You’re allowed to quit something
You’re allowed to experiment
You’re allowed to start something new.

There are no rules!

Giving the world the gift of your honest, authentic self is worth pushing past the made up rules and limitations we put on ourselves. 

In case you felt like you needed permission, this episode is it! 

We will break down the fears that make us feel like we are unable to quit, change our mind, or pivot. It’s time to release the people pleasing and scarcity mindsets, and step into your next right step. 

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

One of the biggest blockers to creativity is the fear of making a mistake. You probably have multiple ideas swirling through your head at any given moment, but maybe you're feeling afraid to choose the “wrong” one and move forward. Or maybe you feel intimidated to create, worrying that the end result won’t be what you had envisioned.

For 12+ years while we are in school, we are taught there are right answers and wrong answers. All of our learning is leading to the end result of getting straight A’s, a good report card, or a high GPA.

But this way of thinking is harmful when it comes to creativity! An emphasis on the end result will cause a fear of making a mistake. Thinking there is a “right” and a “wrong” choice, will leave you debilitated.

Creativity requires an emphasis on the process. 

It’s the messiness and mistakes that inevitably come from the process that will move you forward. 

In this episode, you’ll learn tips for becoming resilient to making mistakes so that you can create freely and enjoy the journey.

• Connect with Valerie on Instagram
• Check out ValerieMcKeehan.com

Please take a moment to leave a review! It helps other creatives find the podcast.

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

Sometimes there are so many creatives directions we can take and this can leave us stuck! I’ve been feeling this way lately.

In today’s episode we’ll talk about the simple mindset shifts to get unstuck and things we can tell ourselves to bring more fun into the process!

Follow along on Instagram @valeriemckeehan and at valeriemckeehan.com

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

What if I told you that according to NASA scientists, you are a creative genius?

It's true!

I learned about the most fascinating study and it changes everything - especially how we see ourselves. After conducting a study of 1600 4 and 5-year olds, scientists found that 98 percent scored at "creative genius" level.

98 percent!

But just ten years later, the same group of children were re-tested and the number plummeted to only two percent showcasing this creative ability.

Somewhere along the way, we let our imaginations become buried by life experiences, doubts, self-consciousness, fear of looking silly and the like. But that creative genius is still inside. It's intrinsic to who you are. 

Today on the latest episode of The Dear Creative Soul Podcast, we're discussing how to get it back. 

I would love it if you would give it a listen and share it with a creative soul who needs some encouragement today!

Mentioned in this episode:

INC.com article

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

It can feel intimidating to start something new, but I would argue that being a beginner in a new creative endeavor is magical.

Here’s how to embrace those awkward, messy stages and have the courage to try. You never know what joy is waiting on the other side!

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

I’m going to say something perhaps unexpected: I believe you need more stress in your life! 

BUT - the right kind of stress and in the right amount.

With too much stress, we can face overwhelm and burnout, but with not enough, we also experience low emotions of purposelessness and lack of energy. We live in a rhythmic and cyclical universe - think about circadian rhythms, seasons, and moon cycles. We’re not meant to be in constant expenditure or underuse of energy. 

The key is in balancing moments of high creative exertion (stress) with recovery and replenishment. When we can manage our energy in this way, we will feel much better in our creative practices!

This episode will tackle the answer to this, which I believe to be the power of creative routines.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Power Of Full Engagement 

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

The vulnerability required for being a creative can sometimes come with burnout, overwhelm, and overthinking. As beautiful as it is to create, when we’re in constant output mode without inputting into ourselves, it can lead to blocks and frustration. 

I love the quote by Anton Chekhov, “if you want to work on your art, work on your life.”

In today’s episode, we’re going to cover 7 simple ideas you can do to bring some self-care into your daily rituals. Self care isn’t all about face masks and bubble baths (although I do love those things!) It is about managing our personal energy so that we can move from angst to creating from a place of joy! 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Crafter’s Box
• My Pastel Crafter’s Box
• The Power of Full Engagement
• The Artist’s Way
• Margaux Coffee Shop, Pittsburgh, PA

Learn more about Valerie at valeriemckeehan.com and follow her on Instagram @valeriemckeehan. 

Please take a moment to rate and review the Dear Creative Soul podcast! 

It is a huge help in others finding the podcast. Additionally, if you know someone who would benefit from this episode, please share it!

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

Have you ever told yourself “Oh, everyone else is already doing that!” about a creative endeavor that you wanted to try? 

It’s easy to look at what everyone else is doing and feel overwhelmed. We fear the world may not need our participation, but I can tell you with confidence that this is a trap and completely untrue! 

We are both similar and connected to each other AND entirely unique at the same time. The way your heart is going to manifest its creative expression is something ONLY YOU can do. 

And the world needs it. We need your voice. We need your beauty. There’s a group of people out of the 8 billion on this planet that needs what only you can provide or unlock. 

Join me at my table today. I have some encouragement for you. 

Mentioned in this episode:

• Strengths-Based Marriage Book
• Clifton Strength Finder
• Recipe for Calm Podcast
• Typology Podcast
• Cathy Heller Podcast

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.

It can be a struggle to show up imperfectly and messy for a number of reasons (looking at you perfectionism and fear), but what is at the heart of the issue? I believe we are afraid to fail. 

What if I told you that failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen? Not even close! In fact, it’s something to be embraced and even welcomed. 

Failure means motion, moving forward. It acts as a flashlight to show us where we need to adjust and try again.

I believe we need to change the conversation around failure and imperfection. It is all part of the creative’s journey. Join me at my table today. I have some encouragement for you.

If you like this episode, please take a moment to review my podcast! It helps others find me and I love hearing from you. Also, please follow me on Instagram: @valeriemckeehan.

Thanks for listening to The UnBound Creative!

 If today’s episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or leave us a review, it helps more creatives discover the show.

💌 Connect with us on Instagram:
 @valeriemckeehan & @thatmakguy (that’s Mak with a K!)

Keep creating bravely. We’re so glad you’re here.