Therapists, helpers, and creatives — you weren’t made to burn out.
You were made to create from your Zone of Genius.
💛 Grab the free guide and start crafting work that energizes (not drains) you.

If you’ve felt the tug between meaningful work and your own wellbeing, you’re not alone. After a slow summer and a lot of reflection, I’m more grounded and aligned than I’ve ever been—and I want that for you, too. This post shares what shifted: embracing seasons, following creative breadcrumbs, rethinking the limits of 1:1 therapy, and intentionally building community that restores rather than depletes.

I talk often about the butterfly life cycle: we all move through catalyst → cocoon (a.k.a. the goo stage) → emergence. This summer was goo season for me. I pared back, tended to what needed tending, and trusted that momentum would return—and it did. If you’re in a cocoon right now, you’re not broken. You’re becoming.

I didn’t plan a solo. Life nudged me, I asked a musician friend for a track, and everything clicked. That “yes” led to one of the most healing experiences of my year and reminded me: creativity isn’t extra—it’s a way back to aliveness and clarity in every other part of life.

I’m grateful for therapy—and I’m also honest about its limits inside traditional containers. Some of my deepest healing has come outside the therapy room: through movement, story, laughter, friendship, and small groups that hold me while I build a life that fits. That’s part of why I’m building spaces for therapists and creatives to do this work together.

Pink argues we’re moving from the Information Age into the Conceptual Age—where six “senses” become indispensable:

If you’re a therapist or helper, you’re already fluent in many of these. The invitation is to bring them to the center of your work—not just the edges.

We crave contribution—to help, teach, build, and heal. But contribution alone leads to self-sacrifice and burnout. We also need fulfillment—creative passion, joy, and work that feels like us. Fulfillment alone can veer into emptiness. The sweet spot? Both.

I’ve launched a small, co-creative, online community for therapists, helpers, and creative entrepreneurs who want to build work that feels alive, sustainable, and aligned—and do it together.

What’s inside (founding version):

If you’re craving a small, brave community to explore your Zone of Genius and build energizing income streams without burning out, send me a note at [email protected] or hop on Voxer (linked in my emails) to feel into whether it fits.

P.S. Not ready for a group? Start with the Zone of Genius Guide—it’s free and it’ll get you moving: pages.drshawnhondorp.com/zone
Want updates on meetups, workshops, and retreats? Join the list: drshawnhondorp.com/contact/

This blog and podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute medical or mental health advice and are not a substitute for professional consultation or treatment.