We’re getting honest in this one.

So many creatives feel stuck, not because they aren’t talented or motivated, but because they’re silently following the rules everyone else is following. The ones that say: “Be practical. Play it safe. Stick to the plan.”

In this episode, we unpack why that mindset is stifling your creativity. We explore left-brain vs. right-brain thinking, the pressure to conform, and how school and culture train us to fear failure and abandon joy. Valerie shares insights from Beyond Anxiety by Martha Beck, and Mak opens up about what it’s like to be labeled “rebellious” just for thinking differently.

This is your permission slip to question the shoulds, trust what lights you up, and start living creatively...on your terms.

Whether you’re just getting started or deep in a creative rut, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air.

🎧 Press play. Make the mess. And stop doing what everyone else is doing.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why following the crowd can kill your creativity
• How left-brain thinking fuels anxiety and what to do instead
• Why rebellion is often a sign of creative strength
• How school and culture condition us to fear failure
• The power of starting messy without a five-year plan
• How to trust your own creative instincts—even when they go against the norm

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.