Why self-reflection matters in both creativity and life
Today, I’m diving into something near and dear to my heart: the art of reflection and how it ties into creativity, self-discovery, and healing.
But first, let’s talk about some exciting changes around here! I’ve rebranded the podcast to make it clearer what we’re all about: exploring the emotional side of creativity and how it can help us heal and uncover our true selves. This new chapter is about being more conversational, more human, and yes, more vulnerable. So let’s jump in!
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Why Reflection Matters
With the holiday season behind us and a new year stretching out ahead, many of us feel the pull to plan, set goals, and hit the ground running. But let’s be real: the pressure to figure it all out immediately can feel overwhelming. The truth is, winter—with its slower pace—is the perfect time to pause and reflect.
Reflection isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. It’s the secret sauce to understanding where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and where you want to go next. It’s also a powerful antidote to the societal expectation of constant output, especially for those of us who are introverted, neurodivergent, or deeply intuitive.
When we take time to reflect, we become our own best guides. No one knows you better than you—and tuning in regularly can reveal insights that no outside expert could offer.
Embracing Flow Over Rigid Plans
If you’ve ever felt shackled by a rigid plan, you’re not alone. For years, I set ambitious goals and tried to meticulously plan my way through the year. But by mid-year, many of those goals no longer felt relevant. I’ve since learned to trust my intuition and embrace a more fluid approach to life. It’s scary, sure, but it’s also freeing.
This year, I’m leaning into that freedom even more, inspired by friends who’ve embraced intuitive living. It’s about listening to your heart and trusting your inner wisdom—a practice that aligns beautifully with creative expression.
Reflection as Medicine
Reflection is often underrated, dismissed as something you do when you have time. But it’s transformative. It’s where the magic happens, where healing begins, and where clarity emerges. Think of it as your secret superpower.
When you regularly reflect, you start to notice patterns, uncover what’s working (and what’s not), and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. This practice can be as simple as journaling, meditating, or taking a quiet walk. The key is consistency and curiosity—checking in with yourself without judgment.
Tips for Practicing Self-Reflection
If you’re ready to dive into reflection, here are three ideas to get started:
Reflect Regularly: Don’t wait for the end of the year or a major milestone. Make reflection a daily or weekly habit. Whether it’s journaling, meditating, or just sitting with your thoughts, create space to connect with yourself.
Reframe Reflection as Essential: Stop treating reflection as an optional extra. It’s critical for personal growth and healing. Use it to tune into your feelings, learn from your experiences, and chart a path forward that feels true to you.
Keep a Process Journal: When you engage in creative activities, take notes on what you’re learning about yourself. This transforms your creative practice from simply making things to a deeper exploration of your inner world. For example, I’ve discovered that I needed to keep my art private for a while to reconnect with my joy of creating.
Closing Thoughts
At the heart of reflection is self-knowledge. Every decision, every experience, every creative project—it all circles back to understanding yourself better. When you take responsibility for knowing yourself, you gain the clarity and confidence to live a life that feels authentically yours. Until next time, stay creative!
Renata is a creativity coach empowering neurodivergent and multi-passionate women of color, to use creativity as a tool for self-discovery and healing, so they can let go of feeling inadequate and insecure and start experiencing more confidence and self-acceptance. She’s currently offering a free copy of her therapeutic art making workbook when you sign up for her email list. Sign up here to get your free copy.
