Rekindling My Creative Passion: A Personal Journey
Over 30 years ago, I took my first yoga class. What began as a simple introduction to poses and Hindu chants unexpectedly set me on a lifelong creative journey. Chanting opened something profound in me—a connection to my voice, my emotions, and a world of expression I never knew existed. That one spark led me to explore tap dancing, reading beat poets like Ginsberg and Kerouac, writing poetry and short stories, sketching, and painting. For the first time, I found an outlet for all of my feelings, even the darkest ones.
Fast forward to 2020. Like so many, the pandemic hit me hard. I was in the middle of launching an outdoor program for young adults when everything came to an abrupt halt. The creative momentum stopped, and I found myself grieving deeply for what felt like a lost part of me. Isolated at home, I turned to painting as a way to cope with the fear and uncertainty around me. At first, it was a relief—a way to release the tension and find some peace. But as the months wore on, I fell into patterns of numbing my pain with alcohol, marijuana, shopping, social media, TV, and food. The freedom I felt in painting started to dull, overtaken by the whispers of my shadow: “You’re not really an artist. You’ll never be as good as others. Just give up.” These thoughts fed my fear.
Then one day, I saw a class being offered by the Awareness Institute: “Rekindling Your Creative Passion: Doing What You Love with The Artist Way.” Intrigued and ready to emerge from the fearful, self-doubting state I had been in, I signed up. Little did I know this decision would change everything. As I read Julia Cameron’s words in The Artist’s Way, I felt seen and understood: “As you learn to recognize, nurture, and protect your inner artist, you will be able to move beyond pain and creative constriction. You will learn ways to recognize and resolve fear, remove emotional scar tissue, and strengthen your confidence. Damaging old ideas about creativity will be explored and discarded.” These words guided me out of the shadows and back into my creative flow.
Through the 13-week journey, I began to clear away years of unresolved creative blockages and the limiting beliefs that had fueled my addictive behaviors. Each weekly reading, exercise, and practice felt like another step forward. Morning Pages became a sacred ritual—a daily practice of writing my thoughts and emotions onto the page without judgment. Artist Dates reawakened my playful inner child, allowing me to rediscover joy in the simplest acts of creation.
As the weeks went on, something profound began to shift. I started trusting the process, becoming more honest and vulnerable with myself and my classmates. Synchronicities appeared—small, magical moments that reminded me I was on the right path. Spontaneous dancing and laughter returned to my days. My creative world began to expand: I sold my paintings for the first time, transformed my garage into an “art cave” where I host art playdates, and even started teaching self-expression classes.
Today, I continue to revisit The Artist’s Way every year, knowing that this journey is never truly complete. Creativity isn’t just about making art; it’s about living fully, embracing joy, and opening ourselves to the limitless possibilities within. This process has transformed not only my creative work but also how I see myself. I’ve learned to integrate the masculine and feminine parts of myself, honor my unique gifts, and most importantly, practice loving myself.
Now, I have the privilege of teaching this transformative process to others. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or someone who has always felt disconnected from your creative side, this journey has something to offer you. It’s about finding your voice, reclaiming your joy, and stepping into the light of who you truly are.
The next 13-week class begins Monday, January 6th. If you feel a spark reading this, consider it an invitation to join us. Together, we’ll explore the possibilities of creativity and rediscover the magic waiting within.
Let’s create something beautiful together. Save your spot »
Kim
Kim has served on the Awareness Institute volunteer team since 2014.