From Burnout to Creative Recovery. The Ritual That Changed Everything for Me
“Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.”
— Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
Back in 2020, life felt heavy.
The world had slowed down, but inside, I was spinning. I was working long hours in tech, using alcohol to numb the stress, and feeling increasingly disconnected from myself. The uncertainty of that time brought up old patterns, anxiety, and an ache I couldn’t name.
Then, my first coach mentioned a book called The Artist’s Way.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect—but I was desperate for a shift. So, I bought the book, found a blank notebook, and began.
Discovering Morning Pages
One of the two basic tools from The Artist’s Way is called Morning Pages, which is three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing every morning.
No edits. No structure. Just whatever needs to come through.
At first, it felt strange, and it was messy, my thoughts, the words, and even my actual handwriting. Some days were full of complaints or confusion; others were just a jumble of words. But soon, I noticed something subtle but powerful: the more I wrote, the quieter my mind became.
Morning Pages became my daily ritual. A place to unload mental clutter, name what I was feeling, and start to hear my own truth beneath the noise.
When I paired that with Artist Dates, fun solo adventures meant to spark curiosity and joy, I began to feel creative again, not because I was making art, but because I was reconnecting with life itself.
What Began to Shift
As I kept showing up for myself every morning, something shifted.
The anxiety started to quiet.
The self-doubt softened.
And the creative spark I didn’t realize I had felt awakened.
Through The Artist’s Way, I realized creativity wasn’t about being able to draw or paint. It was about being present. About allowing something real and alive to move through me.
That simple daily practice helped me shift my relationship with alcohol, release cycles of anxiety and panic, and begin to trust myself again.
Morning Pages became the foundation for everything that followed, including the birth of Karen’s Daughter.
Five years later, I still write them nearly every day. They’re how I process, reflect, and realign. This is one of my foundational rituals that helps keep me grounded, aligned, and in my lifelong process of growth.
Why I am Leading The Artist’s Way Workshop
Now, I’m offering this journey in community.
Starting Monday, October 27th @ 4 PM PT, I’ll be guiding a 14-week Artist’s Way Workshop, a creative recovery circle through the season of winter.
Winter invites us to slow down, shed old patterns, and listen inward.
By spring, what’s been quietly forming beneath the surface begins to bloom.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, creatively blocked, or simply ready to reconnect with yourself, I’d be honored to walk beside you.
✨ Join The Artist’s Way Workshop ✨
A 14-week guided journey through winter for creative renewal
🗓️ October 27th – March 9th
💸 Sliding scale: $140–$420
📍 Meets Mondays @ 4 PM PT
🌐 More details at https://www.karensdaughter.com/artists-way-workshop
🔗 Register Here
