About Me

I have been a practicing interior designer for over 25 years. And, in that time, I put my personal creative endeavors and self care on the back-burner, focusing solely on my professional career. 

I realized too late, when my health took a downturn and I suffered from burnout, that my priority was in the wrong place. Not only was my emotional tank empty, but so was my artistic side. Whenever I tried to do any kind of creative project for myself, the tendency was to edit it from the start, and for my efforts to fizzle out when I couldn't reach perfection because I was too exhausted.

What I didn't realize then was that having a more holistic approach to self care was a way to keep my creative self fulfilled and happy. I decided to address this in a blog. 

• To cultivate a journey for myself, and others like me to actively practice the art of wabi-sabi  (a Japanese view on aesthetics for the acceptance of beauty that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete). To appreciate the results of any creative effort.

• To get into a flow state of pure concentration, so that time moves slowly, to be fully absorbed in the task. 

• To let the imagination soar without judgement,  which helps to meditate, relax, reflect, and problem solve. 

• To be creative every day in some small way, contributing to overall wellbeing and mental perspective.

I consider this journey a work in progress, a therapeutic, fluid and ever changing voyage with some interesting insights along the way. I know it will provide an opportunity to learn something new, to make life interesting, and to appreciate how serendipity can play a fun, and enjoyable role. 

Kurt Vonnegut, (American novelist) who penned a letter in response to some high school students' request to visit their school, wrote this advice (excerpt below) instead: 

"...you will find that you have already been gloriously rewarded for your creativity. You have experienced becoming, learned a lot more about what’s inside you, and you have made your soul grow."

Creativity, like traveling, can sometimes be chaotic, with multiple do-overs, losing direction, fear of the unknown, and mental lethargy. But as we engage in ways to lead a more balanced life with self care as a priority, our creativity will flourish.We will embrace the messiness of the process with gratitude, knowing it will ultimately lead to something greater. 😁

Thank you so much for being here, and I look forward to having you in this space!  

Warmest Regards,

Michelle

Michelle Angelina Creative