Reclaiming creativity amid life's chaos

There's a moment in our lives when we step back, look around, and wonder, "Where did I go?"

Not in the literal sense—our calendars are full, our responsibilities endless. We show up for our families, careers, and communities, checking off the never-ending to-do list. We juggle the roles of mother, daughter, partner, friend, boss, and caregiver, but somewhere along the way, we get lost in the shuffle.

The chaos of life often feels like a hamster wheel, spinning wildly while someone else controls the speed. We wake up, dive into obligations, handle one crisis after another, and fall into bed exhausted—only to do it all again tomorrow. The cycle repeats, and that quiet, creative part of us that once played, explored, and made begins to fade into the background.

But here's the truth: She's still there.

Before the World Told You Who to Be…

Before schedules, deadlines, and expectations, think back to when you were a child. What did you really, truly dream of?

Did you spend hours drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, building your own fairy house with cereal boxes and twigs, or making a masterpiece with Play-Doh? Maybe you danced in front of the mirror, scribbled stories in a notebook, or painted with wild abandon, completely unaware of whether it was good.

Back then, creativity wasn't about productivity. It wasn't about making something worthy or useful. It was about being alive in the moment, feeling the joy of creating just for the sake of making.

And then life stepped in.

We learned that good grades matter more than doodling in the margins, practical careers trump creative dreams, and that motherhood, work, and caregiving require all of us, leaving no space for the things that once lit us up.

But here's what they don't tell you: Creativity isn't extra, frivolous, or something you do after all the "important" things are done. It's essential to being you and finding our way back to ourselves.

Why Creativity Heals Us

Art, journaling, and creative play are therapeutic tools that help us process emotions, reduce stress, and reconnect with our inner voice. Studies show that engaging in creativity lowers cortisol levels (aka stress hormones), improves mental clarity, and even helps with identity formation—which is exactly what many of us need in midlife.

Journaling, in particular, is one of the most powerful ways to reconnect with your lost self. I'm not referring to the old days of those little locked diaries or Are you there, God, it's me Margaret style. Instead, I mean using words and images to uncover the parts of yourself that have been buried beneath responsibilities. Try this:

 

Write without rules. Don't edit yourself; just pour your thoughts onto the page. Use pen, marker, or even a brush and ink. Be bold and just write—it shouldn't make sense. Incorporate colors, doodles, and layers. Allow your journal to be messy, raw, and authentic.

Ask big questions: What did I love as a child? When do I feel most like myself? What have I abandoned that I miss deeply?

 

This is exactly why I'm diving into the 100-DaI'mroject—a daily creative challenge that reminds me to just show up and make. Some days, I love what I create; some days, I hate it; and other times, I fall behind and then catch up, only to fall behind again.

And guess what? None of that matters.

Because the point isn't perfection. The point is showing up for myself.

Stepping Into Something New

This year, I'm stepping even deeper into my creative calling. My business is evolving, and with it, I'm making a shift:

• Amy K. Murray will be the home of my art courses, creative coaching, and personal work—the heart of what I do.
• Sugarhill Art Studio will become my shop, where I'll sell curated art supplies, kits, downloads, and my artwork and offer free inspiration.

This shift is part of my journey in emerging. I am an artist, a teacher, and a guide for women ready to awaken their lost creative souls.

If you're feeling the pull—if you're hearing inside your whispers, "I miss that part of me—" I want to help you find her again.

In late April, I'll launch my beta course, Free Your Creative Soul, a four—week experience designed to help women get off the hamster wheel and back into creativity.

This won't be about just making. This will be about reclaiming who you are beneath the roles, the stress, and the expectations.

Spots will be limited to 20 women, so if you want to be first in line when enrollment opens, sign up for the waitlist here:  https://sugarhillartstudio.myflodesk.com/fycs

Your creative soul is waiting. Let's find her together!