Reclaim Your Creative Spirit: How Playful Exploration Fuels Healing and Growth

As heart-centered coaches, healers, and service providers, we’ve spent much of our lives in service to others. We’ve mastered the art of compassion, shown up for people in their most vulnerable moments, and found stability in professions that meet society’s expectations. Yet, there’s often a part of us longing for more—a part that whispers, What happened to the playful, creative soul I used to be?

This blog is a love letter to that part of you, inspired by my recent conversation with Rachel Dick on the Vibrant Visibility Podcast and the shared vision we have for the Playful Soul Retreat. In this post, I’ll share how reconnecting with creativity through somatic work and play can transform your business, your life, and your relationship with yourself.

The Case for Creativity in Healing and Business

Creativity often feels like a luxury in the hustle of building a heart-led business. But it’s not—it’s essential. Creativity isn’t just about painting or writing poetry. It’s about problem-solving, expressing your truth, and finding new ways to connect with others and yourself.

In my conversation with Rachel, she shared her journey from being a nurse—where creativity felt stifled—to becoming a somatic writing coach. Her story resonated deeply with me. As children, we live freely in our imaginations. We play, explore, and create without fear of judgment. As adults, societal expectations pull us away from that space, leaving us feeling disconnected, burned out, and stuck in routines that don’t honor our true selves.

When we tap back into our creative energy, we awaken parts of ourselves that have been dormant. We bring a sense of play, wonder, and alignment into our work, making it more fulfilling and impactful.

Somatics and the Creative Process: A Two-Way Street

One of the most profound things I’ve learned is how deeply creativity and somatic work are intertwined. Creativity thrives when we’re connected to our bodies. Likewise, creative expression can regulate our nervous system and heal stored trauma.

Here’s how the two complement each other:

1. Writing and Sensory Awareness

Rachel talked about slowing down and incorporating sensuous detail in storytelling: the smells, the textures, the colors that make a moment come alive. This practice mirrors somatic work, where we pause and tune into the physical sensations in our bodies. When we do this, we bring more depth and presence to our creative expression.

2. Somatic Check-Ins to Foster Creativity

A simple exercise like setting a timer for two minutes and writing every physical sensation you notice can break through creative blocks. This grounding technique connects your body to your story, helping your words flow more authentically.

3. Showing Up for Creativity

Rachel emphasized showing up consistently, even when inspiration feels absent. Somatics teaches us to sit with discomfort and trust that cycles of creativity will return, much like waves in the ocean.

Healing Through Play: Reclaiming Your Inner Child

In our conversation, Rachel and I reminisced about the joy of childhood—the uninhibited creativity, the make-believe worlds, and the freedom to just be. That energy is still inside of you, waiting to be rediscovered.

Here are a few ways to invite your inner child back into your life:

• Artist Dates: Inspired by The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, artist dates are solo adventures that spark inspiration and joy. Whether it’s wandering through a bookstore, exploring a new hobby like pottery, or even indulging in a cozy night with your favorite show and snack, the key is to prioritize fun and curiosity
• Sensory Play: Get your hands messy—paint, sculpt, bake, or garden. Let go of perfection and enjoy the process.
• Movement as Play: Dance like nobody’s watching, run like a kid chasing bubbles, or take up a new physical activity you’ve always been curious about. Movement connects us to joy.

Overcoming Creative Blocks

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, canvas, or screen, you know the frustration of a creative block. But these blocks aren’t the end—they’re part of the journey.

What Causes Creative Blocks?

1. Perfectionism: The fear of creating something “imperfect” can paralyze us.
2. Burnout: Exhaustion leaves little room for inspiration.
3. Disconnection: Feeling out of touch with your body or inner self limits creative flow.

How to Move Through Them

• Embrace Rituals: Morning Pages—a practice of stream-of-consciousness journaling—clear mental clutter and open you to inspiration.
• Change Your Environment: A walk in nature or a visit to a new space can unlock ideas.
• Somatic Practices: Deep breathing, yoga, or grounding exercises calm your nervous system, making space for creativity.

 
Remember, creativity is cyclical. Trust the process and keep showing up.

The Healing Power of Community and Retreated

Creativity thrives in community. Being around like-minded souls who value play, healing, and self-expression magnifies the experience. That’s why Rachel and I created the Playful Soul Retreat—to give you a space where you can recharge, reconnect, and rediscover the creative spirit within you.

This isn’t a retreat to check off another box on your to-do list. It’s a retreat to unplug from the hustle, nurture your inner child, and immerse yourself in an environment of joy and exploration.

What You’ll Experience at the Playful Soul Retreat:

• Somatic Practices: Gentle, grounding exercises to connect with your body.
• Creative Play: Opportunities to paint, sing, write, and explore your creative energy.
• Connection: A supportive, heart-centered community of women.
• Rejuvenation: Time by the water, movement, and soulful conversations to fill your cup.
• Fun: Karaoke, dancing, and activities that remind you of the joy of being alive.

Healing doesn’t have to be all shadow work and seriousness. Creativity doesn’t have to feel like a grind. By embracing play, you open yourself to a life of abundance, alignment, and connection.

If this resonates with you, I invite you to join us at the Playful Soul Retreat from May 15-18, 2025, in Bremerton, WA. Let’s create, heal, and grow together in a space that celebrates the beauty of your vibrant soul.

Click here to reserve your spot today. Spots are limited, and I can’t wait to see you there. Let’s play, heal, and embrace the creative magic within. 💛