Let the Verse Flow: Personal Growth Thru a Creative Lens

When can we say that we have enough, and can we turn off our craving for more to find satisfaction with ourselves and the state of our lives right in this moment? I’m exploring these questions, sparked by a Sylvia Plath quote on "enough-ness". I’ll touch on gratitude, reducing social comparison, mindfulness, and building community as powerful allies in the fight to be content in a world that seems to push us to mindlessly want more. We’ll explore why that next purchase or fantastic, magical goal might not mean as much as you think it will if you haven’t felt satisfied with what you already have. This isn’t an episode on giving up on your personal goals or dreams, but it is a reminder to find comfort, pleasure, and contentment with life in this moment; give up the 24/7 striving and find some balance to feel truly satisfied with your life right now. Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat. Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website: lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/] and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Twice per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies. Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe [https://app.soundstripe.com/]. Sylvia Plath quote: “Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.”  Songs in this episode: Wild Animal by Ghost Beatz; Slide by GEMM; Dust On The Desk by Sam Barsh; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters Related Episodes: Compare Less, Grateful More (#12) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/compare-less-grateful-more/] The Art of Belonging: Creating Space for Yourself (#43) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/the-art-of-belonging/] Guided Meditation to Cultivate Belonging (to Others & Yourself) (#44) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/guided-meditation-belonging/] Journal Prompts: 1. If you could only bring 5 things with you to a new home (excluding people), what would you bring? Reflect on the importance of these objects in your life. 2. Think of a favorite object and write about why it means so much to you. Express gratitude for those memories it holds. 3. What does it mean to you to have “enough”? Explore the ways your life right now is “enough.” Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/]

Reducing overthinking, rumination, and worry can be a beast to tackle, but consistently reorienting our minds and bodies through some creative practices can help increase awareness as we work to replace these thoughts with more inspired ones. I’m using a Khalil Gibran quote as a jumping-off point for a discussion on how to stop “choosing sorrows” through overthinking. I’m also introducing eight strategies across four modalities that will help reduce overthinking, worry, and rumination. Those four modalities are getting in touch with your body, getting involved in creative endeavors, connecting with nature, and writing to process emotions.  I’ve also created a free guide called the Art-lovers Creative Practice Guide to Stop Overthinking, Worry, and Rumination [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/art-lovers-creative-practice-guide-to-stop-overthinking/]. Get your free copy here [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/art-lovers-creative-practice-guide-to-stop-overthinking/]. Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat. Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website: lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/] and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Three times per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies. Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe [https://app.soundstripe.com/]. Khalil Gibran quote: "We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them." Songs in this episode: Cobblestone Stroll by Ghost Beatz; Slide by GEMM; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters Related Episodes: Reduce Overthinking with Stream-of-Consciousness Journal Writing (#36) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/reduce-overthinking-journal-writing/] Overcoming Overthinking with Journaling and Meditation(#23) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/overcoming-overthinking-journaling-meditation/] Affirmation Meditation: Overcome Overthinking & Worry (#24) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/affirmation-meditation-overcome-overthinking/] The Nature Connection: Finding Peace and Perspective (#28) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/natural-connection/] Journal Prompts: 1. Write about a peaceful setting that stimulates your senses; write in detail about the sights, smells, and touch sensations in this place. 2. Write about your feelings of gratitude toward your body as it helps you sustain life and do the things you enjoy. 3. When you catch yourself overthinking, write out the worst-case scenario you are considering and then 1 or 2 strategies/actions you can take if that worst-case scenario were to come true. Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/]

This guided meditation (with visualization) accompanies episode #43 on cultivating a sense of belonging (to others and yourself). To explore the ways in which you belong to others and then to yourself, I guide you through a visualization exercise where you imagine yourself talking to a partner about an object of significance to you. You’ll explore how these objects help define deeply-held beliefs, creative passions or values that you have and then find a way to claim those values and beliefs as uniquely meaningful to yourself. It’s in that meaning that you find your special way of seeing the world, belonging to your loved ones and finally growing your self-acceptance to belong to yourself. Join the Let the Verse Flow community over at https://www.lettheverseflow.com/ [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/] to find a ton of resources (podcast episodes, blog articles, and creative self-care tips and tools). Subscribe to the free companion newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape, which offers 3 essential, hand-curated creative self-care resources designed to put you back on your to-do list. Music:  Changing by Outside The Sky; sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe [https://www.soundstripe.com/?ref=lettheverseflow.com]. Related Episode: The Art of Belonging: Creating Space for Yourself (#43) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/the-art-of-belonging/] Note: Please listen to this guided meditation in a safe and comfortable environment, free from potential distractions. Find a quiet and secure space to fully engage with the meditation without interruption. This meditation strives to promote a positive mindset and encourage well-being. However, it is not a substitute for professional mental health advice and treatment. If you are facing mental health challenges, please seek the guidance of a qualified mental health professional for personalized support and care.

Self-acceptance is a prelude to belonging. It may not feel like a logical connection, but accepting yourself, flaws and all is the only way to stop the comparison and critical self-judgment that stands between you and your sense of belonging.  This week's podcast episode is about how feeling left out and like I didn't belong in certain situations pushed me to evaluate my sense of belonging. I explore two types of belonging – belonging to a group and belonging to yourself. The latter is fundamental to making peace with who you are and reaping the rewards of valuing your inner strength and capabilities.  Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat. Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website: lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/] and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Three times per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies. Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe [https://app.soundstripe.com/]. Poem: I Belong to Myself Songs in this episode: Magic Garden by Daniele Musto; Slide by GEMM; Darker Hue by Hale; My Time Lil Red Sky; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters LTVF Season Two  Music Playlist [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpg9iNAboAkcaxYT6MH8F8shx0xQvzsR&si=lcrVBde_bC13pR6q]: Check out the songs that inspire me, and connect with artists from many genres who add to our collective, human soundtrack. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/202106/how-journaling-can-help-you-sleep#:~:text=Key%20points,making%20a%20to%2Ddo%20list.Related Episodes: Affirmation Meditation for a Positive Morning Routine (#37) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/affirmation-meditation-positive-morning-routine/] Affirmation Meditation: Keep Your Dreams Alive ( #20) [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/affirmation-meditation-keep-your-dreams-alive/] Resources: Jill’s Insight Timer Guided Meditations [https://insig.ht/Y7rEDGwS8Nb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=content] Journal Prompts: 1. How does what others think of you affect your sense of self-worth?  2. What are two qualities that you like most about yourself?  3. How does recognizing these qualities help you feel a sense of self-belonging? Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/]

We can get so caught up in our personal growth goals, and our plans for the future, that we lose sight of the here and now. But the journey toward our future self is made in the present moment, and change takes time. As that time unfolds, our desires may evolve, morphing current goals into new ones. I'm taking you on my journey to be open to those changes and my attempts to stay present and mindful of life as it is right now.  In this episode, I offer four strategies for staying present in the moment. These strategies have helped me relieve the pressure of striving to achieve my personal goals and find ways to enjoy the journey toward them. I hope you will find them helpful, too. Welcome to my reflections from the bright side of the beat. Want to reengage with yourself and put creative self-care back on your to-do list? Head over to my website: lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/] and sign up for my free newsletter, the Me-Time Mixtape. Three times per month, I’ll send you 3 essential, hand-curated links/resources on creative self-care tips, tools, and strategies. Music: All music for my podcast is sourced and licensed for use via Soundstripe [https://app.soundstripe.com/]. Poem: A Wish to Be Certain Songs in this episode: Millions by PALA; Slide by GEMM; Industry Perspective by Tony Sopiano; Pyaar Kee Seemaen by Cast of Characters LTVF Season Two  Music Playlist [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOpg9iNAboAkcaxYT6MH8F8shx0xQvzsR&si=lcrVBde_bC13pR6q]: Check out the songs that inspire me, and connect with artists from many genres who add to our collective, human soundtrack. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/sleep-newzzz/202106/how-journaling-can-help-you-sleep#:~:text=Key%20points,making%20a%20to%2Ddo%20list.Related Episodes: Episode 14: Build a Personal Growth Practice (with Creative Self-Care) Resources: [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/personal-growth-creative-self-care/] Episode 34: The Power of Habits: A Poetic Exploration on Building Healthy Routines [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/the-power-of-habits-a-poetic-exploration/] Resources: Jill’s Insight Timer Guided Meditations [https://insig.ht/Y7rEDGwS8Nb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=content] Jill’s Insight Timer 3-Day Caregiver Stress Relief Course: Caregiver Refresh: Creative Breaks For Self-Care And Stress Relief [https://insig.ht/BWWMR8CS8Nb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=content] Loving-Kindness Meditation with Sharon Salzberg [https://www.mindful.org/loving-kindness-meditation-with-sharon-salzberg/] Meditation: A Practice of RAIN [https://www.tarabrach.com/meditation-practice-rain-2/] Journal Prompts: 1. How will you maintain a positive outlook when the journey toward your personal growth goals seems long and uncertain? Write about at least two practical tools like meditation or feeling gratitude. 2. What can you do, or who can you reach out to, when you need to regroup and start fresh after struggling with new goals or habits? 3. Write about one way you intend to bring more mindfulness into your daily self-care routines. Will you use meditation, yoga, walking in nature, journaling, art making, gardening? Prefer to read this episode? Read the complete episode in blog format here: https://www.lettheverseflow.com [https://www.lettheverseflow.com/]