E21 Transcript
Welcome back to part 2 of this mini-series on owning your expertise and finding your place in the creative world. Last week, we explored how to step into your role as an expert—how to own what you already know and trust in your unique perspective. But today, we’re going to dive into something that many of us feel at some point in our journey: discontent—that feeling of frustration, doubt, or uncertainty that can creep in when we’re not quite where we want to be.
Here’s the thing: discontent isn’t something to avoid. It’s not a problem to solve or something that should be pushed away. Actually, that feeling of discomfort is something more powerful—it’s a compass. It’s telling you something important about where you need to grow, or maybe where you need to pivot, in your creative business. It’s a nudge from within, pushing you in the direction that will help you become the expert you’re meant to be.
So today, I’m going to show you how to embrace this discomfort and use it to your advantage. I’ll walk you through how to turn that frustration into something powerful—something that can help you own your expertise even more fully and move your creative business forward.
So, Why Discontent is a Sign, Not a Problem?
We all know discontent. It’s That feeling you can’t quite shake—the frustration, the unease, the sense that something isn’t quite right. It’s uncomfortable and unhappy! So many times, we try to push that feeling aside. We think, “Maybe it’s just me, maybe I’m not trying hard enough.” “Maybe I’m just too sensitive today. I need to get over myself. Stop whining and get back to work.”
But what if I told you that discontent is not a problem to solve—let me say that again. That discontent you’re feeling is not a problem to solve---
it’s actually a sign?
When you feel stuck or frustrated about your current path, it’s often an indication that your current path isn’t fully aligned with your deeper goals or passions, your values or the things you love. It’s a signal that something is amiss and needs to be adjusted. So instead of running from that feeling, I want you to lean into it.
In 2020, I experienced this discomfort. Everything that happened that year made me realize that life is short, time marches on, and I must be what I came here to be – no matter what. and if I didn’t start living the life I truly wanted, I was going to regret it. That discomfort was loud, and it was impossible to ignore. I had to dig deep and reconnect with what mattered to me: WHO I was, WHAT I liked and valued, HOW I think and work, and especially WHY this journey is important.
After much introspection, I realized that I am a creative soul, and nothing short of a creative life would satisfy me. I’m an artist, I love color, texture, and working with my hands. That year was a turning point, and while much of what I set out to do has come to life, this year – well that feeling is resurfacing. That feeling of discontent. But now, I know better. I’m smarter this time. I’m listening. And instead of running from the discomfort, I’m sitting with it—because I know there’s something behind it that I need to understand.
That’s the thing with discontent—it’s a guide. It’s telling you something. It’s asking you to revisit the parts of your journey that you might have lost sight of. It’s asking you to double check that plan, revisit those dreams, take a close look at how far you’ve come and are you still pointed in the right direction?
So, let me ask you: Are you feeling a smidge of discontent right now? If so, lean into that discomfort. Sit with it for a bit, and ask yourself what it’s telling you about where you need to grow or change. Is it an indication that your path needs to be realigned? Is it a sign that something in your creative business needs to shift? Or maybe it’s a signal that you’re ready to step into a new phase of your expertise.
So let’s talk about Using Discontent as a Compass for Growth
Here’s a big shift in thinking: that Discontent, that uncomfortable “why am I doing this” feeling, doesn’t need to be feared. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable tools for growth that you have in your creative toolbox. Discontent isn’t an obstacle to push through or a sign that something is wrong. It’s a compass—a signpost pointing you in the direction you need to go next. It’s telling you where you need to grow or what you might need to let go of in order to move forward.
Instead of seeing frustration as something to avoid, see it as an opportunity to dig around and possibly redefine your path. Lean into that discomfort. It’s often the very thing that guides you to new directions for your work—whether that means narrowing your focus, diving deeper into your creative passions, or recalibrating your business model.
Take it from me. I’ve experienced this firsthand. That discontent I felt back in 2020 about not being in the garment design business on the surface seemed fine at the time. But, as I continued, it became clear that what I was missing wasn’t just working in fashion—it was working creatively. I wasn’t tapped into my creative soul in the way that truly nourishes me.
That discontent made me realize that not being in any creative field at all wasn’t working for me. So, I started my art practice, doing mixed media and fabric-based art. This opened up new doors for me and allowed me to reconnect with my creative self. Since then, I’ve been able to sell several collections, reach new audiences, and teach more about fabric, design, and business. But even though I’ve made huge strides, there’s still a deep, nagging feeling of discomfort—because I’m still not fully tapping into the passion for creative design and historical fashion and fabric design that has always excited me. This is where the discontent is showing up again.
That uncomfortable feeling is a guide, telling me it’s time to shift a little bit. It’s pushing me to revisit the parts of my creative journey that have always called me. Maybe it’s time to narrow my niche further, and reconsider my offerings to focus on garment-making and creative design for those who, like me, are obsessed with artistic fabric manipulation, texture, and color. I love the idea of creating wearable art, where fabric and design go beyond utility and become a form of personal expression. But I wouldn’t know that as a creative business owner unless I sat down and listen to that voice.
I want you to think about your own journey for a minute: Where are you feeling discontent or frustration right now in your creative business? Could it be a sign that something is misaligned? Maybe you’re working on projects that don’t fully align with your true creative passion. Or maybe your business has expanded into areas that don’t excite you anymore. What’s the discontent trying to tell you?
Take a moment to reflect: Where do you feel that discomfort? And how can you use it as a guide to help you adjust your path just a tiny bit? Is it time to narrow your focus, recalibrate your business model, or go deeper into a part of your creative work that you’ve neglected? Lean into it—let it talk to you.
Which begs the next question:
what exactly do you do with that info when you get it?
How do we identify what’s out of alignment? What’s the discontent trying to show you about where you need to grow, or what you need to let go of? It’s not always easy to pinpoint. But, I can tell you from experience, it’s often the projects that no longer excite you or the services that have stopped bringing you joy. When you feel unmotivated or frustrated, it’s a sign that something isn’t matching up with your true creative vision or your business goals. It may have at one time, but you have grown and so have your dreams.
I’ve felt this shift myself recently. While I’ve loved helping creatives figure out how to earn some money, and exploring ways to become more efficient, I’ve also realized that there are areas of my creative business where I haven’t been fully embracing my true passions. For example, I’ve felt disconnected from the historical fashion and garment design that really excite me. I started realizing that while I’m deeply involved in business training and teaching, there are aspects of my creative self that are being underutilized—and that discontent is telling me it’s time to refocus.
I’m not here to announce an overhaul, but rather, to add to the mix. I plan on refining my content, such as revisiting my Creatively-U program, but with a renewed focus on helping others reconnect with their creative self through a more specific, niche lens . Patternmaking needs to come back in strong for those who truly want to design there own things. These areas are where I’ve felt the most excitement and fulfillment.
So, while I’m still very much focused on fabric arts and business, I’m also working on expanding the scope of what I offer and refining my message to make it more aligned with what excites me most—and what I believe will excite the right people and do the most good.
Now, I know it can feel overwhelming to make a shift, and the good news is you don’t have to take big leaps all at once. Start small. Maybe it’s a new project you’ve been putting off—like creating items that reflects your passions—or offering something new that introduces your updated focus.
For me, I’m planning to rework certain courses, add in new projects, and experiment with fresh content that aligns with where I’m feeling pulled. I’m also looking at how to build new connections with people who share my love for creative garment design, and historical fashion. These are small steps, but each one will build momentum as I get closer to the work that truly excites me.
Now it’s your turn: What’s your discontent telling you? What feels misaligned in your creative journey? Maybe you’re working on projects that don’t fully bring you joy, or your business offerings have expanded beyond what you originally envisioned. Take a moment to think about what needs to shift and realign.
I’ve said this before but, Start by setting small, manageable goals. Brainstorm a project outline that aligns with your passions, or consider introducing something new that taps into the areas of your business that you love most. These small steps will give you the momentum to keep growing, even when it feels uncomfortable.
So, what’s next for you? Remember, owning your expertise is a continuous journey—it’s about recognizing and embracing both the highs and lows. The discontent you might feel right now isn’t something to run from; it’s a clue that can help you step into your full creative potential. Today’s frustration could very well be the catalyst that drives you closer to becoming the expert you know you’re meant to be.
I want to encourage you to take a moment today and reflect on your own creative journey. Where are you feeling discontent in your work? What’s that feeling trying to tell you about areas that may need to shift or grow? And more importantly, what small action can you take today to start aligning more closely with your creative purpose—whether it’s in the designs you’re making, the products you’re creating, or the direction you want to head next? What do you need to do next to own your expertise and take your place in the creative world?
The next step is yours to take—lean into it, trust your instincts, and watch where it leads you.
