Some of you might think this episode is not for you. “I’m not a creative person,” you might be saying to yourself. On the contrary, my friend. As Lauren reminds us in this episode, “there are so many ways you can be creative without owning paintbrushes.” In this episode, we talk with Lauren Hooper (podcast host of How She Creates) about how to make time for creativity while you’re living abroad. The world and all of its richness is at our fingertips and Lauren encourages us to experience something new and turn it into art. Every day is brand new. Carpe diem!

Show Notes

Connect with Alicia

Connect with Melissa

Connect with Lauren: Podcast | Blog | Instagram | Retreat

Questions discussed during this episode:

How did you end up overseas?

Can you tell us a little more about the business you started overseas?

Have you always being a creative soul?

What were some of the challenges to wanting to create more?

What were some steps you took to help you start creating?

Have you found that creating and being an artist has connected you to the outside culture?

Tell us more about about your linking your passion for art and your passion for social endeavors into one. How have your experiences overseas has led you down this path?

What are some tips you can give us on how to view our expat experience?

Mentioned in this episode:

How She Creates Episode 314: Create Community, Create Friendships with our very own Denise as a guest

365 Challenge — Do something creative every day, even if it’s only for 5 minutes.

Lauren’s Creative Retreats

The One Word at a Time Language Planner (COMING IN NOVEMBER!) — if you aren’t already, be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter where we’ll give a special discount when it’s released. In October’s newsletter, we gave more details about the language planner. Click here to read it and be sure to click that subscribe button at the top of the email if you’re not already receiving our monthly newsletters in your inbox.

Noteworthy Quotes:

“Anytime you move overseas, you deal with this blockage in your mind when you think, “I’m not at home. I can’t go to my local craft store. I’m not in my normal space — so how am I going to do this thing and make it work?”

“I’ve learned I can do a lot more with a lot less.”

“You have to have those outlets that are good for you.”

“Where we live is so rich with inspiration. You should be able to find so many new things that are delighting your senses wherever you’re living. You can turn that into art.”

“Every day for a year I created something and that year really changed a lot of things for me.”

“Creating has been an amazing connection maker for me here. It has linked me with me a lot of people I wouldn’t have thought to be friends with.”

“Every single day that we leave our house is an adventure. You never know where you’re going to end up, or what’s going to happen, or what’s going to go wrong, or what cool thing you’re going to find. Every day is brand new.”

“I want to give other people the opportunity to travel and experience something new, use that experience, and turn it into art.”

“Gratitude is the best way to turn around a difficult situation and a simple way to look for creative opportunities wherever you are.”

“There are so many ways you can be creative without having to own paintbrushes.”

Related previous episodes:

Episode 17: Tending to Your Heart and Soul While Living Abroad with Danielle Wheeler

Episode 09: Making Time for New Adventures with Sara Beth

Episode 01: Doing the Never-Ever Things with Lauren Pinkston

Related articles:
Beating Back Cultural Stress with Exploration

Remember the Little Things Through Photography

Show credits: 

Hosted by Denise James and Alicia Boyce // produced and edited by Melissa Faraday // content managed by Alicia Boyce.

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