How to Relieve Yourself of Creative Constipation

It won't be smooth, but it'll feel ah-mazing.

(AKA other moments of courage — big and small) 

• Leading my first ever The Artist’s Way group: This year, I challenged myself to lead a group through The Artist’s Way course. I was scared 1) no one would sign up 2) I’d be an awkward facilitator and 3) we’d lose steam over 3 months. But those 3 months ended up being pure ENERGY. Getting to witness 12 female artists from around the world break through each week gave me the courage and inspiration to finally break through myself.

• Showing up and persevering: To get in flow again, I needed to get this piece out. Even if it took me…a few months. I finally went from “I need to do this” to “OH MY GOD, I’M DOING IT.” And as I’ve learned time and time again, the fun starts once you decide to give fear the finger and chase the ideas that make your constipated heart sing.

• Posting again on Brazenface: I’ve missed you, Substack. It’s been way too long and I didn’t mean for this extensive hiatus to happen. I’ve been prioritizing other things, in part because I’ve been afraid to re-start. But as Anderson Cooper just reminded me:

  

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Tatiana Gallardo is a writer and illustrator that suffers from occasional creative constipation. Her most recent bout lasted a whopping eleven months. Was it painful? Yes. Uncomfortable? Yes. Overcome-able? Yes. Now back to regular creative release, she’s basking in relief.