A Life in Progress: Rebranding Middle Age Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui

If we shift our focus from creative product or outcome to creative process, then it’s easier to understand that we are all inherently creative. We can stop comparing, judging, or fighting our unique creative process and instead hone it. Or at least trust it, so that we’re able to use it to bring our vision or dreams to life.

Furthermore, I’d love us to release the idea that creativity is only about problem solving or attaining a precise end-goal (attachment to outcome). I see living creatively – or handcrafting a brave and beautiful life – as a process. A choice to honour the beauty and wisdom of every season. A process of learning to trust ourselves and become our most honest and healed/integrated selves. A journey that is above all about experiencing the world and life more than about producing or consuming.


In this episode I share:
A four stage process of creative breakthroughs and moments of insight.An example of how this operates in my life and why this was soooo affirming for me.Who might have a harder time trusting this process.How focusing on process over product or attachment to specific outcome lowers anxiety, increases joy, and helps us develop self-trust.Life visioning and taking the longer view - and thinking of our whole lives as a creative process.And I refer to 12 lies that keep us from a creative life.


In the episode blog post I link to a scientifically validated assessment that measures four types of skills that help people express their creativity - and share more nerdy science. :)
Thanks for being here with me - enjoy your summer!
krista xo

My guest Julie and I talk openly about many common midlife experiences including:
We speak about menopause, suicidal thoughts, and also how it can be hard in times of darkness to reach out for support.Empty nest can feel really hard and can include a lot of sadness or grief.Shifting from the story “I am flawed” to self-compassion and greater self-love.Many of us seek deeper connection but have a rejection wound. Yet deep connection requires being ourselves rather than masking.Walk toward what lights you up. Having a life vision can help us move toward what brings us joy.We need to learn to hear our inner voice and develop self-trust. Many of us get earnest about this in our 40s or autumn season of life.We talk about Julie's new guide "understanding autism in sensitive women." Get the autism guide here.

Julie Bjelland is an LMFT, a Licensed Psychotherapist, author, and founder of Sensitive Empowerment, specializing in high sensitivity and adult-diagnosed autism in women. Her passion is helping create a world where differences are embraced as strengths and celebrated. Learn more at JulieBjelland.com.


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Today's guests, Kathy Escobar and Phyllis Mathis, have been soul friends for almost two decades and are the hosts of the Soul + Practice podcast dedicated to raw conversations and real practices. Their work is centered on healthier human-ing and making it in this weird world. Phyllis did this as a therapist for many years and now is a life coach and author of The Subversive Soul: The Gentle Revolution Everyone Needs. And Kathy is a non-profit leader and community cultivator and author of several books, including Practicing: Changing Yourself to Change the World. More at kathyescobar.com and phyllismathis.com.
In our conversation we talk about play - how play is about motivation more than behaviour - and what that looks like for each of us as an Enneagram 2 (Kathy), 9 (Phyllis), and 1 (me). I invited each of them to take a short quiz to discover their "play personality"' which is based on the work of Dr. Stuart Brown. You can take the quiz here: Understanding your Play Style - LindsayBraman.com.

We also talk about what it means to each of us to "live on purpose" midlife and beyond. In the summer session of the Brave + Beautiful Community, members will be invited to explore their own sense of purpose, how to thrive and feel alive, and we'll do some dreaming/visioning for our lives. Learn more here: Join the Brave + Beautiful Community For Midlife Women | A Life In Progress


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Thanks for being here and listening. I appreciate you.
Grieving the Loss of a Parent: Episode 191: Grieving the Loss of A Parent with Krista O'Reilly-Davi-Digui — Julie Bjelland
Thriving Through and Beyond Grief as an HSP: Episode 180: Thriving Through and Beyond Grief as a Highly Sensitive Person — Julie Bjelland
See you next week,
Krista xo

I believe that there is wisdom and beauty to be mined in every season – even the hardest of them. Do you want to live fully present and scan for the wisdom and beauty already present in your life?
What are the simple everyday gifts of your life in this season? Savor them.What is your current growth edge? Look for one way each day or week to move forward in this area.What are you curious about right now? What stretches and excites you? Give yourself permission to follow your train of curiosity without holding tightly to outcome.What dreams or ideas are arising even if they feel impossible in the moment? Can you give yourself permission to name them or own them without judgment or needing to know how to bring them to life?

Letting go so we continue to grow requires a willingness to let go of what used to be to make space for what’s next. This includes letting go of the beauty of a past season and unfulfilled dreams or expectations. And in many cases it involves releasing unforgiveness or pain so that we are free to keep living fully and thriving in every season.


Furthermore, this process requires giving ourselves permission to quit, pivot, change course, and change our mind. And it usually involves a lot of truth-telling about the current state of our health, relationships, how we’re valuing ourselves, and more.


Sign up for the Reignite Your Creativity Workshop: Dream, Expand, Express Yourself: Reignite Your Creativity Workshop (alifeinprogress.ca)
Connect on Instagram: Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui | Joyful Living Educator (@a_life_in_progress) • Instagram photos and videos
Seasonal Mindfulness Journals: 52 Mondays: Seasonal Mindfulness Journals | A Life In Progress

In this episode I welcome my friend Betsy Huggins as a guest to the Rebranding Middle Age podcast. Betsy and I have been friends for years and we've collaborated on various projects including my Seasonal Mindfulness Journals.
Betsy is autistic and lives with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). Part of her experience is that she can struggle with sensory regulation. When her nervous system is overloaded she may experience facial tremors, a stammer, and/or tics.


One of my key takeaways from our conversation is how she's shifting her focus away from trying to find a 'fix' for her condition and instead learning how to find safety in her body/nervous system exactly as she is.


Betsy shares a story that she has needed to rewrite for herself. She shares openly about how difficult it can be as a neurodivergent human to own her value in a culture that celebrates constant productivity and performance. We also talk about how she expresses her creativity in this season of her life.


Connect with Betsy on Instagram: Betsy Huggins (@betsy.huggins) • Instagram photos and videos
Betsy on Substack: Tiny Giant | Betsy Huggins | Substack
Krista on Instagram: Krista O’Reilly-Davi-Digui | Joyful Living Educator (@a_life_in_progress) • Instagram photos and videos
Sign up for the Reignite Your Creativity Workshop: Dream, Expand, Express Yourself: Reignite Your Creativity Workshop (alifeinprogress.ca)