Hey friend,
Have you ever stepped into a space that just felt different?
Like the air was lighter, your shoulders softened, and—without even meaning to—you just… came back to yourself?
For me, that space was a summer camp called Camp Wanakita when I was a kid.. that was the first time I truly felt that feeling.
It's unreal that this memory is from over 20 years ago in my life, but that speaks to how incredibly important it was that it still stands out so deeply.
I didn’t know how much I needed a space where I could be myself at the time.
Growing up, I often felt out of place with other kids.
I was sensitive, creative, a little quirky—and that wasn’t always easy to be. (pictured below: lil me, last day of grade 3)
At school, I shrunk myself. I stayed quiet. I tried to blend in, even though my soul wanted to shine. I was the kind of kid who was a teachers pet, and had one best friend at a time - aka my birthday parties had just one friend at them.. ! (cringey lol)
But something shifted the moment I arrived at camp...
I don’t know if it was the smell of pine needles or the sound of laughter bouncing off the cabins—but I felt safe.
Like I could just… be me.
(pictured above: me a few summers in to going to camp when I was a teen and yes - I made the peace sign in the back AND the shirt too!)
I made art and played games and belly-laughed in a way that felt like flying.
I felt seen—not for what I did...
but for who I was.
And that changed something (everything).
When I went back to school, I still had to navigate the same dynamics. But I carried this little spark of confidence and self-trust that I hadn’t felt before. Camp gave me an experience of being authentic. And once you’ve felt that—really felt it—you don’t forget.
It fades, of course. Life pulls us back into old systems.
But that’s the thing about systems—they train us to adapt, to act a certain way to stay safe, accepted, or successful.
Over time, it can get hard to tell the difference between who we are and who we’ve had to become.
That’s why we need experiences of renewal.
That’s why we need art.
That’s why we need spaces where we can take the masks off and try on truth.
Authenticity isn’t a fixed identity. It’s a vibration.
It’s something we tune into, moment by moment.
And when we create art—freely, playfully, honestly—we tune in faster.
We discover what feels like us.
We express what we didn’t have words for.
We transform our inner landscape—and in doing so, we transform our life.
Art helps us explore who we are becoming.
It lets us try on softness, boldness, weirdness, realness—without judgment.
It expands our sense of self. And slowly, it invites us back to our true frequency.
Because when you're living in your authenticity, your energy changes everything.
You’re more alive.
More grounded.
More radiant.
You stop dimming.
You start aligning.
And the world feels it.
(pictured above: in my 20's when I was a sea kayak guide in new zealand where the uniform was a rainbow tie dye shirt! Couldn't get more ME!)
This is what April is about here at Discover Art Therapy.
We’re calling it "Authenticity April"
There are many ways you can explore your authenticity through creativity and community this month:
In the free "Creative Spark" Tier of the @discoverarttherapy community:
-
(2) new self-paced therapeuic art projects are here!
- Self As Flower: At-your-own-pace Project
- Self As Garden: Daily self-paced check in
- The Daily Doodle Club is Continuing for another round with a perfectionism-free & very fun doodle prompt. No skill required!
In the 10$ "Explorer" Tier of the @discoverarttherapy community:
- Access all of the above AND
NEW: Blooming Into Self-Trust: 14 Day Journey
Plus access to the growing therapeutic art prompt library! (Over 50++)
- And you'll have access to all the past creative invitations such as:
14 days for self love
14 days to release perfectionism
& more to come!
In The Make Space Therapeutic Art Membership:
-
Weekly live zoom sessions (or replays to explore on your own time)
-
And space to reconnect with your true self through art, reflection, and presence
- Access to the "Visionary" Level of the @discoverarttherapy community which includes all of the above, access to the growing prompt library, and a private members chat
The Annual Membership Deal is over ....
But we are extending this amazing offer until April 15th at Midnight PT!
Now is your chance to join (originally $444 usd) for the lowest price it will be all year, most flexible membership, and highest value for only $333! (Save $111!)
UPCOMING EVENTS:
I am excited that there will be MANY new live workshops this month, some for just thereapists & helping professionals, and some for all of us to explore topics like grief, somatic art, boundaries, eco art therapy, clay for healing & more.
Keep your eyes peeled on instagarm at @discoverarttherapy and on your inbox for notifications of new events you'll be welcomed to join.
You don’t need to be “artistic.”
You don’t need to know what you’re doing.
You just need to be willing to listen inward.
Because you, being real and fully yourself, is one of the most powerful things this world needs.
PS - My 1-1 art therapy caseload is still full but if you've been hoping to join an art therapy group with me, The Make Space might be a good option to dip your toes into therapetic art making for self care!
Responses