Cait Byrnes is a Holistic Health Coach and artist from the Jersey Shore. Cait earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore in 2010, and served with the Community Arts Collaborative AmeriCorps program from 2010 to 2013. In 2014, she earned her Certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and received her Level 2 Reiki Certification. Cait has worked with several communities in Baltimore to create neighborhood events, parades, and youth programs, and has served as the Assistant Director for the Feminist Art Project - Baltimore Chapter.

Cait helps creatives struggling with fatigue, anxiety, and stress through a mixture of nutrition education, emotional wellness, and radical self-care. As an artist herself, she understands the unique challenges that creatives face, and knows that in order to do the important work that needs to be done in the world, we have to feel our best first.

Cait is also the creator of the Food For Thought - Food and Mood Journal, which is now available on Amazon.

Unlocking Creativity to Transform Your Life: An Interview with Holistic Health Coach Cait Burns

In this episode of the Mindful Productivity Podcast, Sarah Steckler interviews her friend and health coach, Cait Burns, about how embracing creativity can elevate our lives in profound ways. Cait, a health coach, artist, and advocate for holistic self-care, brings a unique perspective on blending art, wellness, and sustainable self-care practices.

Meet Cait Burns: Creativity, Healing, and Community

Cait's journey is rooted in her background in community-based art. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, served with AmeriCorps in Baltimore, and earned a certification in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Cait now focuses on helping creatives combat fatigue, anxiety, and stress through a holistic approach that integrates nutrition, emotional wellness, and radical self-care.

Her work with nonprofits in Baltimore helped Cait see how art could be a powerful tool for healing, connection, and social change. But during her time with AmeriCorps, she also experienced intense burnout and anxiety. Realizing the toll of constant service without proper self-care, Cait began prioritizing wellness, seeing how personal health is essential for sustainable creative work.

“We can’t keep giving and giving of ourselves until there’s nothing left, because then we all hit this point where we can no longer be of service.” – Cait Burns

Creativity as a Healing Tool

Sarah and Cait explore the ways creativity serves as a therapeutic practice. Cait explains that creativity is “like seeing a part of yourself outside of your body.” Whether it’s through art, writing, movement, or simply rearranging a space, expressing creativity can be both revealing and healing. This vulnerability, although uncomfortable, is where personal growth happens.

“Creativity is listening to your intuition. It’s tuning into your gut response to see what possibilities you can create. That’s when true problem-solving occurs.” – Cait Burns

Creativity can also mean stepping into who you are authentically. Sarah and Cait both believe that everyone possesses a creative side. Embracing this side can look different for each person, from visual art to innovative approaches to everyday tasks.

The Challenges of Embracing Creativity

Cait acknowledges the societal pressures that can keep us from honoring our creative sides. Many people worry that time spent being creative isn’t “productive” or valuable enough. This mindset overlooks the role creativity plays in problem-solving and self-expression. Cait reminds us that, whether it's cooking, dancing, or decorating, creativity is an essential, fulfilling part of life.

“Creativity is in everything—it’s in problem-solving, in finance, in every area of life. It’s just listening to your intuition and finding new solutions.” – Cait Burns

Creative Practices for Everyday Life

One of Cait’s favorite ways to stay creative is by creating an environment that reflects her inner self. She decorates her workspace with vibrant stickers, colors, and inspiring items, turning her surroundings into a space that feels energizing and comforting.

Sarah and Cait also emphasize the value of small creative rituals. Sarah uses colors and stickers in her planner to make it a source of joy rather than just a to-do list. Cait’s Food for Thought journal is another tool for bringing creativity into daily life. By tracking food, mood, and emotions, it helps users gain a better understanding of their habits, all within an accessible, creative format.

Practical Takeaways to Boost Your Creativity

Create a Calm Space: Decorate or arrange a space that helps you feel centered. Adding personal touches, such as photos, candles, or art, can be grounding and provide inspiration.
Incorporate Movement: Try intuitive movement, like yoga or stretching, without the need for structure or a specific goal. This form of body expression can be both freeing and energizing.
Shift Your Perspective on Self-Care: View self-care and creativity as equally essential to your well-being and productivity. Taking time to nourish yourself allows for a more sustainable approach to creativity.
Journaling and Reflection: Cait’s Food for Thought journal is a great way to add a mindful, creative touch to your day while tracking your emotional and physical wellness.

Whether you’re an artist or simply someone looking to add more meaning to your daily life, embracing creativity can be transformative. By listening to your intuition, expressing your unique vision, and making small creative adjustments, you can make life more fulfilling. As Cait reminds us, creativity is about tuning into yourself, finding what excites you, and allowing yourself to explore.

CAIT'S WEBSITE

Sarah Steckler
You're listening to episode twelve of the Mindful Productivity Podcast. And today, my amazing friend and health coach Cait Burns is joining us, and we're talking all about how embracing your creative side can up level your life.
Sarah Steckler
Welcome to the Mindful Productivity Podcast. I'm your host, Sarah Steckler, and this is the place to be to live a more mindful and productive life. If you're ready to turn daily chaos into calm and start your days with intentions, then get ready to join me as we dive deep into mindful living and personal productivity. It's time to connect with your true self so you can live the life you want to live. And it all starts now.
Sarah Steckler
Before we jump into today's episode, I want to really let you know a little bit about Cait's background because it really speaks volumes to the topics we are going to be talking about today. So Cait Burns is a Holistic health coach and artist, and she actually resides in the Jersey Shore, and she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore in 2010 and also served with the Community Arts Collaborative America Program from 2010 until 2013. Then in 2014, she earned her certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and received her Level Two Reiki certification.
Sarah Steckler
Not only that, but Cait has worked with several communities in Baltimore to create neighborhood events, parades and youth programs and has served as the assistant director for the Feminist Art Project of the Baltimore chapter. That alone in itself, is incredible. But Cait also helps creatives struggling with fatigue, anxiety and stress through a mixture of nutrition education, emotional wellness, and radical self care. And as an artist herself, she really understands the unique challenges that creatives face and knows that in order to do the important work that needs to be done in the world, we have to feel our best first, which I love.
Sarah Steckler
Cait is also the creator of the Amazing Food for Thought Food and Mood Journal, which I own and use regularly. And it's now available on Amazon. So make sure to go check that out.
Sarah Steckler
Cait, oh, my gosh. I'm so glad you're here. Thank you for joining me on the podcast today.
Cait Byrnes
Yes.
Sarah Steckler
Oh, my God.
Cait Byrnes
I'm so excited to be here.
Sarah Steckler
This is going to be a lot of fun. And so basically, we're here to talk about a lot of things. He's an amazing person. We've been collaborating for two years now. I don't even know.
Cait Byrnes
It has been two years, actually, which is crazy. Yeah.
Sarah Steckler
And we met in a Facebook group for entrepreneurs. I can't even remember which one. And I've just always been blown away by how authentic Cait is. And she just, like, owns her creativity. And so I wanted to invite her on the podcast today to kind of talk about that and to talk about creativity and how you can use it for all different kinds of things, kinds of help and management stuff in general. But, Cait, why don't you go ahead and kind of like, I guess let people know a little bit about you, a little bit about what you're passionate about.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. I'm a list of health and wellness coach, and I work mostly with creatives, and that's partially because my background is in art itself. I went to the Maryland Institute College of Art, so there was actually a short period of time there where you and I were really not far apart from each other, even though we've never met in real life, which is terrible to me. We just never cross path, like in the real world. But yes, I went to Micah, and I got really interested in community based art while I was there.
Cait Byrnes
And I'd always been really interested in the idea of community service and being of service in the world. And I'd always had this passion for art from the time I was younger. If you asked my family what I was going to be, if they asked me what I was going to be when I grew up, I was like, yeah, an artist. I'm going to be an artist. That's what it is. But I didn't really have a sense of what I was going to do with that.
Cait Byrnes
Right. And I remember feeling really lost, like, the first, I would say a year and a half of College because I was taking all these intro classes, like painting and drawing and ceramics and all these different things, which I loved. And I love the actual act of creating, like, the actual journey of creating something. But I was feeling a little bit like, what do I do with this? Right? What's the point if you will? Because I'd always sort of been interested in, like, how can I help people with what I'm doing?
Cait Byrnes
And I felt like there was a disconnect there. And I was just sort of struggling because I didn't really want to be just, like an artist that shows in a Gallery or that kind of thing. Right. So I came across community arts, and lucky for me, Michael is sort of like, the forerunner in community based art, and they have an amazing bunch of classes there. They actually now have a master's program there for community arts, which is really amazing. And one of the few, like, across the world, actually.
Cait Byrnes
And it's really just all about harnessing art making as a tool to build relationships and impact communities, because I think that creative work of any kind has, like, a huge capability to do those things. Right. So anyway, long story. No, I love it. So I got really interested in community based art, and I was serving with AmeriCorps for a couple of years after my undergraduate degree was finished. And it was a great program actually still run out of Micah. We replaced all different, like, arts nonprofits around Baltimore City, and it was really cool because it let me kind of use what I had learned firsthand and really get the experience.
Cait Byrnes
So I was using art as, like, a healing tool with groups of kids in sort of underprivileged neighborhood. And it was really awesome to see the way that you could use creativity is sort of a starting point for conversation. Right. And it was so eye opening for me in so many different ways. And during that time, though, I was feeling really super burnt out. And it was really interesting because I was watching my colleagues who are also in AmeriCorps serving at other nonprofits. And we also would start the service year feeling like, amazing and really motivated and excited about what we were doing and our meetings together would be like, yeah, I want to do this project and that project.
Cait Byrnes
And like, by the end of the year, all of our conversations were around. I'm feeling really burnt out. I feel really exhausted. I don't know if I can keep doing this. And it wasn't because of the actual work itself. It was sort of like there wasn't really a culture of self care. There was no sort of resources for balancing the workload. There was sort of this idea of, like, if you're going to be of service that you have to give so much of yourself. Right. And I remember just seeing a moment myself where I had, like, a total breakdown.
Cait Byrnes
Like, I had a panic attack that lasted for, like, over 24 hours. I had hit, like, a major depressive episode. I could barely go on and like, something's got to give here. Right. Like, we can't keep giving and giving and giving of ourselves until there's nothing left, because then we all hit this point where we can no longer be of service. Right. Like, we can't help anyone else if we are feeling like shit, right.
Sarah Steckler
Right. Where's the sustainable activism worth the sustainable, right. Creativity. All of that.
Cait Byrnes
Exactly. And I think that's the biggest thing, because what I've noticed in my work in community is like, so much of where growth happens is in that sustainability piece. So if you have staff members who have to quit after two years because they're just burnt out, what change can we actually make? Right. So it really was eye opening for me having my own breakdown and watching everyone else sort of have a breakdown at the same time. We're like, okay, something's going on here. Right. And that was the point where I really was like, all right.
Cait Byrnes
I have to make some changes for myself here. And I got really into practicing self care on a regular basis and also taking a look at my diet and just being open to experimenting with what felt good for me and what didn't and getting really in touch with what my body was telling me throughout that process.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah. That's a story. I know it's transformative. And I think so many people can relate to it like, there's so many pieces in there that you were sharing, even just like, I think too, no matter what kind of work you're doing, I think that we're just kind of in this phase now where there's so many things, there's so many pieces of technology that help us do more. But in that we kind of step into this mindset where it's like, hustle, hustle, hustle, go, go, go. We praise each other for, like, going nonstop.
Sarah Steckler
And then it's like we're all going to hit a burnout if we continue that. And so to really openly share your story about that. It's inspiring because I think we've all been there or maybe we're headed there and we don't realize it yet. But it's just like being aware of that. And you said something that I really wanted to touch on, too. It was like using creativity as, like a form of healing. Canva you talk more about that? Because I think that's fascinating.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. Absolutely. I think that for me what I've noticed. And I think that for, like, on an individual level, the act of creating anything is very therapeutic, because in a way, and if you've ever created anything in your life, it doesn't matter what it is. It could be creating a business. It could be creating, writing or music or, like, literally anything getting something out of your head and out into the world. It's a transformative practice. And I think it's not something we talk about enough, like, just sort of the energy that it takes, but also how healing that can be in that process alone.
Cait Byrnes
Right. So just creating something and seeing it outside of your body. It's a weird form of examining your own psyche. I'm about to get like, oh, no.
Sarah Steckler
I'm geeking out right now. I'm like, yeah. Let's talk about it.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. It sounds like kind of hooky, but it's like seeing a part of yourself outside of your body. Right. And then especially if you put it on display in any way, you're like, basically showing people a part of yourself.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah. It's so vulnerable. And I was going to say just kind of like taking the intangible and making it into a tangible thing that you can see sometimes feel. And it's really abstract. And I think a little bit off putting the first time you put something that's within you and you don't even know what you're going to really create, you don't really know what it's going to look like. And then when you see it or you speak it or whatever it is, it's like, what is this part of myself?
Sarah Steckler
And I think the more you do it, I think the stronger, more confident you become in that feeling. But I think it's a really raw moment when we really step the land or our creativity. And even though it's really empowering and fun and it can reduce our stress and all this stuff, it's also like, oh, my gosh. I'm showing the world this part of myself, and I'm not even familiar with it yet. Right.
Cait Byrnes
And that's the thing. I totally agree with you. I think the more you do it, it's like kind of flexing a muscle that you get more and more comfortable with it. But at the end of the day, what I've noticed for myself so many years later is that there's always a level of uncomfortableness with it, right? There's always a level of fear and there's always a level of, well, what if it doesn't turn out the way I want it to turn out? What if people don't like it?
Cait Byrnes
What if there's always this underlying, just sense of just nervousness around it? And I think that that's just again, another form of questioning myself, like, first of all, why do I care? But also why is this coming up for me? What am I actually afraid of here? And it's sort of like a form of self therapy in a way sometimes where it forces you to question a lot about yourself that you wouldn't normally get to do, right?
Sarah Steckler
Yeah. I totally feel that. And it's also kind of like it's stepping into your authentic self and really bringing that forward. And in a lot of ways, I feel like we're limited in how we feel. We can do that just by, like, you go through the motions of being a human and being in society and maybe having a nine to five or going to College or doing whatever it is. And it's like, how do I bring that creative side of me forward? And that's another thing, too.
Sarah Steckler
I wanted to talk about it just kind of living in that creative space on a day to day basis. Like, how does it look like? And I'd love to hear this from you, too. Just living day to day, like, bringing your creative side forward and really embodying that because when I look at you when I talk to you, I'm like, Cait is like a living, walking example of what it is to do art every day. And I just think it's really inspiring.
Cait Byrnes
I love that to do art like, it's really serious for me, right? Yeah. It's so interesting because for me, I've thought about this a lot because there's a part of me that's, like I've taken I went to art school, but I'm not necessarily creating art and putting it in a Gallery per se in that traditional sense. So it sort of feels like when people look at my resume, it's a little like, well, how did you get to where you are with that? But what I've noticed over and over is that the practice of creativity or making art in any way is just creative problem solving, right?
Cait Byrnes
It's like learning how to problem solve whatever is going on. And part of that, too, part of problem solving generally is learning how to tap into your own intuition. And so much of creating work of any kind is like, you are listening to yourself, right? Like, you're not listening to the other people around you. It's your tapping into your own, your gut response, your intuition to see what's the solution here. What's the possibility? What can I create here? Right. And I think that that's partially why it can be so uncomfortable in that space sometimes because it's hard to listen to your intuition because we've been talking that in or knowing so extensively instead of trusting it from the get go.
Cait Byrnes
And so for me, that's always I feel like creativity is just listening to your intuition.
Sarah Steckler
Oh, my gosh.
Sarah Steckler
I love that.
Sarah Steckler
That's such a huge, amazing quote. I want to put that everywhere. I think, too. It's also sometimes the first part of ourselves that we fully listen to because I think there's comfort in being told what to do and doing it, even though I don't think we all want to rebel, and we don't like people telling us what to do all the time. But there is comfort in that, I think. And so when we step into a creative space and we're like, oh my gosh. It's just me.
Sarah Steckler
It's just me and I can do whatever I want. It's kind of overwhelming, but also really freeing and liberating. And another thing, too, is I feel like I'd love to hear your thoughts on this, too, is like creativity is so multifaceted. Like you said, it's not just Gallery art. It's not just painting. It's not always performative, like, sometimes it's literally just being who you are. I think we can all think of, like, that one person in high school that just wore what she wanted to wear and did her makeup.
Sarah Steckler
And I remember there was someone in middle school in the 90s or whatever that wore, like, a dress over jeans. I was like, Whoa, that's so badass. She's like a trailblazer. And then everyone started doing it. But there's something to be said about living your creative life, like living in a way where you're, like, nobody's done this before, but I'm doing it now. I just think that's awesome. I've always really been inspired by people that do stuff like that little thing, right.
Cait Byrnes
Well, it's so important, and I think you really touched on that, too, that it's like, it's comforting to do things that we know are, like, people pleasing, right? Even if there's a rebellious streak in us, or even if we like, on the outside, there's a part of us that wants to rebel and be ourselves or whatever. There's a total comfort for so many of us and kind of staying inside the lines and, like, doing the things that we know are safe or that will make our parents happy or whatever it is.
Cait Byrnes
We're not always super conscious of that. So I think that's a big piece of it, too. Of like why the fear will often come up around creativity or art making of any kind.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah, for sure. And, you know, one thing I hear from a lot of people is, oh, Bella, that's really cool. But, like, I'm not creative or just something I'm really passionate about. And I totally relate to that because I think there's different phases in our life where we don't feel any one way. But it's amazing to just kind of like thinking about that limiting belief for that block and how. I mean, I personally believe that everyone is creative, just not in a one funneled kind of way.
Sarah Steckler
It's so diverse. And I think there's something to be said about finding that for yourself, like, whatever that may look like, and then you don't have to be the most creative person ever, either. But, like, really embracing that for yourself and kind of stepping into that.
Cait Byrnes
Right. Well, I think it's totally like recognizing where your creativity lies and whatever you feel drawn to. I feel like it doesn't matter if you're drawn to finance. There's creativity in finance. You know what I mean? I think people don't realize that just because it isn't, like, art of some kind, that it isn't creativity. But, again, creativity is just problem solving. It's just happening in your intuition. So even for me for a long time, I wasn't making any like, I am so sorry that those alerts were on.
Cait Byrnes
But, yeah, there was a part of me for a long time that didn't even make physical work in that way. I'd stopped making physical artwork in the way that I was during College, and my work was really focused on building community. Right. So for me, that was my creative practice at the time was like finding different ways to connect people who wouldn't otherwise interact, because I think that that's where a lot of healing can happen as well. So it's so like, what you make of it.
Cait Byrnes
And I completely agree. I hate when people are like, Well, I'm not an artist, and you're like, no, it's bullshit. Everyone is an artist.
Sarah Steckler
Totally. I think I shared this article with you. It's a study that was done about just how tapping into our creative side and doing creative stuff, finding an outlet is such a great way to not only reduce and manage stress, but also really tap into different areas of our brain. And really I feel like, too, when I do more like, right brain, like, kind of like, art stuff, I feel like it almost gives space to my left brain to do whatever it needs to do. And then when I come back to the logistical stuff I need to do, it's kind of like this renewed like, oh, okay.
Sarah Steckler
I took a break. And so I'm curious, what are some creative things that you do that maybe other people don't wouldn't necessarily identify as creative that you do kind of that helps you manage stress.
Cait Byrnes
I love this. Okay. Well, for me personally, some of the things that I've been getting into really lately is thinking a lot about magic and a lot about witchcraft and sort of the history of these things, but also, like the very healing aspects of them. So I've always been really interested in herbalism and speaking things into existence and the law of attraction and all these things. And there's something about that that feels creative to me as well. Just in even thinking about, like, I've been looking at the ways that even different.
Cait Byrnes
What's the word I'm looking for? Like, herbal remedies and things were made. And it's just fascinating to me because I'm like, somebody had to come up with this at one point. You know what I mean? Somebody had to think to take some stinging Nettles and create a tincture out of them and use them in a specific way. There's something so creative about that whole process to me that I just find so interesting and also, just like, figuring out of those things, like what's going to work best for me.
Cait Byrnes
So even like, Sarah, I know you're into crystals, too, looking at which ones make me feel different ways and arranging them in different aesthetically pleasing arrangements that feel good to me, even if it's totally just like, a weird placebo thing. It's like, well, this looks nice. And I like the way it makes me feel.
Sarah Steckler
Right. I mean, you could argue the same thing with interior design, right? Like, how space feels.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. No.
Sarah Steckler
Totally.
Cait Byrnes
And that's, like, totally creative, like, rearranging your space and that kind of thing. I also find that I've been sort of getting into movement more as a creative practice as well.
Sarah Steckler
Tell me about that.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. Well, I mean, it's definitely partially rooted in my I have some burlesque background that, you know, about where I was doing a lot of burlesque performance and taking a back seat currently. But I have done that for many years, and I totally love it because it's just so much fun creating the costumes and the choreography and deciding what the act is going to be about because especially in burlesquets, though it can be really out there and kind of crazy and, like, art for arts kind of thing, but also just thinking about the way that movement can be so creative and thinking about intuitive movement and how I'm trying to move away from getting into these very strict sort of habits around movement.
Cait Byrnes
I always used to feel like I have to go running this many times a week, and I have to go yoga this many days a week. And there are some days where I just kind of want to roll around on the floor.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah. I love that.
Cait Byrnes
Well, I think that's.
Sarah Steckler
Like, part of creativity, too, is, like taking the structure out of things. I know for me it depends on what I'm doing, but sometimes it helps for me to have a box or a structure, a container if you will, to know how to move within that. And that can kind of help me focus on a creative project. But then other times, when I create meditations or stuff like that, for example, I don't prep anything. I just literally hit record, and I close my eyes and I'm like, what is coming to me and who knows where the crap that's coming from?
Sarah Steckler
I don't know. Sometimes I'll make a meditation or a visualization exercise or something like that. And I'm like, wow, that was cool. Like, where did I get that? And so it's really just like, kind of I like that just how much structure do I want to have or doing away with it entirely for something? Sometimes I think that can really change things and be really transformative, just even within itself. Right.
Cait Byrnes
And I think it's also like knowing that everything in life is cyclical. You know what I mean? So there are definitely periods of my life where I'm like, oh, I need this structure right now. I need it. That's going to help me. But then other times, it's like, I need to let that aspect of it go. And more often than not for me, I need to let it go. I can be a little too structured sometimes. It's just like moving away from that and just seeing, like, what do I feel like today?
Cait Byrnes
And seriously, I feel like that's such a practice in creativity just there because so much of creating art is what do I want to make? What do I feel like I need to make right now? And that's often, like, when you hear people talk about their work, it's like I needed to make this right. It's not like I wanted to do this. It's like I needed to make this and my brain wouldn't let me rest until it was done.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah. And I talked about this. I can't remember. I think it was like episode two of the podcast. It's kind of like the difference between outcomes versus process. And I feel like with creativity, sometimes we get so stuck on the end result or how we want something to be that we actually limit ourselves or limit what the actual thing is going to become. And so there's something really amazing about just trusting in the process, like, if it feels good creating it and it feels good doing it this way, just keep going instead of worrying about when is the deadline or what is the outcome supposed to be?
Sarah Steckler
And I just love that. And I kind of like that, too, in terms of movement. It's also right. Like, instead of focusing on, like, Bella, I want this kind of body or I want to be this in shape or I want this or that it's more like I just love doing yoga or I just love whatever and really focusing on that instead.
Cait Byrnes
Right. Totally.
Sarah Steckler
I really like that. So what is like, one of the biggest challenges that you think that you face or that you think other people face when it comes to really giving themselves permission or space or time to kind of step into creativity.
Cait Byrnes
I think a big piece of it honestly is like trusting yourself and not caring what other people think about it. I think that there's still a huge sort of like, I wouldn't even call it a stigma, but just sort of this perception that you could be using that time for better things, quote, better things. Right. It's more important things. And I think that it's so interesting, like having that conversation because I feel like you could swap out the word creativity for self care, right. And the conversation that we have over and over it's like, well, I could be using this time for better things, and you're like, no, this is the better thing you should be doing.
Cait Byrnes
This is important. And I think that especially if you're interested in creativity more as a potential career. There's still like this idea of, like, well, this is not a smart move because you won't be able to get a job. This is not employable. This isn't like a marketable skill, right. Which is really I mean, it feels so silly to me now because that's actually like what people want right now or creative people because we got some problems in the world and creative know how to solve those problems, too.
Sarah Steckler
This is such an aside, but I have this really weird, deeply rooted fear of, like, robots and then taking over everything. But when I think about it, I'm like, what are we going to need in the future? We're going to need creatives because robots aren't going to be able to have this new. I mean, I hope not like this nuanced thinking. Right. And it's so funny because I'm serious and joking at the same time. But I'm always like, there's this new thing I heard on the radio the other day.
Sarah Steckler
It was like a Fitbit for your tooth or something like they call it on your tooth and it tracks everything. And I'm like, it's starting. But seriously, you think of things that are more automated now, even just like, self checkouts or this and that. And I feel like we're stepping into this time where even if you just look at millennials and how like, there's so much bigger demand for handcrafted goods or artisanal stuff or, like any of that. And I really feel like we're opening up this space where creatives are so needed.
Sarah Steckler
And I love how you said that they're so good at problem solving. I think that's really true. And I never really quite thought about creativity as like a way to problem solve. I love that.
Cait Byrnes
Right. I feel like when we had projects in art school, it was always like you had to get to a certain outcome. Maybe it wasn't a very specific outcome of what it was like, even let's say, like a painting project, right. Like, you have to create a painting. It has to be at least the size it has to exemplify A, B and C. But how you get there was totally up to you. And everyone would end up with a completely different project. And it was really again, like tapping into your own intuition and saying, how do I get from A to B in order to hit all these marks that I need to hit, right?
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. And when you think about it in that way, and we just literally did that over and over and over for four years and in all different mediums in all different ways with different time constraints. And it forces you to get kind of good at thinking outside of the typical way, especially because you realize really quick that you don't want to have a project like everyone else's, right? You're like, okay, this is the most obvious route. But what's an alternative to still get me there. You know what I mean?
Sarah Steckler
And I think too, of like, I know you and I both share this big passion to buy a camper and just like, no mad around. And I'm always still, like, every other week I'm talking to you and I'm like, I'm going to do it. I'm going to buy one. Well, not yet. Okay. But maybe now. And I think too, it's like finding there's this creativity now more and more and just like the lifestyle you're living and how you're able to choose to live your life. And it's really fun to see the different ways that people are breaking out with starting their own business or having these side projects or just being really passionate.
Sarah Steckler
It's amazing to see just like the youth in our country right now, just stepping forward and being like, no, we're going to create a platform about these things. We're going to talk about them. And it's really an amazing thing. And it's also this huge level of creativity for people to be able to take something and find this angle of it and find a way to bring it to people and make people understand and support people at the same time. I don't know if anything could be more creative than that.
Cait Byrnes
Right. That's exactly how I feel. And especially when you look at art history and you examine the role of the artist in the past, it's always been this sort of like, empowering sort of a place, right. There's a message in artwork, even if it's just art for Art's sake. There's a message there, too, of just like creating for the sake of creating. But I find it so interesting, especially in this very highly charged political climate that we're in right now where you'll hear people say, like, oh, you're an artist or you're an entertainer or whatever.
Cait Byrnes
You shouldn't be weighing in on politics.
Sarah Steckler
Right.
Cait Byrnes
And I'm like, the role of the artist has always been highly political if you study our history for a day, it was always rooted in politics. It doesn't seem like it now, but every mythical statue that was created or anything was usually a jab as someone else at the time, you wouldn't know it even the history of burlesque. The word like burlesque as a verb means to make fun of, like it was used as a way.
Sarah Steckler
I had no idea.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. So it was always very rooted in examining the world around us and kind of pointing out the shit that we need to pay closer attention to and examine. Why is this this way? And should it continue to be this way? And I think that it's so fascinating to me, like, using art in that way. But also, you totally hit the nail on the head when you said the act of, like, sort of portraying that message in any way, even just through words is so highly creative.
Cait Byrnes
Yeah.
Sarah Steckler
And we've looked at kind of like, the big picture part of creativity. I'd love to kind of, like, go the other direction for a minute and talk about just, like, micro daily ways to be creative. And I know for me, one thing that's been really helpful, even with my productivity and how organized I am is actually bringing creativity into my daily processes. So, like, I have a Journal that I have, like, my week at a glance, and I have all my daily to do tasks and stuff.
Sarah Steckler
But one thing that's actually helped me really stay with that is making it fun. And so I bring in colors, and I put, like, Lisa Frank stickers on pages. And then I want to look at my to do list where usually I'm like, no, I really love finding different ways to bring just creative organization into our lives. And one thing that you have created that's been really helpful for me is your food and mood Journal. And I'd love for you to talk about that, too. But it's like that's been a really fun way for me to track my food, my mood when I'm eating, how I'm feeling about it.
Sarah Steckler
But in a really fun, creative way. And I love that journals are taking off for that very reason.
Cait Byrnes
Oh, my God. Yeah. Well, I feel like that was one of the things that initially drew me to your work, Sarah. It was like, you're beautiful journals. And you had really been exploring sort of the healing power of journaling. And it came to me at a perfect time where I was starting to pick up journaling again after, like, just not wanting to touch it for the longest time. And it's so powerful in that way. And I totally agree. I love just Loading it up with stickers, and I do that all over my planner.
Cait Byrnes
Like, I'm looking at it now. There's a bunch of different crazy stickers and colors and Crystal balls and washi tape and craziness all over it but it is. It totally helps me to take a couple of minutes at the end of the week and plan for the week ahead, but also make it a little bit exciting in that moment.
Sarah Steckler
I love that. And I think too. It's like, what are just, like, different ways. I love how you talked about setting up Crystal grids or stuff like that, but just even creating a space in our homes or at work that feels more like us or that has that creative element I feel like can really boost our mood, can boost how productive or focused we can be. Like, I know for me if my desk feels good and I have a candle or I have it can be like a little elephant figurine.
Sarah Steckler
I found it Ross or something. Whatever it is, that kind of stuff really helps me just feel like, oh, there's a part of me that's in this space, and it makes me feel good. And then it's so simple. But for whatever reason, that really helps me get my work done.
Cait Byrnes
Oh, yeah, totally. I'm completely with you. And I feel like all the things that make you feel good are just going to help you to tap into that intuition. That is your creativity, right? For me, the way that I really foster my own creativity is creating a space of calm for myself because I can be a little, not hyperactive, but a little tense, a little anxious generally. That's just sort of my typical existence every day. So for me, it's about being really intentional with the space that I create physically but also mentally for myself.
Cait Byrnes
So even when I started off my day, I try to make it a point to have a little cup of tea and just breathe for a minute while I'm drinking that tea, even if it's just, like, two minutes. There's something really, really helpful for me in just like, starting off my day that way. And I think it helps me to tap into my own creativity when I do have to solve a problem, if it's at work or my business or whatever, I feel like it lets me get to that space so much easier than I would have otherwise if I started off feeling really frantic and kind of crazy.
Sarah Steckler
Yeah, I love that. And I love to just kind of like setting the mood, setting the tone for creativity. And I think that's like where self care plays a huge part, too, because if your job does require you to be creative or use that part of your brain all day, like you said before, it's like we can get up to phases of burnout and everything like that. And so when you're just really finding ways to help yourself, because I know for me if I try to do.
Cait Byrnes
Like, forced creative projects.
Sarah Steckler
It just doesn't happen. And then I get resentful. And then it shows. I think people can tell. So it's like, I love that you have kind of a little process for I'm going to do this. I'm going to make some tea, and that's what I'm going to do. And I think for me, too, that's also, like, really connecting with nature, like getting outside, like going without my phone. I'm always saying that because it's with me all the time. I want to make a place where it stays most of the day, but just really connecting with nature, really finding time to even just meditate or just sit in stillness with my dog and just chill for a minute like that.
Sarah Steckler
It's amazing how it doesn't even take hours and hours of something like that. It can even just take five minutes. And you can kind of like, be like, okay, I'm feeling grounded. I'm feeling good. Absolutely. Yeah.
Cait Byrnes
And I think we need to get to that grounded space because so much of what creativity is is just trusting yourself and knowing that whatever answer pops into your brain, that's probably the answer. But it's like allowing yourself to get to that place of trust. And when you're in that grounded state, when you're out of that fight or flight response and you're into that grounded place that's usually accessible via meditation or yoga or whatever or walk outside, it just lets you use that inner knowing that helps you to solve problems.
Sarah Steckler
I love that so much. We've covered so much on today's podcast. I feel like just in terms of what it is, what creativity looks like, how to set the space for it. And I just want to thank you so much for being on the podcast. And I also want to ask you, where can people find you? Where can they get some of your information and all that?
Cait Byrnes
Yeah. So you can find me at caitbyrnes.com. I spell it. C-A-I-T-B-Y-R-N-E-S. Com the Irish Way the Right way. I actually do have a little preview of my suit and mood Journal that Sarah mentioned. It's called Food for Thought. So if you want to check that out, I have a downloadable version that you can just print out week by week and use it as many times as you want. And that's at Keeper Inns. Com. Food forthought threeb.
Sarah Steckler
Perfect. Yeah. And we'll link all of that on the show notes as well. Thanks for listening, you guys. It's so fun. And Cait, thank you again for being here. This was such a fun episode to do. And as always, you guys, you can always find all of the show notes and all the information. Mindful Productivity Podcast podcast. And we will see you next week.