Living and Leading with Joy, Trust, and Creative Freedom with Heather Vickery (From Substack LIve)

You ever get that gut feeling to do something wild — the kind that makes zero sense on paper but just feels right?

That’s how this Substack Live with Heather Vickery started.

Heather’s a Joy Warrior: coach, retreat host, and professional permission-giver for anyone tired of living by other people’s rules. We talked about what it means to lead with joy, why curating your circle matters, and how trusting your gut can lead you places your brain never would’ve approved of.

It was a great conversation even with the tech hiccup in the middle.

Finding Clarity in Creative Spaces

We dove into the power of community and collaboration. Heather calls it the “collective mind” — drawing on the energy and ideas of others can spark some of your most innovative work.

But we did agreed that having too many ideas without a filter can be overwhelming. Boundaries aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential for clarity and focus.

Heather: “I take intentional pauses to reflect on what truly serves me.”

Me: And I realized that I do the same thing, but in a different way — sifting through inspiration, holding onto the ideas that really line up with my goals, and letting the rest fall away.

Try this: Notice one idea or opportunity you’ve been juggling. Which one actually lights you up? Which feels like busywork?

Bonus idea: Give yourself permission to drop the rest, even temporarily. Creativity isn’t a sprint.

Vulnerability, Leadership, and Showing Up

One thread that kept coming up was vulnerability and how stepping away from the need to always “lead” opens space for listening, growth, and deeper connection.

Heather and I talked about the energy shift that happens when you let go of perfection, or the pressure to have all the answers:

“Joy isn’t a reward at the end of the journey,” Heather reminded me. “It’s the fuel that gets you there.”

I shared my own experiences with creative retreats and live conversations — feeling energized, humbled, and reminded that showing up authentically often leads to the richest insights.

Try this: Reflect on one area where you feel pressured to perform or lead. How could leaning into vulnerability actually make the experience richer?

Bonus idea: Take a small action this week that’s just for the joy of it, without any expectation.

Embracing Uncertainty and Rule-Breaking

We also explored the “messy middle” — the uncertainty that comes with growth, creativity, and breaking rules that no longer serve you.

Whether it’s stepping into a new project, a retreat, or just saying yes to curiosity, Heather reminded me that growth often lives in that uncomfortable space.

“Just because you can do it all doesn’t mean you should do it all.”

Try this: Look at one area where you’re following a rule just because “that’s how it’s done.” What would happen if you rewrote it for yourself?

Bonus idea: Journal about what your ideal day, project, or connection would look like if you removed the pressure to perform.

Listen In

This Substack Live was full of gentle nudges:

• Joy is your compass.
• Connection is a creative practice.
• Boundaries and reflection are part of the process.
• Trusting your gut and embracing uncertainty can spark your best ideas.

So whether you’re navigating your own creative projects, curating your circle, or just figuring out how to live with more ease, Heather and I unpacked ideas that remind us to start with joy, trust the process, and lean into what energizes us.

Closing Reflection

What would shift if you let joy lead the way instead of waiting for it?

If that resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment, share a reflection, or just sit with the question for a moment.

If you want to explore how leading with joy and authenticity could shape your life or work, I’ve got a few spots open.

Book a free session and we can unpack what’s waiting on the other side of the “rules”.