#161 Addressing shame with creativity: dancing with your inner critic with artist Steve Chapman

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In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Chapman, an artist and coach, to talk about working creatively with your inner critic. We talk about understanding this inner voice as a misguided protector rather than an enemy and explore creative approaches like drawing or dancing with your critic to better engage with it. However sceptical you may be about it, listen to us talk about finding compassion for that voice in your head and how art can be a therapeutic ally in your journey. Even if, like me, you cannot draw!

• Steve Chapman: artist, writer, speaker, coach, with a background in Gestalt psychology, improv theatre, coaching, and art therapy.
• Discussion on creativity, imperfection, being stuck, shame, and the inner critic.
• Struggles with a harsh inner critic for years.
• Perspective shift influenced by the song "Hi Ren"
• Insights on the Inner Critic
• Inner critics act as misguided protectors from early childhood.
• An approach to understand inner critics rather than fight them.
• Creative Approach to the Inner Critic
• Drawing or creative engagement to externalise and personify the inner critic.
• Small creative experiments to better understand the inner critic.
• The therapeutic nature of experimenting with art.
• Inner Critic & Self-Compassion
• Developing a compassionate relationship with the inner critic.
• Thich Nhat Hanh on nurturing inner energy.
• Dealing with worry through acceptance and self-compassion.
• Art as a method to engage with emotions and inner critic
• Resonates with others and serves as a therapeutic tool.
• Shame & Vulnerability
• Shame thrives in secrecy; exposing it diminishes its power.
• Importance of bringing shame to light as discussed by Brene Brown.
• Comfort and Discomfort
• Finding a balance between comfort and distress.
• Advocates for taking small steps toward addressing discomfort.
• Discussing mental health openly demonstrates personal growth and reduced stigma.
• Working with different materials for creative exploration.
• Workshops begin without set goals to allow creativity to flourish.
• Dealing with Inner Critics
• Awareness of inner critics as part of being human and lifelong process.
• Engaging with the inner critic in a playful rather than adversarial way.
• Therapeutic Work and Community Support
• Value of in-depth therapeutic work and community support in managing inner critique.
• Artistic Abilities and Perceptions
• Societal pressures influence perception of artistic ability.
• Chapman aims to inspire and counter feelings of inadequacy.
• Role of Continuous Exploration in Art
• Art viewed as an ongoing process rather than a definitive product.
• Tuning into emotions and body sensations beyond verbal communication.