The Surprising Lesson I Learned This Year

+ Picking up creative projects I put aside as I built my Creatrix Company

Since I got back from Ireland in June,
my focus has shifted &
I’m ready to pick up creative projects
which I set aside because I couldn’t feel their energy
(or justify them as being essential for my work).

The Babette Jacket is one of them…

This post comes in 2 parts :

in the first, I’m giving you insight into why I put aside creative projects which thrill me (maybe you do this, too?); in the second part, I’m showing my progress on one of these—the Babette Jacket.

You’re welcome to scroll down to see the inspiring Rococo images first but I hope you’ll scroll back up get a better idea of the role this jacket is now playing in my Work, Craft & Life.

PART ONE -

You may be wondering why I put this exciting project on hold & frankly, I was, too.

Let’s back up a little.

It was mid-July last year when I sat down & took a close look at how I’d built my online mentoring business since 2017. I could feel a strange dissonance whenever I came to my work which I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

After some deep reflection & lots of journaling, I realized that I’d unconsciously used “outdated” blueprints which I’d carried over from my previous businesses—mostly to “save time & effort” but also because it felt more comfortable. The more truthful I was with myself, the more I saw how some aspects of my 2024 business felt a little (or a lot) “off”.

So, I rolled up my sleeves & set about redesigning my business (which I now call a “Company”), from the inside out.

All year, I focused intently on constructing my dream Creatrix Company. This included refining my Creatrix mentoring practice, drawing up the Creatrix Spiral Energy framework, laying out a step-by-step method which I take my clients through as they design & build their own unique “Fields of Mastery” and of course, dissolving many binding beliefs about business which I’d been unconsciously holding for decades.

It was right around the same time that the idea to make & wear the Babette Jacket in a professional photoshoot landed. Imagining how amazing it would be to immerse myself in such a complex & absorbing project, I excitedly started planning right away.

Then it happened…

Have you ever found yourself daydreaming
about doing something “creative”
but decided to be “disciplined” and
put it off until the “important” things were finished?
And, your list of serious things kept growing,
so you kept pushing the “fun” projects farther away?

Yes, me too!

My logical, business brain stepped up & told me that I had more valuable ways to spend my time than fiddling around with this jacket. That the hundred (or more) hours I was about to dedicate to this project would be better spent on “business” activities (like crafting more Instagram posts or sending promotional emails). My oh-so-practical brain said that this jacket didn’t “fit” into my business, after all, I’m not teaching people how to sew historic costumes!

And.

I listened.

I reluctantly closed my sketchbooks,
put my reference books away,
stopped looking for the perfect fabrics,
appeased myself with less demanding creative projects
& told myself I’d come back to it…
when I’d finished redesigning my business.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, right after my return from Ireland…

Something had changed in me.

A new awareness dawned.

I was ready to do things differently.

Like many of us, I’d been taught that I had to drag myself out of my comfort zone if I wanted to shake up my current daily experience. Partway through my business redesign process, I had decided that being uncomfortable isn’t the only way to catalyse growth (actually, the thought that one must suffer in order to change feels rather Spartan or Victorian when I think about it!).

Instead of forcing myself to ignore the messages I was sending myself, I chose to simply expand my concept of how I ran my Company to include more variety and fewer rules. It took my brain & nervous system quite a while to get on board with my upgraded “operating system”, but I’m glad that I kept reminding myself that this is my new normal.

Much of the “Work” work I did over the last 12 months was about weaving a flexible foundation for my Creatrix Company, which is now ready to evolve as I evolve. Now, as my interests & awarenesses shift (& they will), my company has enough space built in to accommodate these changes without making me think I have to tear everything apart & start from scratch every year.

.

The BIGGEST lesson I learned this year is …

when I confidently honour the energies coursing through my system

—everything flows.

This means that :

I trust the mysterious, illogical interlacements between my spiritual experiences.

I devote myself to my Craft knowing that everything I do is always perfect.

I create freely even when it feels like it’s just for me.

I act boldly when it’s time to publicly share my work with others.

Now…. on to Part Two!

PART TWO -

When I took “inventory” of my Creatrix Company a couple of weeks ago, I found that despite all of my diligent redesigning, there were still missing creative activities which I was longing to play with but I kept putting them off for one reason or another,
until one day…

something changed.

I suddenly picked up the Babette Jacket project up again, dug out the reference books & chose to work on it in my studio during “business hours” despite a few lingering whispers of concern from my “business brain”.

Finally, I was TRULY following my OWN energetic rhythm!

At first it felt like I was playing hooky, then an ease which I haven’t felt in ages settled into my system & within moments, I slipped into FLOW. My movements were natural, I instantly knew what do next & the sense of expansion was almost indescribable.

If I’d known that this simple act could change so much for me, I would have done it months ago. But, I also know enough to know that everything which has happened this last year is perfect…there’s no point trying to rush awareness!

It’s exciting to move deeper into this project.

I haven’t sewn complex clothes for almost two decades. I gave it up when my son was born & I found myself juggling a baby along with pins and scissors.

Revisiting my “roots” as a historic costume expert / demi-couture dressmaker is adding a new dimension to my Creatrix Company; one which I intuitively knew was missing. It’s making ripples throughout every aspect of my life—everything feels richer, more vibrant & rather delicious!

Behind-the-Scenes

When I’m engaged in a project like this, I always like to start with resources which I already have at hand—real, physical books!

There’s something about working with a limited “palette” which makes the early stages of a project go more quickly. Of course, I could ask the internet what I should make, but then is it really my project anymore?

Here are 3 of the books I chose (out of 100’s) from my personal library ~

- FASHION : Volume 1
- Patterns of Fashion : Book 1
- Dangerous Liaisons

Here’s a video I made last year to give you an idea of where I’m heading with this modern twist on a Rococo look. It was originally for Instagram, hence the square images & the call to follow me.

Can you tell that I'm fascinated by Madame de Pompadour, Versailles in the 18th century & the (in)famous movie, Dangerous Liaisons? 😉

I don’t know when this jacket will be ready but you can be sure, I’ll let you know when it is. I’ll also take you behind the scenes as I plan my photoshoot, too.

If you want to come along with me as I continue this project, go ahead & subscribe to this Substack (if you haven’t already, just scroll down…) as I’m focusing here much more than Instagram these days.

COMING SOON,

I’m making another video with progress pictures of the fabric patterns I’m designing as well as some construction shots as I draft & cut the pieces…

AND

I'll show you how I weave this complex creative project through my “Creatrix Company”.

Until next time…
I’ll be drafting & cutting patterns,
writing content for The Creatrix Spiral,
recording a new podcast episode
& of course,
I’ll be creating lightly…
I hope you will be, too!

Elizabeth 🧵

PS Interested to know how YOUR energy is currently flowing ?

Book a complimentary, private Creatrix Balance Review with me.
I’ll show you how to balance your Creatrix Modes to experience:

✨ Luxurious creative flow:
Create innovative work which resonates with your audience & clients.

✨ Abundant cash flow:
Confidently sell your visionary skills & creations.

✨ Expansive spiritual flow:
Access powerful insight & inspiration whenever you wish.

* All text, photos & thoughts are my own.