Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Walker. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Discovering which voice to listen to within myself has been the ultimate challenge in keeping my creativity alive. For years, I convinced myself that I lacked creativity, confidence, and artistic talent, denying my true desires and essence. Yet, over time, I’ve learned that deep down, I possessed the potential to realize my dreams and become the person I am today.
My own mind proved to be my greatest obstacle. A relentless voice within me, louder than any GPS in my heart, constantly blocked my progress. It would shout through a mental megaphone: “Not now. You’re not ready. You must master XYZ before you can begin.” Even when I managed to create something, the voice inside bombarded me with self-critical judgments: “You’re not good enough.” I’d even dismiss compliments, thinking people were just being polite.
I believe many others face similar struggles in their quest for happiness, success, and authenticity. Too many of us battle against this intrusive voice, thinking, “If only I hadn’t wasted time, chosen a different path, or tried to be like someone else.” We believe it’s a voice of reason, but honestly, it’s a voice of fear masquerading as reason.
Through my internal struggle to shut down this intrusive voice and own my creativity, I’ve come to realize the power of embracing both analytical thinking and creative energy. This balance enables us to unlock the joy of authenticity, fostering problem-solving with creativity and structured thinking. By embracing our whole selves, we empower ourselves to lead more fulfilling lives, breaking free from self-imposed limitations to living the life we’ve dreamed of.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I experienced exponential growth when I decided to transition from teaching art in academia to going online with my art studio. It enabled me to grow, gain clarity and open parts of myself that had been suppressed or dormant since childhood.
When I was a kid, I always answer the question, “What do you be when you grow up?” with, “I want to be a Famous artist.” But my dad said, “Artists don’t make money, you need to get a trade.” The logical choice for him was an auto-body repair man, but we agreed on mechanical engineer.
I tried to be an engineer. I loved finding quick solutions to problems, but it felt like I was wearing a wet suit two sizes too small.
Transitioning from an engineer to a professional artist and now an online entrepreneur, I have found joy in teaching others to harness their creativity. I love making art, teaching art, and finding solutions to problems. The online entrepreneurial journey is filled with constant challenges, and it’s my best source of creativity! As I struggled to overcome my fears and create an online startup, I kept hearing other women experiencing similar fears and trials. This inspired me to create a course to simplify problems, create solutions, and strategize creatively to help other women achieve their goals and dreams.
I’ve encountered countless individuals unaware they’re being misguided by their voice, trapped in this cycle of self-doubt, and rejecting or unaware of the power of their creative energy. People often don’t realize that they are trapped in fear. Fear can manifest in subtle and pervasive ways, disguising itself as logical reasoning, perfectionism, or even a sense of comfort in familiar routines. Many people rationalize their avoidance of risks or new challenges, believing they are being realistic. However, underneath these justifications often lies a deep-seated fear that keeps them from achieving what they want.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Reflecting on my own journey, I realize I spent too many years yearning to be an artist while dismissing the tools within me at my disposal. I spent a lot of time and effort searching for answers outside of myself.
We spend so much time and energy trying to be loved, heard, recognized by others, searching for confidence and success, thinking if we just had the right thing, we could do anything. The sad thing is that we already have it al—the ability to be loved, heard, known, to achieve our hidden desires within ourselves.
I believe we live in a world of opposites, constantly thinking, “I can do this, but I can’t do that.” Ironically, the very thing we believe we can’t do is often what we most desire to achieve. This struggle often stems from denying parts of ourselves—either our analytical side or our creative side.
When you fully embrace both your analytical and creative sides, you unlock the joy of being your true self. By integrating these aspects and bridging the gap, you allow yourself to be complete and authentic, capable of solving problems with creativity and approaching or life and business with organized, structured thought. This balance enables you to experience a fuller, more satisfying life. Embracing, loving and trusting all parts of yourself allows you to break free from self-imposed limitations and discover the immense power within you.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
It was through my art that I found the dad I always wanted. I wish I could say it was easy being raised by my parents but sometimes life gets in the way. However, there were moments when he would stop and truly see me. I have an early memory of him pointing to a beautiful sunset and saying’ “Michelle, one day you’ll be able to paint that on canvas.” At six, I couldn’t imagine painting on a canvas tent.
He grudgingly accepted when I turned away from engineering to pursue art, often saying, “Michelle, you’ll always be an engineer.” And he was right in a way. My journey required both my analytical and artistic skills, which is what makes my ability to teach creativity to online business leaders so unique.
When we had to place him in memory care, I never knew what to expect each time I entered the unit. I brought my sketchbook and charcoal as a shield of strength. Each day, I would sketch him and record his words. Whenever I opened my sketchbook, no matter his mood, a sense of peace would wrap around us. My hand would capture his image and words, and he would quietly share stories about his childhood and life experiences. It was a frightening time, but my art brought us together, bridging the gap that life had created.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Miwalker55
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.walker.thecreativemind
Image Credits
Mark Walker
