Ep. 40 From Stuck to Inspired: How to Reclaim Your Creative Superpower at Midlife

Feeling stuck, uninspired, or just going through the motions? You're not alone. In Episode 40 of Insights From the Couch, we explore the one thing that can reignite your spark and change everything: your creativity—or as we like to call it, your life force.

Contrary to popular belief, creativity isn’t about being a painter, writer, or musician. It’s about engagement, presence, and feeling alive in your own skin. Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, an artist or an accountant, your creative energy is the key to living your fullest, most connected life.

What Is “Life Force” Anyway?

Life force is the energy that fuels vitality, purpose, and joy. You know it when you feel it—and you definitely know when it’s gone. If you’ve been doom-scrolling, stress-eating, binge-watching, or just coasting, chances are your life force has taken a backseat.

The good news? You can get it back.

5 Ways to Reignite Your Creative Spark

1. Redefine Creativity

You don’t need to be “talented” to be creative. Creativity is a way of being—a mindset of curiosity, openness, and engagement. Start by shifting your definition. Being creative might look like:

- Starting a conversation with a stranger

- Trying a new walking route

- Cooking without a recipe

- Rearranging a corner of your home

2. Embrace Stillness (and Boredom)

According to therapist Phil Stutz in Coming Alive, we avoid stillness with low-level dopamine fixes (scrolling, snacking, numbing). But sitting with discomfort is what allows deeper ideas and insights to emerge. Boredom isn’t the enemy—it’s the portal.

3. Engage With the World

Laura calls it the “paradox of engagement”: you don’t get energy until you give energy. Whether it’s talking to someone in a pool or showing up and staying at an event, engagement builds life force. Especially for introverts, pushing past the instinct to retreat can unlock new joy and connection.

4. Try These Two Practices From The Artist’s Way

Julia Cameron’s classic book offers two transformative tools:- Morning Pages: Write three pages of stream-of-consciousness every morning. No judgment, no editing. Just write.- Artist Dates: Take yourself on a weekly solo outing—an art museum, a garden walk, a thrift store. Be present, observe, and let your senses lead.

5. Let Go of Perfection

Perfectionism kills creativity. If you're afraid to look foolish, fail, or be mediocre, you’ll never take the risks required to come alive. Your job isn’t to be the best—it’s to show up, stay, and try.

Final Thoughts: Creativity Is Your Birthright

Whether you’re starting a book, building a business, or simply trying to reconnect with yourself, remember: you don’t have to earn creativity. You already have it. It's your natural state. Your life force.And when you tap into it? You radiate. You inspire. You come alive.

Resources Mentioned

- The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

- Write for Life by Julia Cameron

- The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

- Coming Alive by Phil Stutz

Need a little help getting started?

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