The Modern Creative Woman

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Join the excitement!Ready for lasting change and deeper meaning?Join the Live in Person Retreat!January 25San Franciscoregister here!If you find you are in a hurry, it is time to slow down so you can go fast! This episode tells you how it can be done.Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Ready for lasting change and deeper meaning? Join the Live in Person Retreat!January 25 San Francisco register here! "You can get excited about the future. The past won't mind." - Hillary Damiano  This episode is all about making the future a point of interest and excitement.  -bridging and bonding -a theme for your new year -10 ways to stay inspiredSupport the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Free New Year WebinarIn Person New Year Retreat"Ginger Rogers did everything that Fred Astaire did. She just did it backwards and in high heels." -  Ann Richards Because it's the beginning of the new year. I wanted to bring things back to basics and talk about present moment awareness. This is a concept that is explored in philosophies and religions and science. Of course, there are decades of research about making contact with the present moment gives us a better handle on our mental health, and making contact with the present moment requires a little bit of willingness and a little bit of knowledge. Present moment awareness is described, as being in the moment with kindness towards the self, as freedom, and the single moment as the place in which we can truly be alive. So get our of your mind and into your life as we practice making contact with the present moment!Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!“Self-care is how you take your power back.” -Layla Delia This episode is all about power, purpose, and how basic self care is necessary for a purposeful life. Art, meditation, being in nature, prayer, dance, and the ways that you feel in contact with yourself and your source can help your purpose so much. In fact, I think it's essential.  Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!“Each time a woman stands up for herself without knowing it, possibly without claiming it. She stands up for all women.” -Maya Angelou We have so many choices to make this time of year. Will we do the usual holiday traditions? Will we have a New Year's resolution? Will we feel good or guilty? Will we give? How much will we give? There is a lot that goes into choice. Today we talk about the neuroscience of choice and the brain mechanisms involved in dealing with complicated choices or simple choices. Tired of wishing, making resolutions and then giving up for next year? You are not alone - most people give up their resolutions by January 19th! This year you can learn to the tools to adjust your thinking, visualize the change you seek, and finally succeed!  Mark your planner for Artful Resolutions! Join me live in San Francisco, January 25 for the Modern Creative Woman Retreat!Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!What can you do to enjoy the holidays a little bit more? The answer is incredibly simple. It didn't say it was easy. I said it's a simple answer. This episode is all about making contact with the present moment so that you can be in a state of mind to create your response in a way that is authentic and genuine and in alignment with how you want to be and how you want to feel. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."-Sidney Harris Ask any art therapist about process or product and you will probably catch an ear full! This episode is all about how to enjoy the process of the holidays without the emphasis being on the product - the days you celebrate or the gifts you get. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!"If you think you're enlightened, Go spend a week with your family." This quote from Ram Dass is one of my favorite challenge questions this time of year, as we move into family and holiday seasons. 4 philosophies to feel good this holiday season!1. be here now 2. psychological flexibility3. beginner mind                Book: Zen Mind Beginner Mind by Shunryu Suzuki (1970)4. use your strategies Remember to grab your free gratitude journal!  Download it and give yourself the opportunity to take the 21 days challenge to think and orient your mind towards gratitude. There's an abundance of research in the literature pointing to gratitude as a way to feel better. And there are many, many health benefits mental and physical, emotional and social to practicing gratitude. I promise you will see things differently after 21 day gratitude practice. So if you download that workbook, let me know what you think. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!The United Nations recognizes the right to artistic experience as a fundamental cultural right, and it's in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They also acknowledge the importance of artistic expression for the human spirit to create democratic societies and vibrant cultures. Art and artistic expression is a fundamental human and cultural right. This starts off today's episode and we are talking all about ease and flow and using your fundamental human creative right to show who you are, express yourself and learn from yourself. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!"Breathing in I calm my body and mind. Breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment I know this is the only moment." This quote from Thich Nhat Hanh starts us off today as we talk about cultivating ease and how to navigate holiday time with family, where you might be struggling to have an aligned vision. I answer a listener question about choosing to spend time with family. You always have options! You don't have to see family! If you decide to go, I have some idea for navigating conversaitons.And we take a deep dive into how we can remove a layer of struggle by letting go of certain thoughts.Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!I'm recording this on election night in the United States, and I don't know yet who will be the winner. Friends in the US and around the world are feeling the stress of this election. We are talking today about anticipatory anxiety. It is a feeling where uncomfortable feelings increase because we are anticipating something happening that they don't really have that much control over. Obviously, we can vote, but there's not a lot of individual control over the outcome once you've cast your vote.  I want to help you manage that kind of anxiety and help you change your relationship to your thoughts. I have a saying that I've loved since the 80s, when this song came out: "Take it easy on yourself" by Andy Taylor. (Listen here). I sing this song in my head or out loud if I am feeling stressed and when I become aware that I am ruminating or worried. Let me know what you think!Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Ever have trouble relaxing? Yah, me too.It is time to let down your hair!Something is always born of excess. Great art was born of great terrors or great loneliness. Great inhibitions. Instabilities. And art always balances them. This quote from Anais Nin starts us off today as we're talking all about art, and we'll be looking at fairy tales, self-expression, personal style and metaphor as it relates to a certain aspect of letting your hair down and relaxing. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Feminist scholar, author, and activist, Bell Hooks gives us an incredible insight about women and agency. She says: "If any female feels she needs anything beyond herself to legitimate and validate her existence, she's already giving away her power to be self-defining. Giving away her agency." This quote starts off part two of our episode about healthy creative ambition. So if you have yet to listen to episode 74, go back and start there. This episode picks up where we left off. This episode covers agency its 4 Helpers. (I wrote this summary...no AI here!) You can follow these along with these four steps as you listen or use it for reference after you listen.)Each of these pillars serves us and is necessary.We naturally gravitate to one and probably need to work on one.Zero judgement about the areas where you are not engaging.1. Intentionality Make a proactive commitment to take action to change your life or your environment.You are not letting others around you force your actions – you are choosing to act and take control.2. ForethoughtForethought helps you to visualize the future and set goals for yourself.It allows you to motivate yourself and to guide your actions in anticipation of future events.3. Self-reactivenessYou have the ability to act on your plans and monitor your progress, plus make a course correction if you stray.Self-reactiveness means that once you have intention and a plan, you cannot sit back and wait for the results to appear but you must be deliberate in acting towards reaching your goals.4. Self-reflectionAllows you to think about and evaluate your motives, your values and your life goals.Self-reflection lets you address any conflicts in your motivations and choose to act in favor of one over the other.Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Creative ambition must include your intention to act creatively on your values. If you've struggled with taking action on your values, this episode is for you. Have you ever wondered what your purpose on earth is? You are not alone. Philosophers, educators, theologians have been talking about and pondering this question for a millennia, and women often struggle with this question as well, wondering if they're supposed to be something. Are they supposed to be a mother? Or are they supposed to be a partner? What does that look like for an individual woman when there's so much confusion and pressure and frankly, opinions by people who don't have an influence on our life. So sometimes we begin to believe in our vision and our purpose and society, or practicalities, or feels like finances or limitations on what's happening. And our obligations can come in and put a damper on our ambition to live our purpose. Now, there's certainly a lot of aspects of the world that can make it challenging. However, you can focus on one area in particular that can really help you kind of take care of some of these other barriers...your creative ambition!Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Creative Mindset includes a focus on creativity and innovation. It means exploring and examining your thoughts to see which ones you want to continue thinking and which ones are old, outdated, and weighing you down. Innovation is really focused on defusing from those old thoughts and choosing thoughts that serve you and get you where you want to go. It also means pushing your own boundaries. It's thinking outside of your usual thoughts and exploring new ways of doing things. It very much requires us to be around people who think differently than us, who have different ideas. It requires a real diversity in our experiences. We don't know what we don't know and pushing ourselves to learn, to be curious and know more about how other people think and act and what others value can be of great service to us. Sometimes we end up learning things that we don't want to do, and other times we learn new creative ways of thinking and being. A creative mindset is also process oriented and completely unique to you. Inspiring Questions from the Episode for you to make art or write about:1. What feelings, thoughts, or unmet needs do you think block you from movement towards self-actualization?2. How might you address these blockers to cultivate a more creative, fulfilled life?3. When do you feel you are operating at your highest creative potential? What conditions or supports help you reach this state?4. How does your creativity help you in becoming your "best self" or moving towards self-actualization?Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode! “You are not just born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow. To be of service to yourself and your community. To practice, to experiment. To create. To have space. To dream and to connect.” This quote from Trisha Hershey, author of Rest is Resistance, starts us off today as we learned about a soft reset and creativity being inspired from this process. Research articles are linked in the show notes and here is an easy to read summary about some of the research on closing your eyes from Dr. Younes-Henni.https://dr-younes-henni.medium.com/the-surprising-benefits-of-closing-your-eyes-6f2e2838ddb8Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!“Ambition is what dreams are made of. It's what makes us believe that we can be more, that we can be a better version of ourselves.” This quote comes from Maria Catherine Harvey. She's the founder and CEO of Smart Way to Start. She's an author and leader of the A Effect in Switzerland. This episode is all about ambition. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode! “I'm not as goal obsessed as I am process obsessed.” This quote from Lady Gaga starts us off today, as we think about the art and the science of how we can engage in process oriented strategies to feel better. This episode is a follow-up to episode 69...listen to that one first.Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!“Life is a process of becoming a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to select a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” This quote from Anais Nin starts us off today talking about psychological flexibility and creativity. The research shows that psychological flexibility is one of the most important qualities that we can embrace as we grow and become more and more of the person we want to be. This episode coves the art and the science of psychological flexibility.Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos

Ask me a question! Your question might be answered in a future episode!Art therapy really is so magical. I am blown away every time I create my own art and discover something new about myself. And even after almost 30 years of practicing as an art therapist, I am surprised and delighted every time my clients make art. This is my perspective on the beauty and the power of art therapy. And this episode is all about art therapy and why it is such a powerful tool for healing, growth and insight. Support the showWatch the Vibrant Vision Workshop! https://moderncreativewoman.com/webinar/Enjoy!Free Goodies and Subscribe to the monthly newsletterhttps://moderncreativewoman.com/subscribe-to-the-creative-woman/Join the Modern Creative Woman Community now!https://moderncreativewoman.comThe Paris Retreathttps://moderncreativewoman.com/treasure-hunt-in-paris/Connect with Dr. AmyInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/dramybackos/Websitehttps://moderncreativewoman.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Dramybackos/Pinteresthttps://www.pinterest.com/DrAmyBackos