I know it sounds cliche, but I mean it when I say art saved my life — it stopped me from ruining it during my second midlife crisis. Yes, you read that right–second midlife crisis. This time around I gave myself a chance to sketch, write poetry, paint, even decoupage. Then gradually, and in a sneaky but beneficial sort of way… these expressive art activities put my nervous system at ease with what was going on in my life, it quieted my need to escape life, it activated my right brain and finally gave my overworked left brain an overdue break.

After experiencing these benefits firsthand, I knew I had to share this work with others. I recently completed my Art Therapy Practitioner certification and am excited to blend expressive art-making with guided meditation and visualization to support those in the thick of midlife transition — helping them find solace and a self-empowering way forward through creative self-expression.

Art didn’t “fix” my life — it helped me be really good with it. And in doing so, it helped me realize there was never anything I needed to run from.

And the only escape I really needed, was an escape with art.