Creativity as a Release Valve, Not a Performance


Christen Hong Coaching

7/30/25

Hi friends,

This week, the theme of creative expression has been coming up again and again for me. You too?

In Human Design, creative energy is the life-force energy - the raison d'etre. It gives our lives meaning. And it can manifest in so many different ways.

Lately, I've been intentionally leaning into things that light me up. I've started noticing which creative endeavors bring me the most joy — even the simple ones. The act of creating just to create has been deeply satisfying.

That said, it isn't always easy to show up for your creativity. Maybe you've been conditioned to think it's not productive enough. Maybe you've suppressed it in favor of "more important" tasks. But creativity doesn't have to be a masterpiece or side hustle to be valid. It can simply be a release valve — a safe place to feel your feelings, or a doorway back to play.

If you're ready to invite more creativity into your life, here are a few themes to explore:

Reflection Prompts

  • What would I create if no one else ever saw it?
  • Where have I been judging or withholding my creative urges?
  • What’s something playful or silly I could do, just for fun?
  • What emotions or stories have been building inside me — and how might I give them a place to land?
✨ Astro Note
Astrologically, Thursday's Mercury Cazimi is a powerful time to plant seeds — especially mental or creative ones. Consider starting a fresh notes page in your phone or investing in some post-it notes to capture those lightning-bolt moments when inspiration strikes.

Book Recs
Here are a few of my favorite books on the creative process:

Affirmation: My creativity is sacred. I don’t need to justify it, monetize it, or perfect it — I simply need to let it flow.

Let me know how creativity is showing up for you these days.
Until next time...

xo,
Christen

Check out my Etsy Shop for self-reflection tools to support your journey 💫

Austin, TX
Unsubscribe · Preferences

Christen Hong Coaching

I help people align with their purpose and manage their energy, time, and tools to create clarity and impact. My weekly newsletter delivers fresh insights and prompts designed to spark “aha” moments in your everyday life.

Read more from Christen Hong Coaching

Christen Hong Coaching 9/24/25 Hi friends, I’ve noticed how my constant habit of tuning into my phone leaves me feeling overwhelmed. The news cycle is endless and often debilitating — to the point where lately I found myself struggling to do anything. I know that to show up effectively in the world, I have to take care of myself first. So this week I gave myself a break and made Sunday an internet-free day. I’ve taken internet breaks before and they always feel good — and yet, it’s still...

Christen Hong Coaching 09/17/25 Hi friends, Maybe it's the eclipse season stirring things up, but I've been noticing how often a tiny assumption can quietly snowball into a whole story I take as truth. This week I've been reflecting on projection and assumption, and how they shape the way I relate to what I think I know. Over the weekend I ran into a friend and recalled a story that we had discussed years ago. I said, "You told me your dad subscribed to Rare Fruits Magazine when you were a...

Christen Hong Coaching 9/10/25 Hi friends, I've been paying more attention to my thought patterns lately — especially the way they can shape my expectations without me even realizing it. This week I listened to a 3-part series with Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson based on their book You Can Create an Exceptional Life. In it, they spoke about the impact of your thoughts on how you experience the world. This, in conjunction with last week's reflection, had me noticing the little things I...