The Power of Creative Expression: Healing & Transformation with Sam Horton EP#125

The Power of Creative Expression: Healing & Transformation with Sam Horton

Have you ever felt stuck in your emotions or struggled to find a way to express yourself? In this episode of The Happier You, we explore the transformative power of creative expression with special guest Sam Horton. Sam shares her journey of using creativity as a tool for healing and personal growth, showing us how tapping into our artistic side—whether through writing, painting, music, or movement—can be a powerful way to process emotions and cultivate happiness.

We discuss:
✨ How creative expression helps us navigate life's challenges
✨ The connection between art and emotional well-being
✨ Practical ways to embrace creativity, even if you don’t consider yourself “artistic”
✨ Sam’s personal experiences with creativity as a form of self-discovery

If you’ve ever wanted to bring more joy, self-awareness, and healing into your life, this episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and get inspired to unlock your creativity!

🔗 Links & Resources:
https://samhorton.co

https://instagram.com/samhortonstudio

https://thehappieryou.net/

💛 Let’s keep the conversation going! Share your thoughts with me  at https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehappieryou

Transcript

 The Power of Creative Expression: Healing & Transformation with Sam Horton

Bona Normandeau: Welcome to the happier you podcast. I'm your host, Bonna Normandeau. The happier you is about encouraging each of us to connect with our unique self and figure out what our personal happiness looks like and build more of it into our daily lives. It's not what others think are happy should look like.

It's about figuring out what really fills up our cup and brings us joy. Each episode is about exposing you to new ideas, perspectives, and tools to help you build more happy moments in your day to day life. Join me and start living your best life. Today,

I have a very special guest joining us all the way from the Sunshine Coast in Australia. How exciting is that? Sam Horton is an artist, a creative mentor, empowerment coach, and spiritual guide. Her personal journey has led her to support women in transforming their pain into power, evolving into their most beautiful and authentic selves using transformative spiritual and creative tools.

So Sam, welcome to the happier you podcast. Thank you. I'm so happy to be here. So Sam and I first connected through her podcast and I was immediately drawn to her focus on using creativity to help people. Creativity has been a very powerful tool for me in my happiness journey, but I know that I've only really scratched the surface of its potential to create positive change in my life.

That's why I'm very thrilled to have you here today, Sam, because I think when you share your experiences and your insights, I'm really. interested in hearing how you yourself used creativity in your life, but also how you use it to help others. So I think I just want to start off by asking you to just share a little bit about your journey and what brought you to this point on your life journey.

Sam Horton: Okay. I've always been creative, like I've always identified with creative, but it was something that I really ignored for a really long time. I pushed it to the side and I didn't really value it and it wasn't a priority. I actually worked in business and finance. I originally trained as an accountant for 20 years.

So I was in a very non creative field for a really long time. And what happened Part way through that career was I got this what I call a creative calling. And I think I knew it was a creative calling because I already identified as creative. And it was this calling to really connect with that creative side of myself and to make things with my hands and to activate that part and I ignored it, I obviously, these whispers come to us, don't they?

And they take a while to take root. But eventually I leaned into it more and. That journey coincided with some really big life challenges for me and they, my creativity really supported me as I moved through those challenges. And it really empowered me to come out the other side, a much better person.

So that's it in a nutshell. 

Bona Normandeau: And then you took this sort of success story for yourself and started helping other people. So how did you get from the accountant to to now an empowerment coach? 

Sam Horton: Sure. I really just followed the breadcrumbs. What I thought I wanted to do was actually Become an artist.

So I had some things that happened in my professional career that that kind of forced me into a bit of a crossroads. And I thought now's it, I've finished that job. I've, I'm unemployed. I'm going to do the artist route and I'm going to sell my paintings and I'm going to have a fabulous time.

But what I learned when I started that journey was that it was actually. the process that really called to me much more than making beautiful paintings for people to buy. And I felt like I was, it's quite cliche, right? I felt like I was selling my, my, myself out by focusing on monetizing my creativity.

Yeah. So that kind of led me to start looking at ways that I could teach. what I knew about art making and creativity, and then slowly but surely it emerged into this, blending of spiritual and creative tools that I use today to support women through their own challenges and their own struggles and their own journey.

Because, it's basically a mirror for my story. My creative journey that I went on, I believe was part of a tapping into my higher self, my higher wisdom and a real spiritual experience and spiritual awakening. So all of that is embodied in what I do today. And it's just, been a really organic breadcrumb journey, very slow and authentic.

Bona Normandeau: It's funny because I remember when you and I were talking on your podcast and creativity is new to me. So I love that you already identified as creative because I absolutely did not. And I still think it's something that I struggle with. I don't identify myself as creative, but I definitely enjoy certain forms of creativity.

So I'm intrigued by how do you so the people that you attract to help, do they identify as creative or are they more like me and they just, they're lost and can learn the power of creativity? 

Sam Horton: Yeah, I think there's two types of people really. And we're great examples of both of those, two types.

So the first type is someone who does identify as creative, has all the creative supplies in the cupboard and they're sitting there collecting dust and they're not really prioritizing that side of themselves. Which is obviously my story. And then yes, there's. The other person who hasn't really given themselves permission to be creative at all in their adult life.

And, they may not have picked up a paintbrush or crayons or whatever since they were a kid. So two very different people. And I think people are either attracted to my work either through my story or through the fact that I do use the creative tools. So it's really a blend of both of those things.

Creativity is part of the work that I do, but it's a very powerful part and you've got to be up for it and open to it to work with me. I hope that explains that. 

Bona Normandeau: No, it does actually. Cause like I was just thinking, had I met you four years ago, I might not have been ready for you.

But. For my personal journey, I realized the power of it, even though sometimes going into a creative zone is uncomfortable for me because I want those beautiful paintings that you talk about. Those do not come out of me naturally, right? And it's realizing that, and I think you nailed it when you said it's actually part of, it's the process of being creative and it's not about what gets created.

Would you agree? 

Sam Horton: Yeah, definitely. Process has all the benefits, I believe. There is obviously, for me as someone who identifies as an artist, there is definitely an attachment to the outcome of certain creative endeavors, because, if you are, trying to create a collection of paintings, you've got to care about what they look like, but that's not where I started, that's not what I'm supporting other people with either. It's really about tapping into the process and using that to connect with yourself. That's the primary point of all of this, I think the fact that you might be able to eventually create beautiful paintings is a by product and on my own journey, in terms of I, I paint, that's what I love to do.

But when I first started that journey, it was again, following the breadcrumbs. So it started off with leaning into sewing. I got really obsessed with sewing. And then I started to think I'm sewing with these beautiful fabrics, but there's someone else's design on them. Maybe I could. design fabric. And then, I started drawing.

So I went on this big drawing journey. I actually picked up a book called Draw Every Day, Every Way by Jennifer Orkin Lewis which is a fabulous book if anyone's interested in going on a drawing journey. Yeah, I immersed myself in that. And it basically, it's 365 prompt drawing prompts and you do a different.

Material in each month, across the year. So it might be pencils or paints or whatever, but yeah, that really opened me up and led me to the painting. And when I started my paintings weren't great, it's not like you start knowing how to do it as a, professional, there's always, you're always a beginner at everything you do, and I think people forget that, they think they've got to be good straight away. 

Bona Normandeau: Yeah, I think that's so true, is we all, I know for me, I want to, I enjoy painting but sometimes I don't enjoy painting because it's, there's this, Barrier to entry for me, but it's going back to and realizing that I don't have to be good at it.

I can just do it and enjoy it. And I don't have to display my artwork. There are people who do. I've been to friends houses who are talented and it's very fun seeing what they've created. But when I learned to create for myself, that was powerful. It wasn't really about anyone else. It was for me.

So when you use creativity in your coaching practice, what, like you said, it's more about the journey. So can you tell us a little bit more about what is learned on that journey or what process you take people through? 

Sam Horton: Sure. So I guess, like I, I touched on before the whole point of using creativity as a tool, to empower yourself and to heal and to move through challenges, the whole point of it is because it is an amazing tool to facilitate in a connection.

So that's the kind of. point of doing it. If it was as simple as opening a box of paints or, or crayons or whatever you want to use, everyone would be doing it right. And I think that we don't we've got this kind of attachment to the concept of an artist and you're either good from the beginning or you're not.

And I don't believe that's true. I think that it's like a muscle. The more you do it, the better you'll become at it. And if you. If you're really into it and you get really curious about it and it's something that really lights you up, then you will become excellent at it. If you put enough hours in, like it's just, it's a fact.

So what I do is I basically support women to understand how they can use creativity to really facilitate that inner connection with themselves. And I take them through a five step process specifically around creativity. So it's important to obviously You know, be present and to ground yourself before you jump into a creative project, because if we're stuck in our heads, it's going to be very difficult to lean into, the gentle flow of creativity.

Then the next sort of step is setting intentions, being, I use themes, to open up that inner inquiry and to start to open yourself up to. A topic, for example, like maybe it's gratitude. I know that's a big thing for you. So really opening yourself up and using creative writing maybe as part of that intention setting process.

And then you're moving into a play zone. So play is. a really important part of using creativity to, to open yourself up to that, inner world and to really connect within. And that's as simple as, giving yourself permission to just play with the materials that you're using and just to, I don't know, scribble if you want to, just to feel them and engage with them and see what happens when you do certain things with them.

So that's a really important part of it. And there's a huge piece in there about releasing any attachment to what you're going to make, and the outcome of the artwork. And then you once you've done all of that work, you can then lean into expression and start to open yourself up to, I'm going to, I'm going to create something now.

I'm going to, something specific that you're, you're leaning into. And that piece can be very freeing because you've set yourself up. you're then able to allow your inside world to, spill out onto the blank page. And only you can make what you're making, right? So it's a really powerful thing.

And what will often happen as part of that process is, you'll be able to quiet the outside noise, really hear yourself. You'll start to feel less stressed and, like it will reset your nervous system. And what will actually happen, the deeper you go into it is you'll start to tap into layers of your subconscious and your intuition, and they'll just naturally bubble up to the surface.

It's your soul speaking to you, which is so powerful. And then once you finish your creative activity, you've then got to really spend time reflecting on it. And, have a look at it and really think about how you felt during the process of making it. And all of this together is a really powerful engine to really open you up, and get you out of your head and into your heart a lot more, than if you were just using your logical mind.

Because if we could solve all our problems with logic, we would have done it already. 

Bona Normandeau: Absolutely. Yeah. It's interesting because I've used creativity and I'm still a student. But what I really loved about what you said is setting the intention and fully being present. So knowing why you're doing it, I think is powerful because often we do things to check a box.

And I'll notice in my life, it's Oh, I haven't been creative lately. And I'll think, Oh, When can I schedule that in? Because I do know, I understand the power of it. And once I get into it, I enjoy it. And there are things that happen. Like you say that, that connection to yourself and just taking that creative play space that you mentioned too.

But often I rush into it and then once I'm in it, I'm like, Oh wait, slow down and enjoy this. So I love how intentional you are about it. And then of course the reflection afterwards to just really realize what happened there for you. That's powerful. 

Sam Horton: Yeah, it is really powerful. And I think this is my favorite thing about using creativity as a tool is it's so simple and people have such a huge aha moment around it because they.

They deny themselves, we're conditioned to not put great value on crea, our creative selves. And it's actually a really important part of who we are. And we need a balance of, against this really productive, efficient, output focused masculine side of ourselves.

We need to balance that with a much more feminine, creative side. And I think if we can find a balance between those thing two things, then we're really gonna thrive. It's about balance, ultimately. 

Bona Normandeau: Before we hit record, we were chatting about why creativity is often the missing piece for women who feel unfulfilled and disconnected, despite their life looking perfect on paper, there is this missing piece.

So can you tell me more about that? 

Sam Horton: So I think again, it comes back to the fact that we've lost touch with ourselves, right? So we've been conditioned to tick off the checklist of life, we've we are taught from a really young age to, achieve academically. And then obviously in our career we're taught to, put a really high value on.

all these external things like, having a solid relationship with another human being and getting married and, having children and all this, some of this stuff is beautiful, but it's not everything. And then. What we find is as we move along the path and, often it's sometime after 40, we've we have a bit of a moment where we're like, hang on, is this it?

And it, and the reason why that happens is because we lost touch with ourselves and we focus so much on all these external achievements and successes and. All this kind of like striving for more and we've lost touch with who we really are. So what creativity does is it brings us back to that.

It really brings us back to who we are. It brings us back to the essence of who we are. And when we enter that really Gentle space that creativity puts us into when we're immersed in a creative project. We're then able to open ourselves up to that side of ourselves and to really hear ourselves again.

Which is really powerful. 

Bona Normandeau: I love that. And again, I love how you just keep bringing it back to connecting with ourselves, which is oh, so powerful, right? Self awareness. And being authentic. I am just dying to know, what are some of the creative endeavors that, that people have? Because I know for me, because it's not natural for me I, I did a paint night and I globbed onto that.

Like that, that worked for me, I enjoyed that, the tools are in my closet it's fairly easy for me to pull out and do, but what are some of the other creative endeavors that people use for this process? 

Sam Horton: Sure. So I actually believe it's about living a creative life, right? So it's looking at your life and the choices that you make and the way you move in your life.

It's putting a creative lens onto that. So basically what that means It's different for everybody, but what that means is approaching things with a creative mindset. So it's thinking about your home and the way that you you know, live in your home. So connecting your heart and your home creative, creatively is a really important thing, in terms of that home space, I believe.

So what that could look like is decorating your home with your kind of unique personality and really, inject. into your home so that you've got this reflection of the things that really light you up within your home. And that could obviously be through, artworks or flowers, sentimental objects, things that people have given you over the years that you've collected from your travels or what have you, and really making your space work for you in a practical sense.

My mum had a a best room or a good room, I don't know, that no one ever went into. It was like for guests only or something, right? We're not doing that. We're using our space the way we want to live in it, right? And being really creative about that, because there's no rules, right? We don't have to.

Have a dining table with eight chairs around it. Like it doesn't have to look like that. Making sure your space is working for you. I believe in being immersed in nature and having nature as part of your daily life. I feel like that's a really. Beautiful creative outlet, whether it's through gardening or just basically exploring creatively in terms of immersing yourself in nature.

I personally love flowers. I think that you can get very creative with using flowers, both in terms of what you wear earrings, all these sorts of things, all very creative kind of things too. And then, even as basic as like how you feed your family, right? So getting creative about.

How we approach meal prep and shopping and things like that in terms of just because it's, quicker and easier to, buy the sourdough bread from the bakery doesn't mean that you're not going to get huge enjoyment out of going through a sourdough making process and, making a starter and pouring all this love into your bread.

Just, silly things like that. In terms of actual creative activities, I love sewing, drawing, we talked about painting, all these kind of arty things, but also, it can be writing, cooking, gardening, there's so many things that we can open ourselves up to. But I think that the mindset piece is important because often we're rushing through everything trying to get the job done.

And really, if we put a creative lens on it. There's so much joy in actually the process of moving through our life. 

Bona Normandeau: As you were speaking there, I just thought of I think who is my most creative friend, even a meal, like when she makes this crazy, healthy, very yummy meal, the presentation is just, it's incredible, right?

So it's it's interesting how you can bring creativity into every aspect of your life. I never. I never thought about it again because it's not natural for me. It's fascinating, but I do love how you're saying it's more about the mindset than the actual activity. And I think that empowers people to.

Look at some of the stuff that they already do and they already enjoy as a creative endeavor as opposed to oh gosh I have to take on something else because the last thing women need in today's day and age is one more thing to do on Their checklist, right? 

Sam Horton: That's it. I think that it's if you're curious about it Try it, it's that, because we want to follow the things that really light us up and give us a bit of joy.

And so it's this curiosity and permission to explore it that I think really is a bit of a game changer. Because even if it's going to take more time, or be a harder road, it's like taking the scenic route, right? And, it doesn't mean that it's not worth your time, because actually, again, Balancing this kind of busy doing, ticking things off the list energy with this slower, more creative side is how we balance ourselves and really, thrive in life.

Like I said before. 

Bona Normandeau: Love 

Sam Horton: it. 

Bona Normandeau: Sam, thank you so much for sharing. I think it's your superpower, actually. So thank you for being on the podcast and sharing your superpower with me, but also with the Happier You community. And I would love for you to just share, where is the best place to find you? 

Sam Horton: The best place to find me is on my website which is samhorton.

co and there you will find links to my podcast, Soul Ed Creative Women, and I've got a ton of free resources on there as well. Yeah, so that's the best place. 

Bona Normandeau: Perfect. And I will put both of those links in my show notes as well so people can find you. Thank you again. This is very fun. And I think we'll do this again, Sam.

I think we'll check in later on and to see where we both are on our journeys. So that's it for today. Remember, when you have a choice, choose happy. Have a good one and go get your happy on. Where's the best ways? Wait, what? I'll try that again. 

Sam Horton: Yeah, and I've got to apologize in advance for my umming.

I'm a terrible ummer. Because I, I totally want to keep going. Okay.