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In this episode, Dr. Amy Backos takes you inside a moment every creative woman knows too well—the quiet drift away from our creativity and, in many ways, from ourselves. What begins as a blank page or stalled idea can quickly snowball into self-doubt, overwhelm, or a nervous system stuck in self-protection. But this isn’t a personal failure—it’s biology, psychology, and lived experience converging.

For 20 grounding minutes, Amy unpacks why we stop creating and how to gently navigate our way back. You’ll learn:

• Why the brain interprets vulnerability, visibility, and uncertainty as “threats,” and how that shuts down creative impulses
• The four psychological patterns that disconnect us from our art: avoidance, emotional overwhelm, perfectionism, and the freeze response
• How childhood experiences—from classroom critiques to the pressure to perform—shape our adult creative identity
• Why creativity is not a luxury, but a biological form of expression that reconnects us to our sense of self
• How art-making supports self-regulation, identity repair, and the reclaiming of your own perspective
• A simple, soothing creative practice you can do today: the Rainbow Photo Series, designed to ground you in presence and rekindle your creative spark

Amy also shares personal stories about knitting failures, adolescent art shame, the psychology of “too muchness,” and the surprising perfectionism behind choosing the “right tomato.”

You’ll walk away with practical ways to re-enter your inner world, slow your nervous system, and create not for the product—but for the reconnection.

The Modern Creative Woman is a weekly podcast for women who want to live, create, and heal with intention. If this episode resonates, please share it with a friend and leave a 5-star review—your support helps bring this work to more women.

To learn about the upcoming Modern Creative Woman x Girlboss Paris Retreat—a transformative week of art therapy, self-expression, and deep reflection—connect with Amy through the link in the show notes or on Instagram @dramybackos.

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