Biz Her Way Series: Meet Author Caroline West Founder of Carolouiseart
Special Edition: Meet The Author Series with Co-Authors of Beyond the Ordinary — Navigating the Creative and Neurodivergent Mind, Available October 11, 2024
By Sacha Walton, Business Strategist and CEO of SWI Management Group
Navigating Creativity Beyond the Ordinary: A Journey of Collaborative Expression
The power of collaboration has long been recognized as a means to weave together diverse perspectives and amplify unique voices. When authors come together to contribute to a collective work, they share their individual stories and create something greater for the readers to experience.
Such is the case with Beyond the Ordinary — Navigating the Creative and Neurodivergent Mind, a groundbreaking book collaboration that unites a group of remarkable women under the visionary leadership of Creative Genius Consultant Mandy Nicholson.
Collaborative writing projects like this one are more than just a collection of chapters; they are a tapestry of ideas, experiences, and insights that resonate on a deeply personal level. Each co-author brings her distinct voice to the table, offering readers a multifaceted exploration of creativity through neurodivergence.
For many neurodivergent creatives, the journey to harnessing their full potential can be empowering and challenging. The unique wiring of their minds often leads to extraordinary bursts of creativity, but it can also present obstacles that require innovative solutions.
Beyond the Ordinary not only celebrates the strengths of these women but also shines a light on their resilience and determination to navigate a world that often misunderstands or undervalues their contributions.
Under Mandy Nicholson’s inspiring guidance, this book becomes a beacon for those who have ever felt “different” or struggled to fit into conventional molds. It offers a safe space for readers and writers to explore the boundless possibilities that arise when creativity is embraced in all its diverse forms.
As these women share their stories, they invite us into their worlds — worlds where creativity flourishes not despite neurodivergence but because of it. Through their words, we are reminded that true innovation often comes from those who dare to think beyond the ordinary.
I had a fabulous conversation with Caroline West, one of the co-authors of Beyond the Ordinary — Navigating the Creative and Neurodivergent Mind.
Thank you for having this interview with me. I’m excited about sharing your author journey in our Biz Her Way “Meet the Authors Series”, here on Medium.com.
Our readers would love to learn more about you. Please tell us who you are and a little something about yourself.
I’m an artist with a passion for sustainability. I transform items that would usually decay or be discarded such as preserved leaves and tea bags and transform them into works of art. Each piece I create reflects my deep commitment to the environment and my belief in the power of creativity to reveal the hidden beauty in the everyday.
I hope to inspire others to see the magic and potential in the overlooked, reconsider their relationship with waste, and adopt a more sustainable mindset. Recently I have been in the media for my series of British Landmarks painted on reused Yorkshire Tea Bags.
Being an author is exciting! How has your journey been in becoming an author?
It’s been amazing! Being a published author has always been a dream of mine, and I am so excited to fulfill that dream. I’m enjoying every step of the journey; there have definitely been parts that have pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I’m embracing it all and the growth that comes with it.
What inspired you to contribute to this book, and how does your chapter reflect your journey?
I was inspired to contribute to this book because I believe that we all have a story to tell and that by sharing our own personal journeys we can support and inspire one another.
In my chapter, I share the story of how, after over eighteen years in the childcare industry, I experienced burnout. This pivotal moment led me to leave my job to pursue my lifelong passion for art.
My chapter is not only about my journey from childcare and burnout to the art world, it’s also a journey about finding myself and facing my fears to follow my dreams.
Becoming an author takes a lot of creative focus. How did you overcome the challenges of the “writer’s block”?
Being a creative means, my mind is always active with hundreds of thoughts and ideas so I rarely get stuck, especially once I’m in the zone.
My worst foe is procrastination, so my biggest challenge is often just getting started! The best way I’ve found to overcome this is to tell myself that I will just do it for 10 minutes (and set a timer), once I’ve started, nine times out of ten I’ll be in flow and get it all done.
Can you share a moment when your neurodivergence suddenly fueled your creativity?
Being creative, for me, means viewing the world differently. I am always hyper-aware of colors, shapes, and textures when out in nature, almost like seeing in HD. This helps add depth and richness to my work and provides endless inspiration.
In what ways has your neurodivergence shaped your perspective on the world, and how does that influence your writing?
I believe the more I have embraced my uniqueness and neurodivergence the more it has impacted my perspective on life and the world around me.
It’s enabled me to be more accepting of both myself and others and has led to peace and comfort within myself. I feel a new sense of confidence in expressing myself and how I show up in the world.
It’s shown me that authenticity and being yourself is the way to feeling a sense of joy and purpose and I hope this is reflected in my writing.
What role does self-care play in your creative process, and how do you ensure you’re taking care of both your mind and creativity?
Self-care is so important, especially after I have already experienced the effects of burnout. My self-care includes meditation, yoga, and being with my rescue dogs. I also spend time out in nature, especially the beach which is my happy place, and preferably barefoot (I rarely wear shoes)!
Art is also a large part of my self-care as it is a very mindful act and a way for me to be in the flow of creativity and forget everything else!
What role does intuition play in your creative process, and how do you trust your instincts when developing new ideas?
Intuition is a large part of my creative process. I am usually inspired by nature, but often just a phrase, picture or color will spark the creative process. Once I have an idea I can’t rest until I’ve painted it out of myself!
I rarely plan or sketch anything, I just go with the flow and trust that it will turn out alright in the end, even when a painting is going through the ‘ugly’ phase.
When I teach art classes I always tell my students that it’s about enjoying the process rather than the end product. Good advice, but of course it’s not always that simple when a painting doesn’t go right and I can inevitably get frustrated! That’s the time to walk away and leave it for another day.
Writing is a fantastic way to creatively express and share your story. How has becoming an author empowered you?
Sharing my story has been such an incredible and empowering journey for me. It’s given me a belief in myself and in the power of being authentic.
We are often taught to dull ourselves down to fit into society, but shining the light on who you are is the most uplifting thing you can do.
Sharing your story and putting yourself out there can be terrifying, but pushing past the fear has given me a new found confidence and I hope it can inspire others to do the same.
What strategies do you use to tap into your most authentic and uninhibited creative self?
I spend a lot of time doing things that bring me joy. Spending time with people I love, being in nature, listening to uplifting music, and eating dark chocolate!
In society today we are told to strive and work harder in order to be successful, but I’ve come to realize that success, for me, means being true to myself and doing what I love. When you are happy and at peace within yourself, creativity just flows.
How has your understanding of your own neurodivergence changed over time, and how has that growth impacted your creative expression?
I’ve come to realize that I spent most of my life masking myself and trying to fit in with everyone else and what was expected of me. From childhood, I had always been the ‘good girl’, perfectionist, and people pleaser and this followed me through much of my adulthood.
Embracing my differences and accepting myself has been a revelation for me, and I see my neurodiversity as a channel for my creativity. It has given me so much clarity and understanding of who I am and why I do what I do.
This understanding has freed me to express who I am and the more I embrace it, the more my creativity is unleashed!
How has Mandy Nicholson’s vision for this project inspired or influenced your contribution to the book?
Mandy’s vision for the book is so inspiring and I am excited and honored to be a part of it. She is so passionate about what she does and that enthusiasm is contagious!
She is on a mission to help as many women as she can and I am truly grateful to be a part of that journey.
In what ways has Mandy’s leadership and approach to creativity and neurodivergence resonated with you, and how has it impacted your own creative process?
I’ve been working with Mandy in her Creative Mastermind since the beginning of the year. Her knowledge, understanding, support, and insight into the creative and neurodivergent mind have helped me to understand myself and grow my business and confidence.
She has made me feel seen and maybe not as weird as I thought I was (I probably am!) and the community of supportive women she has built is a testament to her commitment and passion.
What do you hope readers will take away from your chapter, particularly those who may not be familiar with neurodivergent experiences?
I hope my chapter will inspire others (especially women) to face their fears and follow their dreams. We so often put our own wants and needs aside through fear, especially fear of being different.
Each of us is unique with our own special gifts and I hope my story is a powerful example of how surrendering to personal transformation can lead to the freedom and joy of sharing your gifts with the world.
Thank you for this amazing interview. One last question, looking ahead, how do you see your neurodivergence continuing to influence your creative journey, and what’s next for you?
My brain is always coming up with wonderful and wacky ideas (usually when trying to sleep)! I’m always looking at how I can use things that I would normally throw away in my creative process and I’m excited to see where it will take me.
I hope to keep highlighting the importance of environmental awareness and inspire others to think outside the box and view waste through a lens of creativity and possibility.
Follow Caroline West: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
Visit Carolouiseart: www.carolouiseart.com
Beyond the Ordinary — Navigating the Creative and Neurodivergent Mind by Mandy Nicholson, Available October 11, 2024
Pre-order your copy today: www.mandynicholson.co.uk
Sacha Walton, business strategist and owner of SWI Management Group helps entrepreneurs level up their businesses with strategic planning, marketing, and branding, which drive business growth and visibility. If you would like to be featured Biz Her Way Series, email us at info@swimgtgroup.com