A Creative Leader’s Reset
Coaching a client from Overwhelm to Flow
Welcome to Unfolding Conversations, the newsletter of littlefrenchretreat.com and TamsinJardinier.com - for restorative practices, creative inspiration, and a mindful approach to life and work…
This is the story of Elaine, the Creative Director of a large artist complex—exhausted, overstretched, and unsure how to reshape her role to better support her well-being. She had built something significant, yet the effort to hold it all together came at too great a personal cost. She longed for change but feared losing everything she had worked so hard for….
I wrote a post a year ago on the rekindling of my creativity and how I had put my vision of establishing a pottery studio into motion, providing me with a balance between my online Yoga, wellbeing retreats, and coaching. Inspired by the reorganisation of my working structure, Elaine approached me, asking for support to help her find her flow.
As the long-standing director of a creative complex housing 90 artists studio, she had created a prominent role and strategic vision for the development and community program that she was implementing, yet found the demands of her vision no longer matched or provided her with any personal time, leaving her exhausted. She was so overwhelmed that she didn’t know exactly what she needed—whether to leave her job, start a new business, or create balance and time for her art.
I could sense from listening to the underlying gaps that our first step would be to help her create space to breathe and release the stress. We started by incorporating mantra chanting and journaling to release mental tension and recognise repetitive thoughts that kept her from letting go of certain roles, habits, and obligations.
An Ayurvedic consultation then helped her develop a personalised plan for diet and lifestyle changes to support her energy. When she began to feel energised, we created a plan to clear her physical space—removing or rearranging unwanted objects and paintings from her home—and reworking her routines to better align with her intentions.
Over the next three months, Elaine made progress. As her home became a clearer space, she found time to explore her creativity again, rediscovering the artist in hiding—something she had put aside in the busy of her daily life. She created a studio space and found the courage to examine the aspects of her role as Director that were taking much of her energy.
By the end of our six months together, Elaine had stepped down from the board of directors and reduced her workweek to four days, handing over responsibilities to her team. Although these changes took time to implement, when I reconnected with her a year later, I was thrilled to receive an email featuring her new paintings.
Looking back, I see that there were multiple paths I could have taken, but I truly believe I chose the best one for me. Ultimately, I was searching for clarity and courage—this is why I turned to you. Your unique blend of yoga, Ayurveda philosophy, and creativity felt like the perfect fit for me. - Elaine
One year on, Elaine’s journey continues to unfold, with each step offering new insights and progress. The overwhelm she once felt has been replaced with a newfound sense of balance. By setting boundaries around her workload and carving out time for her creativity, she has dedicated herself to her art—and that shift has been unexpected and transformative.
Elaine’s story is a testament that coaching support can help you realign your life without dramatic or costly changes to find your flow and creative passions. The result is a life with more joy and benefits, not just for herself but for everyone around her.
Until next time,
Much love, Tamsin x
Are you seeking to create more balance and flow,?
Or in need of a new approach to work and life?
I help women who value their wellbeing to reimagine the next phase of their life and work so they can embrace their creativity and live the life they love…
Book your 30-minute discovery coaching call with me
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