Reclaiming Creative Expression in a World That’s Always “On”
The Drive to Feel Alive
Have you ever looked around and thought, “Is this it?” You’ve ticked the boxes, career, education, home, title, but something feels... muted. Like life’s gone grayscale. You’re not burnt out exactly, but the colour’s definitely faded.
If this resonates, you’re not alone. I’ve lived that tension between “success” on the outside and quiet dissatisfaction on the inside. It wasn’t dramatic or messy, it was just an ache. A persistent whisper asking: Where did your spark go?
One of the most powerful ways I’ve helped myself, and now help my clients, rekindle that spark is by activating the 10 human drives that make us feel most alive. Today, I'm focused on one that rarely gets enough airtime in executive circles but is absolutely essential: Creative Expression.
Why Creative Expression Isn’t Just for “Creative Types”
Let’s clear something up. Creative expression isn’t about being an artist. It’s not about painting watercolours or writing poetry (although those are great). Creative expression is about having the freedom and the courage to live and work in a way that feels authentically YOU.
That includes how you speak up in meetings, how you decorate your office, how you structure your day, and even how you dress. It’s about injecting your flavour into everything you touch.
When we suppress this drive, we become mechanical. We go through the motions. And eventually, we start questioning everything: our job, our relationships, our identity.
If that inner voice has been asking, “Why don’t I feel more fulfilled?” this could be the missing drive.
The “Good Girl” Trap That Silences Our Voice
I still remember sitting in a meeting years ago, bursting with ideas but saying nothing. Why? Because I had internalised the belief that being professional meant being dispassionate. Inconspicuous. Agreeable. Sound familiar?
Many of us, especially women in male-dominated industries, have spent years fine-tuning the ability to fit in. We’ve traded originality for acceptability. It’s no wonder that eventually, we lose touch with what we actually think or want to say.
But here’s the thing, your voice matters. Not the curated LinkedIn version. The messy, powerful, real one.
It’s what sets you apart. It’s what makes people lean in when you speak. And it’s exactly what fuels engagement, joy, and confidence i.e. the core of high performance living.
Creative Expression Is a Drive, Not a “Nice to Have”
In his book The Charge, Brendon Burchard calls Creative Expression one of the 10 human drives. It’s hardwired into us. When we’re not expressing ourselves in a way that feels real, we feel disconnected.
We might become irritable, tired, or uninspired, and not know why. We might even overwork or over-deliver to prove our value, trying to fill that creative void with productivity.
But busyness is not a substitute for meaning.
And this is where high performance coaching comes in. Because high performance isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about aligning your actions with who you really are, so you can show up fully and consistently, not just when you’ve had your third coffee and the stars align.
Reclaiming Your Voice at Work (Without Burning Bridges)
Now I know what you might be thinking: “But I can’t just walk into the boardroom and start talking about my feelings.”
No, you can’t. But creative expression doesn’t mean abandoning professionalism. It means being strategically authentic.
Here are a few ways my clients have reignited their creative expression without setting their careers on fire:
Adding personality to presentations: One client swapped generic slides for visuals that reflected her story and voice, and her engagement scores soared.
Infusing meetings with values: Instead of defaulting to “playing it safe,” she began anchoring her feedback and ideas in personal conviction. It was subtle but powerful.
Creating space to reflect: Another client set a weekly “thought walk” where she’d step away from the desk and voice-note her thoughts. No filter. Just raw ideas. That practice unlocked the clarity she’d been craving.
Why I’ll Never Play Small Again
I’ve shared this before, but it bears repeating. My own wake-up call came not in a conference room, but in a nursery chair. Sitting there with a baby in one arm and a bottle of sleeping pills in the other.
Yes, I had the job, the house, the life on paper. But I was completely disconnected from who I was.
It took hitting that moment and deciding to live for my daughter, and for myself, that shifted everything. That was the start of reclaiming my spark. And I’ve spent the last 20+ years helping other women do the same.
Because when you rediscover your voice, everything else follows. Your confidence. Your clarity. Your power to lead, influence, and live meaningfully.
So, How Do You Start?
Here’s a simple challenge. This week, pick one area where you’ve been muted or defaulting to “professional autopilot.” Ask yourself:
What’s my real opinion here?
How can I express this in a way that feels true to me?
What’s one small act of creative expression I can take, even if no one else sees it?
Maybe it’s writing a personal note to a team member instead of a templated email. Maybe it’s speaking up in that meeting instead of nodding along. Or maybe it’s something as simple as wearing your favourite earrings, the ones that make you feel a little bold.
The drive for creative expression doesn’t require a stage. It requires intention.
The Real Risk Isn’t Speaking Up. It’s Staying Silent.
So many women I coach worry that if they express themselves more, they’ll rock the boat. But the truth is, not expressing yourself is what’s keeping you stuck. Playing small won’t keep you safe. It’ll just keep you invisible.
You don’t have to overhaul your life tomorrow. Just start with one real expression. One bold move.
Because you weren’t born to blend in.
You were born to show up fully. Voice and all.
And if you need help turning that whisper into a roar (cue: Katy Perry)... well, that’s what I’m here for.
Let’s Ignite Your SPARK together.
Remember, you can unleash your unique version of success.
Your Coach
Stephanie
P.S. Want help identifying where you’ve gone “numb” and how to reignite your aliveness through the 10 drives? Book a High Performance Coaching session with me. We’ll uncover the beliefs and patterns that are keeping you small, and build a structure to help you rise with clarity, confidence, and joy. Visit my website to learn more.