I've been on a bit of a Brené Brown reading kick lately. and it all started about a year ago, when I read Dare to Lead. More recently, I finished Daring Greatly, and I'm currently blasting my way through Rising Strong. Next on my reading list is Braving the Wilderness.
And y'all, I love her books!
I don't know about you, but I love reading something that makes me stop and think about my own life. Something that helps me understand why I do the things I do, or makes me recognize something about myself that I've never really considered before.
That's exactly what these books have been doing for me.
Some of what I'm reading reinforces things I've believed for years. Other parts have helped me recognize behaviors I didn't even realize I had. And then there are those uncomfortable little moments when I realize I have some work to do.
I'm learning quite a bit about myself these days!
Vulnerability and Creativity Go Hand in Hand
One of the things I strongly believe is that vulnerability and creativity go hand in hand.
Every time we create something, there's a possibility it won't turn out the way we imagined. When we share our work, we open ourselves up to other people's opinions, criticism, and even rejection.
But vulnerability isn't just about showing someone what we've made. Sometimes it's about the willingness to experiment, make mistakes, and explore something completely unfamiliar.
There's vulnerability in the making, not just the sharing.
Interestingly enough, I don't experience a whole lot of vulnerability at my art table these days.
I love my art. I'm happy to share it, even the ugly pieces and the projects that didn't quite work out. I'm comfortable with my skills, and years of creating, experimenting, and receiving positive feedback have certainly helped build that confidence.
That wasn't always the case, though.
There was a time when submitting my artwork to a magazine or gallery made me feel vulnerable. I'd put my work out there and wonder whether it would be good enough.
Nowadays? I submit it, and if I get accepted, wonderful! If I don't, that's okay, too. What's the worst that can happen? Someone says no?
Of course, I still take creative risks all the time. Running my own creative business and publishing YouTube videos certainly come with plenty of opportunities for things not to work out!
And before you ask, no, I'm still not particularly interested in putting my face in front of the camera. There's a reason most of my videos feature my hands. That kind of vulnerability is a whole different story, but I’m working on it.
Mixed media artist Misty of Creatively Misty adding details to a colorful portrait painting on a wood panel, surrounded by acrylic inks, paint pens, and art supplies in her home studio.
When Vulnerability Feels Like Weakness
One of the biggest things Brené Brown's books have made me think about is how differently I approach vulnerability in my creative life compared to my personal life.
Because outside of art and creating, vulnerability has pretty much always been a “hard pass” for me.
For most of my life, I've associated being vulnerable with being weak or too much to handle. And I never wanted to be those things.
When I was growing up, my response to uncomfortable situations was usually to stay quiet. I avoided confrontation, kept my feelings to myself, and tried not to rock the boat.
As an adult, that changed, but not necessarily for the better.
When things got difficult in my relationships, I generally responded in one of two ways. I'd keep quiet, avoid the situation, let resentment build, and eventually get angry. Or I'd skip all of that and go straight to being angry. Yelling was easier than admitting I was hurt. Walking away was easier than having an uncomfortable conversation.
I've been doing some version of this for most of my life. And until fairly recently, I didn't even realize why.
Reading Brené's work has helped me recognize those behaviors for what they often are: ways of protecting myself from feeling vulnerable.
Silence was my childhood armor. Anger became my adult armor. Neither required me to openly admit what I was feeling underneath.
Misty of Creatively Misty enjoying a peaceful moment reading by a large picture window overlooking a forested Oregon landscape, embracing the simple joys of slowing down and making time for herself.
Choosing Courage Over Comfort
One of Brené's ideas that keeps coming back to me is that “we can choose courage or comfort, but we can't always have both.”
I've always known that, at least on some level. And nowhere is that more obvious to me than in my creative life. Every time I try an unfamiliar technique, experiment with a new material, or start a project without knowing how it'll turn out, I'm choosing curiosity over certainty.
Sometimes those experiments turn into something wonderful. Other times? Well, let's just say not everything deserves a spot on the gallery wall. But I love that part of creating. I love experimenting, making discoveries, and seeing where an idea takes me. I've learned that an unsuccessful experiment isn't necessarily a failure. Sometimes it's just part of figuring out what works, what doesn't, and what I might want to try differently next time.
And then there's the business side of being creative. Publishing a new video, developing a workshop, sharing an idea, or putting something I've created out into the world always comes with uncertainty.
Will anyone watch? Will someone sign up? Will people find it helpful or interesting?
I can put my heart into something, but I can't control how other people respond to it. And yet, I do it anyway.
That's not to say I never second-guess myself or feel uncomfortable. I absolutely do! But I've learned that waiting until I'm completely comfortable or certain of the outcome would mean missing out on an awful lot of things I love doing.
That's one of the biggest things these books are helping me recognize.
I already know how to choose courage over comfort at my art table. Now I'm learning how to make that same choice in other areas of my life, too.
Mixed media artist Misty of Creatively Misty exploring layers of paint, floral patterns, and collage on a wood panel, using a paintbrush to add details to her colorful artwork in progress.
Learning to Write My Own Story
Another idea from Brené's books that really resonates with me is the importance of choosing to write our own stories instead of handing that power over to someone else.
That one hits pretty close to home.
After my divorce, I made a conscious decision to stop living my life according to what other people wanted or expected of me.
I started exploring, creating, trying new things, and making choices based on what made me happy. I stopped worrying so much about whether people liked my artwork, approved of my choices, or thought I was doing things the right way. And somewhere along the way, I became a much more confident person.
But what I'm realizing now is that learning to live life on my own terms didn't automatically mean I'd learned how to be emotionally vulnerable.
I became comfortable taking risks in some areas of my life while continuing to protect myself in others. And maybe that's part of what personal growth looks like. We figure something out, make a few changes, and then discover there's another layer underneath.
Funny how that works, isn't it?
Misty of Creatively Misty overlooking the breathtaking Haleakalā volcanic crater in Maui, Hawaii, surrounded by colorful volcanic landscapes, rugged mountain peaks, and drifting clouds.
Still Learning, Still Growing
I'm only halfway through Rising Strong, and I already have plenty to think about.
What I love most about Brené Brown's books is that they make me look at things I've experienced for years from an entirely different perspective.
I've always encouraged creative exploration, experimentation, and the willingness to make mistakes. I believe that some of our most exciting discoveries happen when we stop worrying about getting everything right and simply give ourselves permission to try.
They've also made me realize how much my relationship with vulnerability has changed over the years.
Courage and vulnerability aren't about knowing everything will work out. They’re about being willing to explore what happens when we try.
I'm still learning, still growing, and still discovering new things about myself, both at my art table and beyond it.
Hi, I’m Misty
Mixed media artist, creative guide, and passionate believer in the power of fearless self-expression. After years of playing small and settling for a life that didn’t feel like mine, I chose to rewrite my story through art — and I’ve never looked back.
Now, I help women just like you break free from perfectionism and self-doubt so you can reconnect with your creative voice and boldly explore what lights you up. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush for the first time or returning to art after years away, my mission is to help you step bravely into your own magic — one joyful, messy layer at a time.
Let’s create a life (and art) you absolutely adore. 💙
If you’d like to explore mixed media with me, explore ways we can work together here.