From TV Anchor to Art Journaling Guru: Susan Hensley's Journey
The Connection Between Creativity and Wellness: Insights from Susan Hensley
In a world filled with constant stress and digital distractions, finding authentic ways to process emotions and navigate life's transitions has become increasingly important. Susan Hensley, a transformational coach, author, and speaker, offers a refreshing perspective on how creative expression—specifically art journaling—can serve as a powerful tool for mental health and personal growth.
Hensley's journey is as colorful as her art journals. Beginning her professional life as a TV journalist, she faced workplace bullying that shaped her understanding of resilience. Those anonymous notes criticizing her performance could have derailed her dream career, but instead, they became foundational to her understanding of navigating difficult transitions. This experience, along with subsequent career pivots through corporate HR, living abroad in Hong Kong, and eventually discovering art journaling, has informed her approach to helping others embrace change with creativity and joy.
What makes Hensley's approach to art journaling particularly accessible is that it doesn't require artistic talent or expensive supplies. In fact, she encourages using inexpensive materials to silence the inner critic that might otherwise judge the results. "It's not about creating art to show anyone," Hensley explains, "it's about using art to process our lives." This distinction is crucial—the focus shifts from the product to the process, from external validation to internal exploration. By spending just 10 minutes a day with colors, shapes, and textures, people can access parts of themselves that might be difficult to reach through words alone.
The science behind creative expression explains why art journaling works so effectively for mental health. When we engage in creative activities, our brains shift from the analytical, judgmental left side to the more holistic, intuitive right side. This shift increases dopamine and serotonin levels—the same neurotransmitters targeted by many antidepressant medications. Additionally, the physical engagement of eyes and hands creates a mind-body connection that further reduces stress. For those experiencing complex emotions or processing trauma, art provides a safe space to express what words cannot. This is why art therapy has proven effective for children and adults with PTSD—it offers a language beyond words for experiences that defy verbal expression.
Perhaps one of the most powerful concepts Hensley introduces is that of duality—the ability to hold seemingly contradictory emotions simultaneously. Through color and creative expression, we can visualize and accept the complexity of human experience. We can be both grateful and unsatisfied, both joyful and grieving. This acceptance of nuance is particularly valuable in a culture that often pushes us toward binary thinking or toxic positivity. Art journaling creates space for the full spectrum of human emotion, helping us integrate rather than segment our experiences.
The path to creativity begins with play—something many adults have forgotten or deprioritized. "Play is really what unlocks creativity," Hensley notes. By approaching art journaling with childlike curiosity rather than adult perfectionism, we open ourselves to discovery and innovation. This playful approach can extend beyond art to influence how we approach challenges in our careers, relationships, and personal growth. Hensley's challenge to listeners—to spend just three minutes a day doing something playful—offers an accessible entry point for anyone seeking to reconnect with their creative spirit.
