I had a bit of an epiphany recently about what creativity means to me...and since creativity is the #1 thing we talk about here on Never Wear Boring Socks, I wanted to share it with you! In this episode, I'm talking about my current definition

086 | Is Your Inner Artist Sleeping? (+ how to wake them up!)

Apr 15th, 2022 13m 15s

We all have an artist inside of us. If you don't believe me, it's possible your artist has gotten a bit bored and fallen asleep... In this episode, I'm sharing some other signs that your inner artist might be sleeping, and how you can start to

085 | Why Creativity Matters

Mar 30th, 2022 10m 48s

How many times have you put off a creative project because something more "important" came up? If you've done this more times than you can count, you're most certainly not alone. Art often gets put on the back burner in favor of more pressing t

084 | Which Version of Yourself Do You Want to Be?

Mar 16th, 2022 13m 9s

Do you ever get tired of the advice to just "be yourself?" Of course we want to be authentically ourselves as creatives, but what does this really mean? In this episode, Maria is sharing a new way of thinking about this concept that has the pot

083 | You Already Have Everything You Need to Be an Artist

Mar 2nd, 2022 16m 13s

Have you ever felt yourself putting off your creative projects until "someday"- some magical time when you have more time, more space, more support? In this episode, Maria is sharing why you DO in fact have everything you need to get started ri

082 | What to Do When Creativity Feels Forced

Feb 16th, 2022 12m 42s

Have you ever sat down to create your art and it just feels forced? Like you have to push and will yourself to write words on the page, and you just can't get into that flow state where things feel easy and inspired? In this episode, Maria is s

081 | What's REALLY Blocking Your Creativity

Feb 9th, 2022 10m 13s

Have you ever felt like you're just not creative, or like you're just not that good at art or music or writing (or any other creative medium)? In this episode, Maria is sharing why you are in fact a creative and talented person, and the real re

080 | Why You Should Be Making Bad Art

Jan 26th, 2022 13m 44s

Do you ever feel frustrated with your creative practice? Like you don't have enough ideas or talent? Do you ever feel like you're just not a creative person? In this episode, Maria is sharing her solution: make bad art. Listen in to learn how e

079 | What Rose (the plant) Taught Me About Boundaries

Jan 5th, 2022 13m 15s

Today we are talking about boundaries! A lot of us struggle with them, but strong boundaries are so important when it comes to making creative work consistently. In this episode, Maria shares what she has learned about boundaries from one of he

078 | How to Have More Creative Ideas

Dec 15th, 2021 10m 21s

In this episode, we're discussing a very popular topic: How do you have more creative ideas? Whether you're a visual artist, a writer, a musician, or you just know you want to make something, you first need ideas. But where do they come from? T

077 | How My Creative Practice Helped Me Connect to My Intuition

Dec 8th, 2021 9m 2s

Today, Maria is sharing one of the most valuable things she's gained from a regular creative practice: a deeper connection to her intuition. In this episode, she shares how she used to be a super indecisive kid, how making more art connected he

076 | How to Stay Inspired as a Creative

Nov 29th, 2021 9m 27s

In this episode, Maria is sharing some of her tips for staying inspired as a creative. Often, we think of looking to other artists, writers, and musicians, but that's not the only place to look for inspiration. Maria talks about the importance

075 | How Making the Bed Makes Room for Creativity

Nov 3rd, 2021 11m 19s

What does making your bed have to do with creativity? Listen to this episode to find out! Maria shares her philosophy on "making the bed" (both literally and metaphorically), how our daily rituals support creativity, and how creativity is like

074 | Why Structure is Essential for Creativity

Oct 27th, 2021 11m 19s

A lot of creatives are resistant to structure because it feels restrictive. However, as Maria shares in this episode, structure can be incredibly supportive - even an essential ingredient - in allowing creativity to flow. Sign up for a free co

073 | Creating Space for Creativity: Part 3 - Energetic Space

Oct 20th, 2021 14m 29s

This is the last in a three-part series about making space for creativity. In this episode, we're focusing on ENERGETIC space. Now that you've carved out space in your physical environment and your schedule to work on your art, it's time to loo

072 | Creating Space for Creativity: Part 2 - Time Space

Oct 13th, 2021 16m 31s

This is the second in a three-part series about making space for creativity. In this episode, we're focusing on TIME space. It can be hard to find the time to work on your art. In this episode, Maria is sharing a few of the things that have hel

071 | Making Space for Creativity: Part 1 - Physical Space

Oct 6th, 2021 13m 46s

This is the first in a three-part series about making space for creativity. In this episode, we're focusing on PHYSICAL space. As creatives, we require some sort of physical space to do our creative work. Today, we're exploring how to carve out

070 | Revisiting Inspiration

Sep 29th, 2021 11m 54s

Never Wear Boring Socks is back! In this episode, Maria shares her perspective on creative inspiration and what inspired her to get back into podcasting. Then, she shares a few reflection questions for anyone wanting to invite more inspiration

069 | The Seriousness of Silliness

Dec 26th, 2019 51m 46s

Things can often seem very serious in the art world, and also in the health and wellness world. But we’re here, for ONE LAST EPISODE OF SEASON 2, to make the argument that silliness and humor are just as important as their more serious friends.

068 | Creativity & Growth on Both Sides of the Atlantic

Dec 11th, 2019 19m 49s

In the second to last episode of season 2, Anna and Maria give some updates on their lives on opposite sides of the Atlantic. Some common themes between their experience: growth, discomfort, creativity….AND an upcoming cousin reunion!

067 | Giving Thanks (and Gifts!)

Nov 25th, 2019 42m 6s

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it’s time for the third annual Never Wear Boring Socks gift guide! In this episode, Maria and Anna share their thoughts on the importance of gratitude and how to develop a gratitude practice,

066 | Growing our Perspectives with Permaculture

Nov 19th, 2019 52m 24s

This week, Anna and Maria discuss a new and exciting topic: permaculture! Permaculture is a form of agriculture that is based on a holistic system of people care, earth care, and future care. Our hosts talk about how permaculture works and why

065 | Writing, Music, & Creative Motivation with Heather Sommerlad

Oct 28th, 2019 58m 12s

Our co-hosts are joined this week by guest Heather Sommerlad. A musician and writer, Heather knows her way around the creative process—though isn’t afraid of admitting how difficult it is to create. In this episode, Heather shares her thoughts

063 | Transitions & Travel

Sep 27th, 2019 26m

Due to Anna’s recent departure from the U.S., our co-hosts are doing something a little different for this episode. Anna shares a voice memo about her first couple weeks of her abroad adventure, and Maria responds with her own updates and advic

062 | Structuring Creativity

Sep 13th, 2019 55m 3s

In this episode, Anna and Maria dive into the topic of structure as it relates to creativity. As creatives, many of us are resistant to structure; but as ambitious creatives, our desire to follow through and finish projects often requires some