How To Use Your Sensitivity To Build A Creative Business

Listen On Spotify

Listen On Apple

Hello, beautiful souls, and welcome to a space where we celebrate the quirks and intricacies of being a creative entrepreneur. I'm Amy Lollis, your guide on this colorful journey. As a quilt pattern designer and writer, I dive deep into the intersection of creativity and sensitivity. Today, I want to talk about a common struggle among us creatives—our sensitivity. If you've ever been told you're "too sensitive," keep reading; this is for you.

Understanding Creative Sensitivity

Many of us, especially those venturing into the realms of entrepreneurship or parenting, often feel like we're carrying emotional radar dishes, picking up on everything. Our sensitivity isn't just about feeling more—it's about connecting deeply with the world around us, a trait that feeds our creativity and fuels our passions.

Take a moment and think of the times you've felt overwhelmed by the energy in a room or recognized subtle shifts in someone's mood without them saying a word. This heightened awareness isn't a flaw; it's part of your creative power. As Rick Rubin aptly puts it, creativity often comes when we're vibrating on the same frequency as the universe itself—a magical concept that resonates with the sensitive souls we are. It's why we don't stay in our creative zone, it comes and goes as we're in our flow state.

Creativity often comes when we're vibrating on the same frequency as the universe itself

The Double-Edged Sword of Sensitivity

While our sensitivity allows us to create art that resonates deeply, it also means we're more susceptible to absorbing negativity. It's like having an antenna that picks up both beautiful symphonies and static noise. Remember that time you posted something online and received harsh criticism? It stung, didn't it? As someone who's been there, I get it. Our creativity exposes us, leaving us vulnerable yet incredibly powerful.

For me, my creative journey included starting an autobiography about my time in a cult—a story filled with raw emotion and vulnerability. When Tara Westover published a similar story, "Educated," it was as if the universe tapped on both our shoulders, urging us to share our tales. Yet, I retreated, and she embraced the call. Her success taught me that creativity truly belongs to the world and the bravest among us will heed its call. And honestly? It was

Redefining Criticism

Criticism is a significant hurdle in sharing our work. For years, my inner dialogue equated criticism with failure. It's that voice that says, "Don't publish; it's not perfect," or "What if they hate it?" The key is reshaping our relationship with criticism. View it as data, not damnation. It doesn't define you; it's merely feedback indicating who your true audience is—or isn't.

Think about it this way: their criticism is saying one of two things:

1. You are not enough like me, or

2. You are too much like me, and remind me of the things I don't like about myself

But the people who are meant for you? They will take your content and reflect on it. They'll realize that your truth is coming from a place of authenticity, and be magnetized by it. This is what gives creators that "I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about her" vibe. People try to emulate that in branding and copywriting, but when it comes from a place of deeply trusting yourself, it can't be copied.

And the people who criticize it are the ones who don't have the capacity to show up like that for themselves.

The Balancing Act: Motherhood and Creativity

Navigating motherhood while maintaining a creative business has added layers to this complexity. If you're like me, trying to balance creating art while tending to your children, big hugs. Kids have a knack for teaching us patience and creativity in new ways. They also amplify our sensitivity, making it essential to find moments of quiet and introspection amidst the chaos.

The key to regulating yourself as a sensitive mompreneur is to increase your capacity for non-reactivity to other people's noise.

This is one of the biggest lessons that I've learned from business, and I'm going to tell you exactly how it changed me:

I started a garbage-posting challenge where I just published impulsively, then closed my phone and went to regulate my nervous system. I KNEW there would be haters making negative comments, but those comments? They aren't about me. I get to take a deep breath, drink some water, and do a few yoga flows and just let them be. People's opinions don't have to give meaning to my existence.

This started spilling over into my relationship with my kids. I can step in and fix their problems (because I'm their mom), then just let them be. It doesn't mean I'm a bad mom or they're bad kids just because they fought. I can regulate myself and get on with life, and it sends the message to both me and them that it's safe to have emotional boundaries, just like in my business.

Motherhood and business learn from each other.

Your Sensitivity as a Superpower

Despite the challenges, your sensitivity remains a superpower, a leadership tool for the new wave of creators. Use it to see patterns, spark conversations, and lead revolutions. Be the one who stands up and addresses the topics everyone else skirts around. I remember the time I challenged the consumerist culture in the quilting industry on Instagram—it wasn't easy, but it sparked significant discussions and attracted like-minded clients.

In embracing your sensitivity, you start harnessing it for good. It's time to stop romanticizing the struggle and start producing art that's raw and real. Remember, you're not alone in this journey. Each heart-pounding, nerve-wracking, art-sharing moment strengthens you. Publish before you're ready. Feel the fear, then do it anyway, because our world needs your unique perspective.

Final Thoughts

As we close this chapter, remember: your sensitivity isn't a weakness. It's your conduit for creativity and your gateway to leadership. Process all of it, and then create—because if you don't, someone else will. Go post something vulnerable, embrace the feedback, and recalibrate your antenna. This is how you win—not just in business, but in life. And as you do, know that I'm here cheering you on in every messy, beautiful, and courageous step of the way.