We were lucky to catch up with Cynthia Hauk recently and have shared our conversation below.

Cynthia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

Yes, I’ve been able to earn a full-time living from my creative work, but it didn’t happen overnight.

Years ago, I found myself navigating a perfect storm: recovering from cancer, chronic pain from multiple car accidents, and deep emotional burnout. I felt lost and creatively disconnected. But what brought me back wasn’t anything fancy, it was mindfulness, and it was art. I’ve found mindfulness + art to be the simplest way to reconnect with my inner voice and make space for healing.

I began with easy practices: drawing a single line while breathing slowly… noticing color and shape as a form of meditation. Those quiet moments helped me feel whole again. They reminded me that healing doesn’t have to be loud or perfect, it can be gentle, curious, and deeply personal.

With time, I committed to a consistent practice of mindful art and meditation. That devotion reignited my creativity and energy. Eventually, after years of training, I began sharing these practices: first in my yoga and meditation classes, then through workshops, retreats, and online offerings.

Like so many others, I had a bad case of “Courseitis.” I kept enrolling in more certifications because I didn’t feel ready to teach. The truth is, I wasn’t ready, not because I lacked passion or creativity, but because most programs only taught the practices… not how to teach them or share them sustainably. I was craving real tools: lesson planning, trauma-informed principles, authentic marketing, and the confidence to show up fully.

With time and experience, I learned these things. I made the mistakes, tried the clunky launches, and slowly figured out what worked, not just for me, but for the people I was here to serve and support. That’s when I realized I could create what I needed years ago, so other creatives, yogis, meditators, therapists, coaches, etc. would feel equipped and empowered to share mindful art with others.

That gap became my calling.

I created internationally accredited Mindful Art Teacher Training programs that go far beyond technique. These online trainings guide students through both the inner journey of mindful art and the outer work of ethically and sustainably sharing it with others.

Since then, I’ve supported over 1,000 students in 50+ countries, many of whom are now teaching, coaching, and creating in their own communities.

But no, it wasn’t instant. There were years of teaching in library rooms, bootstrapping websites, and launching offers that barely sold. Slowly but steadily, I built a business that was rooted in integrity, ease, and real transformation.

Milestones came with time:

– Creating my first online course from a quiet room with a tripod and hope
– Earning my first $1,000 in a week, which proved the dream had wings
– Speaking at international summits and retreats
– Building a beautiful team and thriving global community

Looking back, I’m grateful for every twist and turn. That slower growth gave me resilience, and now I’m honored to pay it forward.

My journey wasn’t always easy, and that’s why I’m so passionate about helping others build theirs with more clarity and support.

Cynthia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder of Mindful Creative Muse, an online education platform where I teach mindfulness, expressive art, and meditation practices that help people reconnect with themselves and share that creativity with others, easiliy, ethically and sustainably.

My work is especially for creatives, educators, facilitators, and therapists who feel burned out, overwhelmed, or creatively stuck, and are craving a gentler, more heart-centered way to express themselves and share with others.

Through our Mindful Art Teacher Training programs, online courses, and coaching, I help people:

– Reconnect with their own creative voice
– Develop a consistent personal mindful art practice
– Learn how to plan, teach, and share mindful art in a trauma-informed, inclusive way
– Market mindfully and sustainable, in a way that feels good for you and the people you support
– Build aligned offerings that support well-being and community care

What sets Mindful Creative Muse apart is our balance of inner transformation and outer empowerment. I don’t just teach art prompts, I guide students in how to confidently facilitate and share with clarity, presence, and purpose. It’s creative, embodied, and professional development all in one.

You don’t need to be an “artist” to begin. You just need the willingness to show up, pause, and create from the heart.

We’ve supported over 1,000 students across more than 50 countries, many of whom now lead their own mindful art sessions in schools, private practices, and retreats. One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing these ripple effects of healing, creativity, and connection.

I started this work out of necessity. I continue it out of love.

At the core, my mission is to help people be present, breathe, and create, so they can feel more grounded, inspired, and confident to share their creativity with others in a way that’s authentic and sustainable.

If you’re a creative, educator, therapist, or soul-centered entrepreneur who wants to bring more mindfulness, art, and heart into your work, I’d be honored to support your path.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important realizations I had, though I wish I’d learned it sooner, is that you don’t have to walk this path alone.

So many creatives and soul-centered entrepreneurs feel isolated, especially when starting an online-based business. We’re often wearing multiple hats, artist, teacher, facilitator, marketer, entrepreneur, without ever having been taught how to balance them. Most of us weren’t taught how to build a consistent creative practice, prioritize our self-care, or run a business that aligns with our values without burning out.

If I could go back and give myself something, it would be a supportive, like-hearted community, a mentor who ‘walks the talk’ that can guide me, and a roadmap. You don’t have to figure it all out overnight. You can create a business and a creative life that nourishes you and serves others, with structure and soul.

That’s a big part of why I created my teacher training programs, because creatives deserve to be supported both personally and professionally.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the voice of the Inner Critic, especially the version that whispered I wasn’t good enough, that my art wasn’t good enough, or that someone else was more “worthy” of being seen or heard.

It’s a voice so many of us carry, often rooted in past conditioning, perfectionism, or trauma. And while it might sound counterintuitive, I didn’t try to silence it, I learned to listen with compassion. Through mindful art, I discovered how to notice those thoughts without judgment, how to track their impact on my body and breath, and how to come back to the present moment with kindness.

What I’ve found is that we all also have an Inner Muse, the part of us that is playful, curious, courageous, and wise. Mindful art gave me the tools to meet both of these inner voices, to choose which one I wanted to follow, and to create from a place of authenticity and self-trust. It’s this work that now forms the foundation of what I teach: how to hold space for our full human experience and still show up with joy, creativity, and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mindfulcreativemuse.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindfulcreativemuse
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiahauk
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/mindfulcreativemuse?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: Free Mindful Art Workbook for Self-Care: https://learn.mindfulcreativemuse.com/mindful-art-workbook-for-self-careFree Workbook: 8 Key Steps to Teach Mindful Art with Joy and Confidence: https://learn.mindfulcreativemuse.com/7fd9d803-4cf7-44bc-b3be-a93e0724ce03

Image Credits

Copyright © Cynthia Hauk | Mindful Creative Muse | All Rights Reserved