Schedule:
January 5th: Intro email, Slack Group opens
January 6th: Kick-off Zoom, set intentions (10am PST / 1pm EST)
January 5-11: Chapters 1-3
January 12-18: Chapters 4-6
January 19: Zoom discussion (4pm PST / 7pm EST)
January 19-25: Chapters 7-9
January 26-February 1: Chapters 10-12
February 2nd: Zoom discussion (10am PST / 1pm EST)
February 2-8: Chapters 13-15
February 9-15: Chapters 16-19
February 16th: Farewell Zoom, revisit intentions, final thoughts (4pm PST / 7pm EST)
Testimonials:
Being a part of the Create Anyway Cohort was better than I could have imagined. Yes, the content helped cultivate creativity in the margins, but the community was vital. Between the Zoom calls and Slack, I felt supported and encouraged to pursue creativity and joy in new ways, and inspired to dream old dreams I had forgotten. I am thankful to Ashlee for leading us, and I am also thankful to all the other moms in the cohort who made the experience so enriching. - Becca
I have always maintained some kind of creative practice as a means of sustaining myself through the busy days of motherhood, but after being part of the Create Anyway Cohort, I sense an even greater need to keep being creative. This cohort has made me more confident, and I feel buoyed, carried along by the encouragement and stories of others in the group. My ideas are blooming and they are less hindered by doubt. Some of the fear I carry has been gnawed away and replaced with a confidence—not primarily in myself, but in God's good design for my creative life. - Aimee
The Create Anyway cohort felt like having a hug in my pocket. I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity to celebrate and explore my creativity with a group of women who shared my dreams, passions, and even my fears, and for all the support and inspiration they provided. - Amelia
When I read Create Anyway the first time, it was like a balm to my soul — a permission slip, as Ashlee says, to pursue creative expression without guilt. I was eager to read the book a second time because I felt I had fallen back into the trenches of motherhood… doing everything for everyone else except myself. Joining this cohort was not a call to selfishly pursue one’s passions but a reminder that the art we consume and make is life-giving not only to us mothers but also to our families. Even amid my busy day-to-day, I was eager to connect with other moms and see how they were managing the beautiful chaos of motherhood. Throughout the six weeks, I found myself feeling refreshed to pour back into my family as I prioritized even just small ways to pursue creativity. I’m thankful for the accountability of this group and Ashlee’s vulnerability in writing the book and spearheading this community! - Brianna
FAQs –
What do I need to participate? A copy of Create Anyway, a journal, and a positive mindset
Will the Zoom calls be recorded? Yes!
How many cohort spots are there? 24 spots available.
What is Slack? Slack is a private online chat platform that makes it super easy to collaborate and communicate. Think of it like group texting, but you can pop in and out whenever you want.
What if I'm not a writer? What if I'm not … (voice drops to a whisper) creative at all? This cohort is not writing-specific and all creatives are welcome to join! Photographers. Gardeners. Bakers. Singers. Dancers. Knitters. Come one, come all, whatever your craft! If you have breath in your lungs, you are creative! If you don't believe that's true, this cohort is for you.
Will Ashlee give me feedback on my work? No. This is not a writing workshop. There are no official "assignments" and no official critiques.
Do I have to share my journaling prompts with the group? No. You will be invited (see: encouraged!) to share responses to the journaling prompts and creative exercises, but how much you share and how often you share is entirely up to you. On day one, we will cover the rules of respect and confidentiality. AKA: what happens in the Create Anyway Cohort stays in the Create Anyway Cohort. ❤️