Chelene Knight, Founder, Breathing Space Creative
I am the author of a few books including the award-winning Dear Current Occupant, Junie, and Let It Go. I have bylines in multiple Canadian and American literary journals, plus the Globe and Mail, the Walrus, and the Toronto Star.
In addition to running Breathing Space Creative, I also previously worked as a literary agent with Transatlantic Agency. Learn more about me here cheleneknight.com
Chelene on creative sustainability
“I want to write books and run and expand my business. In order to do this, I recognize that my mind and body play an integral role. It took me a long time to come to this understanding. So when I think about what the ideal work/life balance means to me and looks like on the daily, I see myself feeling good when I am writing AND when I am not writing. I enter into my work day feeling motivated to do my best and I call in gratitude when I shift into my creative work. I spend time cooking and creating outside of writing but everything I do connects and contributes to my creativity. Each morning I wake with curiosity on my tongue, and I go to bed feeling relaxed.
Photo credit: Jon McRae
Jessica kent, Administrative Assistant
Hi! I am Jessica and I am a crafter, baker, and I love to eat! You will usually see me working on one of the many crafting projects that I will one day finish hehe. My dream is to one day live in a cozy home with my family and be able to craft all day with a nice cup of tea. It makes me feel great when I am able to help someone and make them feel comfortable in their environment. To be able to sustainably craft and create, I think you need to let yourself take the time to enjoy what you are doing and not put the pressures of finishing a project on yourself. Enjoying the crafting process is key!”
Jessica has an environmental science degree from Simon Fraser University and loves to play farming video games. You can follow her on Instagram @jesscrafting.
Jessica on creative sustainability
"I want to be able to create and be relaxed while I do it. As someone that worries a lot, I know that I have to be able to set some of those worries aside and be in a relaxed space before I can enjoy my working and crafting time. To achieve this balance I see myself setting time aside to concentrate on tasks or life events that I am worried about, but once that set time is over I can relax and enjoy my crafting time. This will give me a calmer mind to work on fun projects and let my creativity flow, allowing me the ability to create forever."
Mar Tezak, Podcast Producer, The Balanced Creative
Hello! My name is Mar and I’m a creator. Whether it’s through writing fiction, reading energy, or designing sound, I am always exploring inner worlds through external ideas. Understanding the stories behind people and how they relate to the world is a big thing for me as I believe we are all storytellers in some way.
Being nonbinary has given me a fluid perspective on life and has highlighted how passionate I am about creating safe spaces where people can process their emotions through creative outlets. I make writing exercises and creative meditations and have created my own oracle deck, The Hidden World of Kamarei. I am so excited to be a part of the Breathing Space Creative team as our podcast editor!
Check out their portfolio here: www.tezakaudio.com
Mar on creative sustainability
"Living each day intentionally is a big factor for me, especially since I have an issue with holding my focus. There are so many ideas out there, how can you just stick with one? And what happens when what you’re working on evolves along with you? Keeping my intentions in check has really helped me to find more creative sustainability because if you’re aware of what you need from your projects, and what your projects need from you, you’ll never lose sight of what you’re creating."