Busy as a Bee
And Everything I Made While Buzzing
The month of May buzzed by like all the bumblebees out in my garden. When I sat down to write this post, I realized I simply did not have the capacity to pull anything creative or interesting enough out of my brain to share with you. But the truth is, I’ve been busy making things to share with you anyway! So this post is officially dedicated to updating you on what I’ve been building.
On May 28th, I officially launched The Art of Wellbeing framework & methodology. It debuted as a virtual workshop hosted by The Chronic Pain Project, followed by several other tools and offerings that are now available to the wider public.
I keep telling people the work started when I was working on my thesis for my MFA in Collaborative Design at PNCA. I wanted to design something that changed the way people living with type 1 diabetes understood their diabetes management and ultimately improved their relationships and outcomes during their doctor appointments. However, if I’m being completely honest, I’ve been developing this work my entire life. Looking back on my own health journey, I’ve realized the only way I was ever able to improve my health and wellbeing was when I engaged in a creative process first. That realization was the catalyst for building a framework, methodology, and ultimately a collection of tools that offer an alternative approach to exploring your own personal wellbeing.
The Art of Wellbeing, Piece by Piece
If you’ve read some of my previous posts, I’m sure some of this content might be a tad repetitive. But I wanted to share the whole thing together. It’s like you only saw small details before, but together you get the whole landscape with a clearer path to use it for yourself.
What It’s All About
The Guiding Philosophy is simple: creativity gives us a deeper, more meaningful understanding and language for our pain and our wellbeing than clinical metrics ever could. It activates joy, ownership, and the intrinsic motivation that makes lasting change stick. And it meets people exactly where they are, because they are the creator, it comes from within first.
The People Its Made For: All the adults living with chronic pain, chronic illness, or any major life transition who want to reconnect with their sense of self. It’s also for coaches, healthcare providers, non-profits, and workplaces that want to offer a restorative, inclusive wellness experience to their communities or employees.
You don’t need to be an artist. You don’t need fancy supplies. You just need an open mind and a willingness to explore your own experience with wonder.
The Creative Compass: At the heart of The Art of Wellbeing is the Creative Compass, a framework built around four creative energies and 16 archetypes:
The 4 Energies: Mind vs. Body (where do you want to direct your energy?), Abstract vs. Concrete (what kind of “stuff” do you want to work with?), Expressive vs. Communicative (who is this for?), and Blank-Slate vs. Constructivist (how do you want to start?).
The 16 Archetypes: From The Architect (building order from chaos) to The Alchemist (transmuting struggle into wisdom), The Cartographer (mapping your inner terrain) to The Translator (bridging the gap between your experience and what others understand)—each archetype offers a unique doorway into creative exploration.
Answer four simple questions about how you’re feeling in the moment, and the Compass points you toward an archetype and a guided activity designed to support you right now.
Art of Wellbeing Workbook Sample Pages ©Kailey Fry
The Offerings
The Art of Wellbeing is available through multiple entry points so that people can engage at whatever level fits their life:
Live Workshop — A 90-minute virtual session where participants frame their own creativity, identify sparks of inspiration, discover their archetype, engage in a guided creative exploration, and write themselves a “creative prescription.”
If you are interested in attending a workshop fill out the form to be notified of future workshops on the calendar.
PDF Workbook & Archetype Library — The companion workbook from the workshop, available as a standalone self-guided resource. Get yours by clicking on the shop button below.
App — A digital version of the workshop content for a self-facilitated experience. Now available with a free tier and a premium subscription, so the framework is always in your pocket.
Newsletter — A monthly newsletter exploring the intersection of creativity and wellbeing, featuring app updates, archetype deep-dives, real stories, and early access to workshops and new products. subscribe button
Shop — A growing collection of tangible tools, including the Archetype Library, Workbook.
1:1 Coaching — A deeper session (or sessions) for those who want personalized guidance using the creative process to explore their health and wellbeing.
COMING SOON: Other offerings that are currently in development. I’ll be dropping them throughout the summer and fall.
Self-Paced Video Course — A chapter-by-chapter walkthrough of the full Art of Wellbeing experience.
Creative Compass Oracle Card Deck & Inspiration Cards
Creative Compass Coloring Book — Including all the illustrations of archetypes and inspiration cards in the oracle deck.
The possibilities are endless; there will only be more creative fun to enjoy. Stay tuned.
In My World This Week
What I’ve Been Listening To
I now have a little hummingbird feeder right outside my window where my art table sits. I know the sound of their tiny rapid-vibrating wings and the little cheep cheep they make. It’s been the greatest joy of my days. Listen here
What I’ve Been Eating
I’m getting back into my smoothie game now that the weather is warmer. So far I’ve got a really good high-protein strawberry, banana, and peanut butter mix with soy milk and pea protein powder. I’m looking forward to making a jam or syrup with the rhubarb I’ve harvested from my garden to add to it. I also have an idea for a veggie smoothie with kale, spinach, carrot, and beets. Don’t worry, I always add some fruit or juice to my veggie smoothies. They end up tasting rather delicious. Read more about the benefits of pea protein here.
Shoutouts I’d Like to Give
T# - My amazing partner in crime. Without his talent and generosity I wouldn’t be able to share so much with you today. He built the Art of Wellbeing App and has patiently supported me in all aspects of life. Cheers to you!
Check out his blog hereJessica Reihl & Alicia Navarette - My forever collaborators. Your feedback and support have shaped me as a professional. Not to mention you are a constant spark of inspiration in my life. Thank you.
Check out Jessica’s Work & Alicia’s WorkRachel Deehan - For always listening to my every creative thought and worry. You push me to explore, try new things, and continue to seek out the joy in life. Check out her BEAUTIFUL photography here.
Adela Pena & Carlos Reyes - My fellow Wellcoaches Coach Chat Committee Members! Your encouragement and belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams. You’re both so wonderful, the world is lucky to have you in it. Adela’s LinkedIn & Carlos’ LinkedIn
My Family and Friends who helped me test run my workshop. You are my people.
What I’ve Been Reading
The topic of dreams has been surfacing a lot for me lately. Either I’m experiencing one that feels particularly strange, or someone I know calls to tell me about the dreams they’ve been having. That got me wondering how much we actually know about what’s happening when we dream. It’s been a fascinating exploration that I’ve only just begun.
Here are some links for you to explore for yourself:
And some historical dream-inspired artwork as well:
Made with love - Kailey
Thank you for trusting us and being such an amazing collaborator. We're thrilled to see your artwork get out into the world and such a unique way