Episode 160: From Caregiver to Creator: The Restorative Power of Art with guest Jaime Townzen

Medium Lady Talks: Burnout Recovery for Millennials and Mothers

In this episode of Medium Lady Talks, Erin sits down with watercolor artist and author Jaime Townzen for a heartfelt conversation about the shift from caregiving to creativity — and how making art became her most powerful source of rest.

Jaime shares her story of moving through years of intense caregiving, grief, and the emotional load of motherhood, and how a simple watercolor tutorial in 2020 opened the door to calm, grounding, and a renewed sense of self. Together, Erin and Jaime explore what it means to rest creatively, how small creative acts can quiet anxiety, and why giving ourselves 15 minutes with no “deliverable” can change our whole nervous system.

They also dig into the guilt so many women feel when trying to rest, the transition from parenting young kids to supporting aging loved ones, and how to spend less time on your phone by choosing slower, more intentional hobbies.

If you’ve ever said, “I wish I could paint,” or “I wish I had time to write,” this episode will meet you right where you are — and gently nudge you toward the creative practices your future self will thank you for.

Together, Erin and Jaime talk about:

• How making art can regulate your nervous system

• Why creative hobbies matter even if no one ever sees them

• The guilt women feel when trying to rest

• Navigating the shift from raising kids to caring for elders

• Using creativity to spend less time on your phone

• Letting go of perfectionism and embracing “just a piece of paper”

• How small creative rituals can reconnect you to your identity

Key Takeaways

• Creative rest doesn’t require talent — it requires time and permission.

• Your first step isn’t “becoming an artist.” It’s sitting down.

• A 15-minute hobby with no deliverable can completely shift your internal state.

• Caring for others doesn’t mean losing yourself. Boundaries create wholeness.

• Mindful phone use is tiring — and that’s why it reduces screen time naturally.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• Jaime Townzen’s Art & Writing

• Absorbed by Jaime Townzen available wherever you love to buy books and at your public library (my library had a digital copy on Hoopla!)

• Sarah Cray Watercolor tutorials

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @medium.lady
• Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady
• Email: [email protected]
• Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
• Instagram: @mediumladyreads