Today, Jay sits down with author, artist, and creative mentor Amie McNee for a heartfelt conversation about reconnecting with the artist inside all of us. Known for her honest take on creativity and self-expression, Amie opens up about her journey, from battling self-doubt and shame to finding her voice as a writer and artist. Amie shares real stories of rejection, depression, and learning to embrace imperfection, reminding us that art doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be real. Jay and Amie explore the common myths that hold people back from creating. The idea that creativity has to be profitable, that art must be perfect to be valuable, or that we need permission to begin. They discuss how shame, perfectionism, and fear of judgment often silence our creative instincts, and how practices like journaling, self-mothering, and small daily acts of creativity can help revive them. They also reflect on the emotional vulnerability of sharing your work, the importance of protecting your inner artist, and the delicate balance between wanting to be seen and creating for the pure joy of expression. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Reclaim Your Creativity Without Shame How to Make Art When You’re Struggling with Self-Doubt How to Start Creating Even If You Don’t Feel Ready How to Deal with Fear of Judgment and Being Seen How to Turn Jealousy into Creative Motivation How to Promote Your Art Without Selling Out Whether someone is writing a novel, posting their first poem, or simply daring to call themselves an artist, this conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder—they are on the path, and their voice matters. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 00:49 Are We Born Creative or Can It Be Learned? 02:12 Why Everyone Is an Artist in Their Own Way 03:50 What Happens When You Suppress Your Creativity 06:37 How Journaling and Self-Compassion Can Heal You 08:30 You Owe Everything to the Past Version of You 13:03 How to Move Through the Fear of Being Judged 16:07 Why Art Exposes Both Light and Darkness 17:25 Let Go of Needing External Validation 19:30 Everyone Just Wants to Be Seen and Heard 24:31 Stop Dismissing the Parts of You That Want More 26:28 Stuck in the Wrong Job? Try Small Creative Steps 30:56 How Perfectionism Fuels Procrastination 33:11 Embrace the Beautiful Chaos of Art 34:17 What the 30 Circles Test Reveals About Creativity 36:44 How to Share Your Art Without Losing Yourself 39:07 Real Artists Are Meant to Break the Rules 40:29 What to do When No One Sees Your Art 41:54 If You Hate It, Stop Doing It 44:19 Don’t Chase Virality, Make Meaningful Art 46:40 Yes, You Can Make Money from Your Art 50:10 Every Creative Act Has Value So Honor It 53:12 Charging for Your Art Is Not Selling Out 57:39 Oversaturation Is a Myth, There’s Room for You 01:00:53 Your Voice Is One of a Kind Use It 01:02:25 Use Jealousy to Guide, Not Derail You 01:03:49 How to Inspire Others by Owning Your Path 01:07:12 Amie on Final Five Episode Resources: https://www.amiemcnee.com/ https://www.instagram.com/inspiredtowrite https://www.facebook.com/AmieFionaMcNee/ https://www.tiktok.com/@amiemcnee https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09DKVNGNJ https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/ https://x.com/jayshetty https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/ https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast http://jayshetty.me