Katie Dalebout

Meet Katie Dalebout, writer, podcaster and founder of Let It Out. She is a positive force and proof of the healing power of creativity.

You began your career in marketing after majoring in journalism in college.

What inspired you to start your journey into wellness & lifestyle?

Yes I did all of that but it was never really a plan. I chose to study journalism because I really wanted to study acting and journalism felt safer and I was interested in that too. Marketing really was a means to an end. I ended up working a job in marketing for a fantastic company and while I was there I learned a lot but most of all it allowed me the space to continue what I was interested in on the side which was writing—at the time, wellness culture—and starting my podcast. I never thought it would be a career when I began but in college I loved reading blogs; it was the height of what I think was the best internet in around 2010 or 2012 and looking at those bloggers made me think, hmm maybe I could do that? I was overwhelmed with the technology and design of it, but my boyfriend at the time was so sweet and took care of all of that. He would take my photos, build me multiple websites, and eventually bought me my first podcasting microphone. We broke up nearly a decade ago but the podcast he helped me start is still going strong (nearly 300 episodes). It started off in the wellness space but over the years I shifted. To me true wellbeing isn't just green juice and yoga, it's relationships and creativity. So I speak to a diverse catalog of people on LET IT OUT about habits, routines, what they're learning and into, and vulnerable stories that make them who they are. 

When do you feel your most creatively charged? Are you inspired by any specific places/objects/music?

I feel most creative when I have alone time to process experiences I've just had. I need to be around people and alone in equal measure, but I often forget this. I can feel creatively charged in a plethora of places. There's really no rhyme or reason to it, but I for sure don't feel creative when I'm overwhelmed (which I have a tendency to feel if I'm not careful). Traveling, conversations with friends, podcasts, and going to concerts all super-inspire me. I believe inspiration is everywhere, it's just on us to be present enough to notice it and it's such a bummer when I find myself spiraling about something, or when my anxiety or depression gets in the way of me noticing or allowing inspiration. 

In your book Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling, you explore the power of creativity and healing through journaling. How can journaling be used to dive deeper into creativity?

Journaling is the best tool for self-awareness that I've found and I think the more self-aware we are the more honest our art and creative work can become.

Journaling will help you skim the pond scum off the top of your mind so you can get to the clear thoughts and new ideas under it all. 

It seems like you are always in the process of traveling & creating (podcasting, public speaking, coaching, writing, workshops, etc.)

How do you stay creative under pressure? What helps keep you focused?

I'm not great under pressure. I'm terrible at time management, and am only focused some of the time. What I've learned about myself is that when I get into the flow I need to be able to ride that, stay there as long as possible and allow it to flow because it's not that frequent. Also I try to create the conditions for that "flow" to come, meaning: giving myself time and space, knowing I can basically only work effectively in blocks of a couple hours. Mornings are when I have the most willpower and discipline. This is when I get some momentum up, and that's my best bet for completing tasks. 

What is the best career advice someone gave you?

Be kind--I believe this is the only advice that ever matters in any profession; it will serve you. You might switch industries or roles but if you are kind that is transferable. 

Do you have any rituals that help you stay positive and get into a creative mental space?

I used to be super rigid and have a lot of rituals but now Ive become way more flexible and I think that's better for me. I barely have anything I do daily now. 

I like writing daily, I like at least touching a creative project I'm working on for at least 20 minutes in the morning. I like mediating, I like walking and listening to something inspiring. I like jumping into the ocean if I happen to be near a beach which is very rare but an ideal way to start the day. I've also learned to not force creativity. On days when I have a long to do list or something I really wanted to work on but can't due to feeling blue or low, instead of forcing it I try to do what I can and then sit with the feeling and allow it to pass through me in time rather than push it down and work over it. Otherwise it doesn't serve my mental health or the work. 

Do you believe that there is a link between personal authenticity and creativity? Does becoming more authentically “you” make room for more creativity?

Absolutely, the more honest a piece of creative work is the more i resonate with it. I think the more comfortable we are at being ourselves the more ease and flow we'll have creatively. 

Burn out has been an ongoing topic of conversation especially amongst entrepreneurs and creatives.

Do you have any strategies to prevent burn out, or to heal yourself after creatively crashing?

I've experienced burn out and it really did a number on me. it's a slippery slope being excited and eager about your work, just starting out and trying to reach goals, or doing full time work and freelance on the side—it's easy to have a lot on our plates and get overwhelmed and overworked. I think knowing yourself and being honest with what you can handle and what is too much for you is the most important part. When i experienced burn out I knew I had too much on my plate, but instead of removing things I just ignored the impulse until I found myself in the hospital, with my relationship in shambles, and my work not doing well either. i was like Gumby—stretched so thin—and i knew it was happening but i was too afraid to spot and try to reroute the ship so i just ignored it and kept going until i was finally forced to stop. Now i know to listen earlier so it doesn't have to get to that point for me to pivot. 

Do you have any mantras to help transform any fears or blocks into creative energy?

A person I was working with in Bali earlier this year gave me several mantras that were useful to me. He said, “don't feel better, get better at feeling.” which I really loved. he also coached me to remain in the moment when it was good or bad, my tendency is to leave my body and overthink or detach, but he gave me this line for when that happens, "here not in this."  I try to remember to say that when I stray from the moment that's happening (which is often). 

What impact would you like your work to have on others?

I want my work to make people feel less alone. I want them to see me being myself fully even though I'm scared, and to think they can do that too. 

Katie and her podcast can be found: www.katiedalebout.com

Photo credit: Georgia Blackie