Episode 91: Year of the Whale
Year of the Horse or Year of the Whale? Flow, creative energy, and what happens when you stop suppressing yourself
In this episode, Amber and Shayleigh wander through a really honest conversation about creativity, nervous system patterns, flow, self-suppression, and what it looks like to actually pay attention to how life feels.
What starts as a playful conversation about whether 2026 is the Year of the Horse or the unofficial Year of the Whaleturns into something deeper. They explore the pressure people put on themselves to be more powerful, more productive, more “on it,” and how sometimes what actually creates movement is not pushing harder, but allowing more flow.
They talk about creative energy, the cost of suppressing what wants to come through, the way life gets heavier when we ignore the small practices that make us feel like ourselves, and how easy it is to get pulled into chaos, negativity, and collective stress if we are not intentional.
This episode also gives a behind-the-scenes look at what is unfolding for Shayleigh creatively right now through art, symbols, and light language, along with how that energy is beginning to shape Elevate, their new small-group container.
And for Tea House members, there is a special announcement at the end.
In this episode, we talk about:
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Why “Year of the Whale” became the vibe for 2026
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The difference between force and flow
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Tiny practices that shift your whole energy
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What happens when you stay committed to how you feel
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How creative suppression can show up as fatigue
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Why creativity is not just painting or drawing
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The importance of finding your version of art
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How nervous systems get pulled back into old patterns
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Support, accountability, and why it is hard to shift alone
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A deeper look at what is unfolding inside Elevate
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A scholarship opportunity for one Tea House member
Resources Mentioned
Elevate Program https://www.amberlydic.com/elevate2026
Tea House Membership https://www.amberlydic.com/membership
Tea House Scholarship Details Tea House members can check the Facebook group and email for details on how to apply.
