Meet Morgan – Writer and Mental Health Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Morgan Blair and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Morgan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I don’t know that I chose to pursue a creative career path so much as it chose me. No matter what I’m doing—whether working as a mental health counselor, writing psychology articles, painting, drafting my novel, or simply existing in the world—I’m approaching the experience through an artistic lens. For me, art is the act of tapping into our spirits, and our spirits are the most expressive, authentic, and vulnerable pieces of us. My spirit is the guiding force that moves me forward while also keeping me from getting flooded by the expectations that a “career” looks like one thing. A career, for me, is wherever I’m moving next.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a writer and visual artist who uses my education as a mental health therapist to explore the human experience. My business blends mental health advocacy with creativity. I bring art into therapy sessions with my clients, write articles for organizations and companies, create digital content on social media, and use art to share my own story of overcoming challenges. At the end of the day, I don’t really know what my brand is because my art is just an extension of myself. I’m not a brand, but an ever-evolving human who never knows what they’ll make next.

My path to where I am today was unpredictable, windy, painful, and wonderful. I battled with an eating disorder that left me in and out of hospitals and treatment centers. I overcame significant losses and traumas. After years of self-hatred, I learned that neurodivergence isn’t a negative thing but a unique aspect of my experience that I can incorporate into my art. I traveled the world, and summited mountains, and scuba dove with sharks. I’ve squeezed so much pain and joy out of the decades I’ve been on this earth. And that—that wide breadth of emotional experiences—has shaped my story and been the best inspiration for my creative process.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For me, the best places in Colorado are almost exclusively in the mountains, but if we were to be in the city, I would go to The Ethiopian Restaurant on Colfax followed by the Sie Film Center for a movie. I’d also take them to the esp (the listening bar) because it’s dark and moody and has the good music and energy without being overstimulating like most bars. Somebody People is another favorite restaurant of mine. It’s all vegan with a zero-waste initiative. We’d go for their Sunday tasting menu, where we’d get to try a wild display of dishes that were created from the leftovers of the week prior.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have three shoutouts.
1. The first is the Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop in Denver, Colorado. I’m a mentee of Rachel Weaver’s in their Book Project program. The community of writers and mentors I’ve met at Lighthouse has shaped my growth as a creative writer and thinker. The Book Project has also been foundational in supporting me on my current novel’s manuscript. The project would be a mess without their guidance.

2. My spouse, Erik Jensen. Whenever I get worried about finances, stability, and the future of owning my own business, he is my grounding force. He constantly reminds me of my intention for my career—that whatever choices I make should align with art, with creativity, and with expression.

3. M Train by Pati Smith. I’ve reread this book more times than I know, not because it is some profound formula for how to be a writer or artist, but because it’s a book that embodies art, that shows it in action. The memoir weaves together both darkness and light and paints a portrait of how an artist interacts with and sees the world around them.

Website: unpolishedjourney.com, artbymorganblair.com

Instagram: @unpolishedjourney, @artbymorganblair

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-blair-5627aa88/

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me.