let’s “do the thing.”
sure, you got ideas,
but are you putting them into action?
introducing…
“do-the-thing” day
a 1-day virtual retreat
(plus bonus prompts + prep to catalyze your creative process)
** next date will be announced soon! **
$295 or 2 payments of $150
it’s time to get your idea in motion.
If there’s a project in you, a business in you, a show in you, a song in you, an as-of-yet-unamed-thing in you, or maybe just a creative itch in you, it’s time to give it space to be seen and expressed.
What would it feel like to:
Write the first chapter of your book
Set up your first workshop and have 5 students signed up
Have your podcast outlined
Choreograph to that song that’s been tugging at your heart
Have a completed poem to share at an open mic
…Pretty great, right?
Here’s the thing - you’re likely wasting time right now THINKING too much about how you should go about it, which idea you should execute first, whether or not to do it online or in person, what your ex-co-worker will think about you when you post it online... or any other number of brain-created “what ifs.”Well what if I told you that you don’t need to know those answers in order to start?
Hear me out -
After 9 years of running my own creative businesses and working with countless other creatives on theirs, I’ve learned something profound:
The magic doesn’t come from thinking or planning, it comes from doing.
You are not going to build your own dance empire if you don’t start with 2 people in your class.
You are not going to publish 3 novels if you don’t write a shitty first draft of Chapter 1.
You are not going to be Instagram famous if you don’t consistently post your content.
(and btw Instagram fame is highly overrated!)
with all that said, i know that it’s easier said than done…
that’s where i come in, and that’s why i created this “do your thing” day.
Hi, I’m Jess!
As a doula for creative babies of all kinds, I’m here to help you get your ideas into action - NOW.
—> To take that often scary first step.
—> To get out of your head enough that you can start doing/making/dancing/speaking life into your ideas.
—> To know which first step is aligned and to take it.
I’ve set up the day (and the prompts and kick off call leading up to it) to anchor you in a structured, guided process that will get things flowing.
All you have to do is show up.
(and the best part is, you don’t have to do it alone. in fact, you’re not meant to do it alone. community is the new creative catalyst!)
join us + catalyze your creative flow
here’s how we’ll do it:
Throughout the experience, you’ll be led through a process that guides you to Do Your Thing —>
Emote Yourself Into Action - we’ll start off by getting the emotional blocks flowing so that they don’t hold you back and you can be more free to create
Start Your Best Ideas from Your Body - we’ll use movement and intuitive practices to connect to what’s inside that wants to come through you at this moment in time
Get Real Time Feedback + Support - you’ll have set times to connect in a small cohort of 2 or 3 people to workshop your ideas in real time and get feedback
Learn Tools for a Creative Lifetime - you’ll adopt tools, tricks, and practices that can carry over into your creative life well beyond the time we have together
Make It a Reality - you’ll be guided to set up a realistic deadline or next step for your project so that you have accountability after our time together to let it happen
plus:
Find Your Rhythm (bonus kick off call) - join a live zoom session to learn the foundations of Jess’s Emergent Method, to get your process rolling, and to meet your fellow participants for inspiration and motivation.
Creative Action Prompts - receive direction and inspiration leading up to our day together that will get things flowing
Mighty Networks Membership: (the sooner you sign up, the more of this time you get!) up to 1 month or more of a dynamic online community for you to connect with and get inspired by
it will be held on Zoom but don’t worry - you won’t be in front of a screen the whole time.
I’ve built in a blend of off-screen guided activities and creative space making time for you to really chill with your muses and move cool stuff through you and out of you.
You are encouraged to change up your space - or possibly take an actual retreat to a new space! - during the time we have together.
what “thing” will you create?
Let’s find out, together.
tuition is $295 or 2 payments of $150
(There are a limited number of scholarship/sliding scale spots open to those who genuinely need it. If you sense you may qualify, please email me jess@jessgrippo.com )
why now?
After 18+ months of a pandemic-infused reality, so many creatives have been forced to take a pause. Some of us welcomed it (after all, how did we keep up with all of the action for so long?!) and some of us felt stifled by it, yet all were affected in one way or another.
History tells us that in post-pandemic times, creativity flourishes -
Take the 1918 flu pandemic which was followed up by the roaring 20s, “a ferment of forward-looking, risk-taking social, industrial and artistic novelty.”
Now is the time for us makers, creators, and artists to do the same.
If there is something you know you are here to do (even if it’s scary, even if it’s been on the backburner for years), it’s time to drop into your creative groove so you can finally get it going.
check out what participants in my past Immersions have had to say:
FAQs
What kind of creators or artists is this for?
Writers, comedians, choreographers, coaches, entrepreneurs, painters, singer-songwriters, etc …...It’s really for anyone who feels compelled to create - whether that’s through artwork or a business idea or something in between. I know they tell you to “pick a niche,” but my niche tends to be full of multi-passionate creator types who often struggle with picking a niche, too! While I’ll guide you with a variety of tools and prompts (physical movement, writing, drawing, meditation, etc.) it’s really up to you to practice and create with the creative modality that wants to move through you. You’ll be led to focus on what you really want to say, and allow it to take shape from there. Aside from the times we have together, you’ll also have dedicated solo creation time to work within.
What if I’m rusty?
Even better! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been actively creating all year or have tucked it away for a decade. This kind of support is perfect for ripping the bandaid in a nonjudgmental environment.
Do I really have to share my stuff with others?
I won’t force you to share anything you don’t want to share. There will be, however, opportunities to connect with and share your process with fellow participants. I’ve personally found that not staying in my own bubble is a huge help for getting ideas into reality. That being said, if you’re working with personal subject matter or just feel too shy to share, that’s ok too. You will be encouraged to do what feels authentic to you.
Can’t I just make stuff on my own?
Yup! You totally can. The difference here is that by committing to a time and space, by investing in your creative process, by being surrounded by other creatives, by having structure and prompts, you are bound to take your making to a deeper place.
Will it really feel like a “retreat” if it’s on Zoom?
I’ll be sending you an itinerary and you’ll be encouraged to change your space up or even camp out in a whole different space (the local dance studio? the attic? your neighbor’s basement?), resulting in a shift of perspective that will yield that retreat-like experience.
Who’s this Jess lady and what’s she about?
Oh, hi! I almost forgot to introduce myself. I guess because I’m imagining that if you made it here, you’ve already met me in one way or another. Whether it was through the years I spent facilitating dance programs and creative showcases in NYC, my book Dance With This Book, the many interpretive dances I’ve posted with CVS receipts, or the various shows and talks that I’ve shared over the years, I hope it gave you a hint of my style and energy. I am here doing this work because I believe that unlocking our creative potential is an essential step towards a better, more just, more free world. I am here because my creative practices have saved me again and again. I am here because when I am creating, I feel more connected to something greater and to my fellow humans. I would be honored to connect with you and witness your ideas come to life.
This sounds amazing but I can’t make the date! Will you be offering it again?
If you can’t make it live, you might be feeling bummed. I hear you. This is gonna be amazing! But the good news is, our next cohort of Creative Club is starting this fall, which is full of creative immersive experiences and a kickass community. If you’re digging everything that this is about but just are having time conflicts, go ahead and set up a time to talk with me for a complimentary Creative Discovery Session and we can see if the fall programming would be a better fit for you!
Got a question I didn’t answer? Email me! jess@jessgrippo.com
what people are saying:
“I have few words to describe this experience. Just the joy in my heart, the tears in my eyes, the hope in every cell. I am once again immersed in a creative space and I am thankful for Jess’ magical touch, great facilitation, and doula work. I will keep dancing.”
“got me in touch with my energy and to be more present.”
“Jess gently gives you the space to feel uncomfortable. Instead of stuffing it down, she encourages you to use it, all of it: the anger, fear, silliness, resistance, tears, and laughter that come up when creating.”
“in working with Jess, creativity became a life-boat.”
“In working with Jess, creativity became a life-boat. Within the supportive structure she created, I learned to see art as way more than just a product, but deeply a part of my life. The dance I ended up making pulled together a couple things I made throughout the months from places of confusion and grief. I didn’t plan for a specific end product and felt super surprised by how it all came together. With Jess’s support, I was led into a process of creating that felt so playful and authentic. I started to trust in and value my creative process.
Since the dance came from a much less linear & unplanned place than I’m used to living from, I feel like I’ve been able sit in the unknown more in my own life. This allowed for more authentic and aligned choices around where I’d live and how I would show up during the uprisings. ”
