In the fourth grade I wrote my first screenplay (9 pages, murder mystery, strong female lead) and was constantly lost in thought about characters, breaking them down, giving them a life, etc. As is the story for a lot of us, the bits of ourselves that make us an organic individual gets molded, conformed, and confined on our way to adulthood.

But then adulthood doesn't make it stop. Sometimes it gets worse. By the time I understood any of that, I was into my 50's. I’d settled on a degree I didn’t truly want (although I believe it was also exactly what I needed at the time), and got all the promotions I wanted in my career(s), but all the while, I’ve been waiting for this magic moment to become the person I was on the inside.

Jungian psychology, shadow work, and art is helping me find my way back to what I call my organic self. Through 3 A.M. Alchemy, I’m sharing a bit of an awkward process of reclaiming creativity, and making my life the way I saw it playing out but was waiting for someone else to give me the green light.

For the first time, I am putting 100% of my energy into the person (my future self) who has faithfully been waiting in the wings to arrive. I hope my journey helps you on yours.

My name's Mandy, by the way. I'm pretty shy when it comes to this type of media, but I can be pretty hammy once I'm comfortable. :-) Cheers, and thanks for being here!