Where has Christen Been?

Lately, I’ve been in a season of reflection and intentional living—focusing on balancing my roles as a wife, sister, podcaster, and leader in the dental world, while also staying committed to my personal growth. Whether I’m guiding my team toward stronger performance goals, exploring spiritual growth, or diving into creative outlets like scrapbooking, I’ve been learning how important it is to pause and gain perspective. In this post, I’m sharing a powerful lesson I picked up from an art class years ago that continues to resonate with me today—both in leadership and in life. The thing that really stuck with me was something my teacher said: “Don’t muddy the paint.”

Sometimes, when a painting feels off—like something’s missing or not quite right—we’re tempted to keep adding more color, more brushstrokes, hoping to fix it. But what ends up happening is the colors start blending too much, and instead of a vibrant piece, you’re left with a dull, brown mess—mud. The more you keep working over it without pausing, the more it loses clarity.

To avoid that, you have to step back. Literally. Put the brush down. Let the paint breathe. When you back up and look at the painting from 10 feet away, you see it completely differently than when it’s right in front of your face.

It’s the same with life—or even with ourselves. Sometimes we’re so deep in it, we can’t see clearly. Taking a step back gives us a fresh perspective. It helps us notice what’s really working, what needs attention, and where we may just need to pause instead of pushing harder.

Every now and then, it’s important to zoom out and look at the big picture.

Over the past few months, life has been shifting in both subtle and significant ways. I’ve been leaning more intentionally into leadership—guiding my team with clearer focus and stronger communication. I’ve set new standards, reworked goals, and challenged myself to be more present in the day-to-day, not just reactive but responsive. On the personal front, I’ve taken steps toward reconnecting with my spiritual walk, letting go of distractions that once clouded my judgment, and embracing truth with more conviction and clarity. And as always, I’ve tried to stay grounded in the things that bring me joy—like meaningful conversations on the Modern Musings podcast, little crafting escapes, and laughter-filled moments with my husband, Scott.

All of these shifts—though sometimes messy and uncomfortable—have reminded me of the importance of just stepping back and looking at the big picture as it is. My word of the year, “Be,” has quietly echoed through every choice I’ve made: be still, be present, be honest, be intentional, be creative, be open. I’m learning that growth isn’t always loud or fast. Sometimes it’s about stepping back, letting the dust settle, and simply being with where you are before you move forward again.

So, whether you’re in a season of doing, striving, or questioning—I encourage you to pause for a moment. Step back. Let the paint dry. And allow yourself the space to just be.