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Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project

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“A life-changing, unputdownable read.” - Suzana Apelbaum, Global Head of Creative & Innovation, Google

WE’RE BORN CREATIVE. THEN, WE FORGET. THIS BOOK HELPS US REMEMBER.


Welcome to the Creative Club smashes the myth that creativity is reserved for the chosen few and invites people to make life their biggest art project.

This book is for anyone who’s felt stuck in someone else’s story, silenced by self-doubt, or afraid they’ve lost their creativity—and is ready to remember what it means to create and live fully.

Pia Mailhot-Leichter shares her messy, beautiful life—gritty New York nights, the ruins of marriage, and the unexpected clarity of a Trans-Siberian train ride—to explore how we lose and find our creative power.

Through neuroscience research, poetic pit stops, and practical exercises, it guides readers through subtle shifts that gradually lead to profound transformation. By the end, life isn’t just lived—it’s turned into a work of art.

This anti-how-to guide is a reminder

Rediscover creativity that’s been there all along.Reclaim your creative power and write and live your story.Overcome creative blocks with mindset shifts.Tap into your imagination and intuition to design your life.Stop living on autopilot and start living creatively.Part memoir, part guide, part gentle rebellion, Welcome to the Creative Club is for people ready to become the creative director of their lives.

Join the Creative Club (the membership card has been in your back pocket all along).

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2024

10 people are currently reading
49 people want to read

About the author

Pia Mailhot-Leichter

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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
Profile Image for Kristy.
278 reviews
December 7, 2024
Pia does a beautiful job weaving her personal successes, failures, vulnerability, and triumphs while giving readers a pathway to discover how they are also creative people. She tackles such topics as fear, intuition, and partnership, and shows us how to lead our most creative life, even for people who aren't artists, writers, etc. You can find creativity in all aspects of your life. You just need to discover and embrace it. Beautifully written. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Konna.
201 reviews47 followers
March 17, 2025
Read review on: https://thereadingarmchair.blogspot.c...

I would like to consider myself a creative person. So Welcome to the Creative Club immediately spoke to me. But don't get fooled - this is not a book just for the creatives. Learning how to apply creativity in your life? This is definitely something that would benefit each and every one of us. Therefore, even though I'm not a self-help type of reader, I was excited to read this book.

In Welcome to the Creative Club, we get a very interesting mix of poetry, personal stories, pieces of advice, and fieldwork. The author makes a really good job at recounting her story and showing how she managed to use creativity to rise even in the roughest situations. I particularly like the fact that she's not afraid to be vulnerable.

My favourite part of the book is the Fieldwork section. In this, we get some useful exercises that aim to reveal our hidden truths and make us take action. I can actually see myself using some of these.

However, I can't deny that reading this book didn't keep me engaged with it, which was very disappointing. Even though there were a couple of useful pieces of advice in its pages, I often found that both the stories and the takeaways from them overlapped. This constant repetition didn't keep me excited to continue reading it.

One more thing that I couldn't get past on was the fact that this book felt that it came from a privileged place. In one chapter, the author mentioned, "Luckily, I had savings and a cushion. My survival wasn't at stake, but my sense of fulfillment and expansion were". And this summarizes perfectly my objections - what happens if you don't have a cushion, if you live from paycheck to paycheck and cannot take a 4-week break to take the Trans-Siberian train and process your failed marriage? In theory, you can just change your perspective, but practically, not everyone has the opportunity to say "Fuck it, I'm jumping".

Finally, I would also like to stand on the chapter "We run in creative packs". I totally agree that when you work with others, you can enhance your creativity, and you can help each other achieve wonderful things. In this chapter, we get a small part from the book's editor, along with the author's description of the book writing process. However, did we really need this conversation about how the book stands out because it's vulnerable, and because the author has a great way of showing that? It felt like a pat on the back.

In conclusion, Welcome to the Creative Club wasn't really the book for me. I admire the author for what she has been able to achieve in her personal journey. However, I didn't feel that she was able to convey these lessons to the readers. But if you want a self-help book that will lay a base for building up your creativity, you could give it a try.
Profile Image for Hannah AdvicefromaPsychologyStudent.
44 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2025
4.5 Stars

Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project is a incredible self help art project, as I would call it is a solid introduction into understanding how creativity can manifest not only through mediums suchas writing a poem or discovering life changing idea that impacts every person alive. Nevertheless, creativity has driven some of humanity's greatest challenges. This book demonstrates that creativity, including its writing style, can be found everywhere, showcasing various structures. For instance, some sections are presented as poems, others include scientific citations, and many reflect the author's journey into the realm of creativity.

Reading this book is like talking to an old friend. Words swirl in your mind, forming an environment where you can be yourself. I believe there are lessons hidden throughout the storytelling that everyone should learn. I found myself connecting so profoundly with the expressions and how they relate to my life, such as this quote: "Creativity is so much more than artistic talent; it's not just something you do, it's who you are." This is just one example because this book contains countless influential lessons I wish to share with you all.

If you are on a path to discovering what you truly want your life to be and are eager to design it yourself, look no further. This book encourages readers to apply the knowledge they gain daily. The "fieldwork" sections of the book are my favorite parts. I believe we are always in the process of creation, and this book offers another exploration into essential topics like stress, travel, and relationships, along with how they can act as catalysts for loss or happiness. Welcome to the Creative Club: Make Life Your Biggest Art Project reinforces how everything begins with how you frame these experiences; if you disregard your beliefs and reactions to life, you may live in fear. Also, by not examining your responses to life's duties, you may fall into stressful patterns of thinking.

I'm thrilled I had the chance to read this book! Even though there are some repetitive parts in the story, it beautifully comes back around to a satisfying full-circle moment. These tiny redundancies throughout the book remind us that life is unpredictable, but everything will be okay. I prompt you to try the book out, and if not for me, for yourself, so that you too can learn about the importance of living creatively because whether we like it or not, we already are. I am stoked to now be on a creative path with Pia Mailhot-Leichter through the things she has introduced me to and the guidance I get in her weekly newsletter. A must-read for self-help fans in 2025.

Thank you, BooksGoSocial, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. #WelcometotheCreativeClub #NetGalley
Profile Image for Teresa Brock.
840 reviews69 followers
January 31, 2025
Welcome to the Creative Club
Make Life Your Biggest Art Project
Pia Mailhot Leichter
11/30/2024

Coming in at 256 pages this little book is small but mighty and packs a punch that I was NOT expecting. One of my favorite things about it is that I feel as if every reader will find something different that resonates with them specifically. Also, if you read through this a second time, you will find something else to take with you.

The author's writing style is beautifully expressive, with a poetic and lyrical quality that draws readers in. The emotional depth is profoundly relatable, capturing raw, real, and gripping moments that resonate deeply. There are pages of poetry, personal stories, questions to ponder and field work activities along with words of encouragement to not sit still and be stuck in the current situation, but to realize that it is ok to create your own chaos, to choose to be in the present each and every day.
WE’RE BORN CREATIVE. THEN, WE FORGET. THIS BOOK HELPS US REMEMBER.
Welcome to the Creative Club smashes the myth that creativity is reserved for the chosen few and invites people to make life their biggest art project.
This book is for anyone who’s felt stuck in someone else’s story, silenced by self-doubt, or afraid they’ve lost their creativity—and is ready to remember what it means to create and live fully.
Pia Mailhot-Leichter shares her messy, beautiful life—gritty New York nights, the ruins of marriage, and the unexpected clarity of a Trans-Siberian train ride—to explore how we lose and find our creative power.
Through neuroscience research, poetic pit stops, and practical exercises, it guides readers through subtle shifts that gradually lead to profound transformation. By the end, life isn’t just lived—it’s turned into a work of art.
This anti-how-to guide is a reminder to:
• Rediscover creativity that’s been there all along.
• Reclaim your creative power and write and live your story.
• Overcome creative blocks with mindset shifts.
• Tap into your imagination and intuition to design your life.
• Stop living on autopilot and start living creatively.
Part memoir, part guide, part gentle rebellion, Welcome to the Creative Club is for people ready to become the creative director of their lives.
Join the Creative Club (the membership card has been in your back pocket all along).

57 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2025
This book is like counselling (she is a coach) in paper form, which I loved.  It has reminders about how we can be in charge of our own life by Pia sharing an experience of hers and how it formed patterns and how to change. So relatable. I've been on my healing process for a few years now,so I know lots of it ,ut there was still a A TON of parts I found the way she annotated to be so thought provoking. Look at how many tabs I added,and I even had a note pad full of things. I found I needed a refresher ,and I was slipping back. I realised by reading this that I still do things that I wasn't even aware of this, and it made me stop reading and need a minute. I have work to do, and I need to change these as I didn't even realise I was doing them, and they do hinder me. Even if we are already healing and are already happy,we can all get something out of this wonderful book.
One thing I found quite difficult was that it comes from the perspective of a wealthy women and at first I thought it was going to be one of those, "I'm so rich I only concentrated on wealth to bring me happiness and it didn't so I made changes and you should too" kinda books, but then I found it isn't. I really thought about it. I know money and material things don't bring that high or the happiness, I've never done that, but whether you are wealthy or poor don't we all just want to live a happy life so no matter the narrative we all need to do the work in a similar way to find it. If we can't afford to go grieve on a beautiful island holiday, we can do that in our local area but deal with it in the same way regardless. If we can't afford to dress in a silk gown and drink champagne,  we can wear what makes us feel amazing and do what makes us have joy.No matter if you can afford to travel all over the world on adventures or have never left the area you were born in, aren't we are all just looking for the same,  joy and happiness in this ONE life we have.
Now I'm off to activate my creative club membership and eat that bloody avocado!
THANKS, Pia for the most thought-provoking book in a long time and for the kick up the arse to get back on.
Profile Image for Alberto Tupputi.
82 reviews86 followers
April 16, 2025
REVIEW: Welcome to the Creative Club by Pia Mailhot Leichter

What if I told you were creative? I doubt you would believe me. We are often told that creativity is reserved for the chosen few. It's something we are born with, they say. You can't cultivate or unleash it. You either have it or you don't. Is it true?

In Welcome to the Creative Club, author Pia, through her life story, neuroscience, poetic pit stops, and practical exercises, shows readers that creativity isn't just about being a painter, sculptor, or musician. Creativity is the way you choose to live and face life's obstacles. She invites people to make life their biggest art project.

🤔My thoughts on this book

Welcome to the Creative Club feels more personal than I thought because of my life's path. I took a different route. I chose to live my life following my greatest ambitions and dreams. It often feels lonely and scary to walk a different path. I have days when I feel like giving up. I fear everything I do will fail and fall apart. This book reminded me that often the fear we feel is exactly the sign that we are in the growth zone. You have to embrace the unknown to level up, and it's not always comfortable.

The book mixes the style of a memoir with a practical self-help. At the end of each chapter, you will find a fieldwork section where you can practically implement what the author shares and live your most fulfilling and creative life.

"Why should I read this book❓"

This book felt more than just a book about creativity. It's a book about leading life following alternative paths and not settling for a life you are likely to hate. It's also a book that will give you a pat on your head, reminding you that a creative life is often frightening, so don't worry about it. It's normal.
Profile Image for Jacob.
5 reviews
October 18, 2025
As a creative myself — someone who’s built a creative business over the past 15 years — I was immediately drawn to this book. The premise was compelling: rediscovering creativity as a lifelong project.

Unfortunately, the execution didn’t live up to that promise for me.

The description intrigued me, but once I started reading, I struggled to find a clear direction. A hundred pages in, I still wasn’t sure what the book wanted to be — memoir, self-help, or creative guide. It feels like it tries to be all three at once and ends up a little muddled.

What bothered me most, though, was the heavy use of Tony Robbins–style coaching language. Concepts like “limiting beliefs,” “growth equals happiness,” and “creating empowering beliefs” are straight out of Robbins’ playbook. Yet the author directly references him, saying she doesn’t know much about him — which either feels disingenuous or suggests she’s unaware that much of her coaching framework originates from his teachings. Either way, it left me uneasy.

There are moments of genuine reflection and creative encouragement, but for me, they were overshadowed by too many recycled coaching philosophies dressed up in creative language.
1 review
December 12, 2024
Pia’s book is a beautiful and heartfelt blend of personal stories, poignant poems, and creative guidance. 'The Creative Club' isn’t just a book—it’s an immersive experience. Pia’s vulnerability and honesty shine through every page, making her journey deeply relatable and inspiring.

What sets this book apart is how seamlessly it weaves personal insights with poetic reflections and practical tools for embracing creativity. It’s rich, layered, and so engaging that I found myself completely absorbed. Each chapter feels like a gentle push to reconnect with your own creative potential and trust your ability to shape your life.

I highly recommend 'The Creative Club' to anyone seeking inspiration, creative encouragement, or simply a reminder of the beauty in personal growth. It’s a powerful and moving read that leaves a lasting impression.
Profile Image for Chris.
1,460 reviews13 followers
January 29, 2025
Are you looking to be more creative? This is a book that will help you on your path to being more creative in your life. Filled with research, real life examples, and poetry this approaches becoming more creative from a variety of ways that address the needs and thought processes of a variety of learners. In some sections I found myself drawn to the practical and in others I was inspired by the poetry. One of the nicest features is the “Fieldwork” at the end of each section. This takes everything that was addressed in the section and provides exercises for you to work on at your own pace and in your own way. This is a book I will turn to time and again as I work to become more creative in my life and I highly recommend it to others looking to approach their life and creativity in a new way.

Thanks to the author and Love Book Tours for providing a copy for my honest review.
Profile Image for kirsty.
1,286 reviews86 followers
February 2, 2025
This was such an incredibly thought provoking and interesting read that really made me question everything. The author presents the idea that everyone is creative and that it is life that stunts that creativity by adult life taking over such as paying bills and other responsibilities that come with growing up and this takes away the urge to do anything creative.

I have never been a very good art person - I appreciate art and think it is wonderful to look at and appreciate but I was never able to draw and paint and so was actively encourage not to take art as school as a GCSE option. However as I have got older I have realised that art is not just about painting and drawing. There are so many sub sections that are involved and if you are creating then it is art. I now have started to get my creativity through things such as diamond painting, model kits such as book nooks and Lego. It doesn't matter how you are creating. just the act of doing it is enough and should be appreciated.

this book has opened me up to being even more creative and wanting to try new things and I think everyone should read it as everyone could get something out of it.
Profile Image for Daisy Hollands.
Author 2 books28 followers
January 27, 2025
I was very eager to read this book. Someone very special to me was of the opinion that we are all born creatives, but school and the world of work conditions it out of us and I think he was so right. This book is very much saying the same thing, that as we grow up and journey through life, we get bogged down with bill paying and responsibilities and we lose the flair and even the urge to create things. It’s way more than an instruction manual or guide book. Each section ends with “fieldwork” which could be suggestions or prompts or questions that will steer you back to the creativity you thought was gone for good. I loved it and I know I will return to it time and again. Buy it for someone you love. You will be giving them the gift of creativity.
Profile Image for Stella Bookgal.
37 reviews
February 5, 2025
I didn’t think I would get on very well with this book, as I don’t find myself very creative but
Welcome to the creative club makes you think about creativity in so many different lights it
made me feel that maybe I could start to be creative.
I like the fact I didn’t need to read the book in any order to be able to understand the context,
you can open it up at random and be able to create, complete a task or an objective within the
book at your own leisure which I found interesting. I found that Pia wrote in a way I could fully
invest in and the information she provides is long lasting and can be fulfilled in any part of your
life!
My advice – buy the book, get creative & be a better you
1 review
February 10, 2025
Pia Mailhot-Leichter's take on creativity is refreshing. Debunking the myths and backed by scientific research, you discover that creativity is not just for the few, but something we all are. It is present in your behaviour: how you solve a problem, how you approach love, how you take a decision, etc..

Based on beautifully written and touching stories from her personal life, and scientific research along with poetic intermezzos and practical tools, she empowers you to shape the narrative of your life by tapping into your innate creativity.

The book applies to all sizes and shapes of change, personally or professionally, making it always a relevant read. A time-less book to pull out whenever you need that extra push to change, or as a perfect gift for those who do.
1 review
January 17, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Welcome to the Creative Club by Pia Mailhot Leichter. This personal yet highly relatable coaching book is beautifully written, with words that flow effortlessly. The heartfelt and touching personal stories added a genuine warmth and depth to the book, making it even more impactful.

The thoughtful structure, particularly the fieldwork exercises at the end of each section, makes it a resource I’ll undoubtedly revisit. Although I chose to read the book without diving into the exercises, it still provided plenty of inspiration and food for thought.
This is a must-read for anyone seeking a creative boost or a fresh perspective on personal growth.
1 review
December 6, 2024
I love this book! It’s so easy to forget how powerful and creative we are and that no matter what life throws at us we get to design our response. We have a choice and we can design the life we want. Pia and this book underscores, highlights in BOLD captions these statements. Guiding us to not take the passenger seat in you own life. She does it in a very personal, vulnerable, inspiring, loving way that makes you really want to really connect with you creative side and go “all in” in designing your own life - or what ever it is you want to design.
Profile Image for Dora Okeyo.
Author 25 books202 followers
March 1, 2025
I love how this book speaks to creativity in all aspects of life, from simply acknowledging that beauty and art and the ability to create exists all through to simple practical steps to take to work towards this.
The greatest part of it covers the lies we tell ourselves from the moment we were children to the years that we accrued, it's a great read indeed. My favourite line and absolute take away from this book is the phrase, "Your creative growth depends on your capacity to be in uncertainty."
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
2 reviews
December 8, 2024
Absolutely Amazing

This is the new seminal book on creativity. It used to be The Artist Way, but Pia has nailed it. So many engaging personal stories and poetry that hit the gut. The writing focuses on all of the important aspects of transcending our fear: sobriety, deep work, and hanging out with people on the healing and creative path. I’ll be assigning this to all my coaching and therapy clients. Whew! Amazing.
1 review
December 16, 2024
You’re already a member of the Creative Club whether your realise it or not. May as well become a card-carrying member by reading Pia’s book. This book is equally intriguing, inspiring, and insightful. I’ve been a fan of Pia’s writing ever since I met her and I’ve also experienced her coaching - and this book is a wonderful combo of those special gifts. Her style of writing is so vivid you feel as though you’re experiencing what she has! Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Alex Jackman.
57 reviews8 followers
August 23, 2025
A fine effort and easy read that took me over 5 months to finish because it just didn't engage or compel me forward in any way. Welcome to the Creative Club is one part memoir, one part creative guide, and one part work book, with poetry sprinkled throughout. If it fully committed to being any one of those things, it might be better for it. The memoir especially, I would read that.
16.7k reviews155 followers
December 23, 2024
This book will aid you to become more creative in your life and help you get more out of your busy lives. It also follows her during her journey which will give you a greater insight into
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I found it so very useful
301 reviews19 followers
March 16, 2025
[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

5⭐️

i found this book very inspirational and insightful. as someone who was very creative as a child but has since lost that creativity, i think this book might be able to bring some of that spark back.
Profile Image for Alisa.
82 reviews5 followers
January 27, 2025
This was a perfect book to start 2025. This book inspires to move forward towards greater things.
Book will make you question your life and the way it goes. It also teaches us of importance of healing and letting go of your past and believing in yourself.
This book is filled up with some good advices, alongside with some deep and harsh truths that forces you to face the reality as it is.
It was an interesting read and I recommend to give it a go.
"Creativity is an act, a communion, an awakening. It’s a way of being with and in the world. Activating your Creative Club card is your choice. But if you do it, you reclaim agency, design your experience, and trust something beyond yourself. Whether you call it the universe, the G-O-D, the source, or the OG creator, recognize you are in a process of cocreation. There is no such thing as a lone genius. I might have bought the ticket, but the universe got tired of watching my reruns and shoved me out of a draining job so I could take stock and choose how I wanted to direct the next scene."
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