Jung at Harp | Episode 184: Contentment vs. Fulfillment
Why listen?
If you've ever hesitated to share your art or felt "not good enough," this conversation offers a gentle reminder: true fulfillment isn't about proving yourself—it's about allowing your unique creative energy to flow. Whether you're a musician, a maker, or simply someone seeking more presence in daily life, this episode will inspire you to cultivate contentment and let self-expression lead you toward wholeness.
In this episode of Jung at Harp, harpist-composer Deborah Henson-Conant and Jungian psychoanalyst Kathleen Wiley explore the subtle but powerful difference between contentment and fulfillment—and how our creative lives can lead us to both.
Starting with Kathleen's experience of a day filled with quiet contentment, they follow a rich conversation about music, shame, creativity, and the courage it takes to keep expressing ourselves. Deborah shares stories of discovering the harp's simple joys, the power of three chords on a ukulele, and the lifelong dance between feeling "enough" and fearing judgment. Together they reflect on how play, silliness, and self-expression can free us from perfectionism and reconnect us to joy.
Through anecdotes, reflections, and the language of music, they invite listeners to:
Notice the difference between checking off accomplishments (fulfillment) and simply being in the flow (contentment).
Release perfectionism and shame so creativity can emerge—whether through a harp, a garden, or a playful idea.
Practice for nourishment, not performance, allowing music or any art form to become a path to self-care and discovery.
Embrace silliness and laughter as powerful antidotes to self-criticism and as doorways to freedom and connection.
Honor the shadow and the gold—the parts of ourselves revealed when we create without fear.
Listen and join the ongoing conversation at JungAtHarp.com.
