By: Scott James
Kathy Strauss’s journey in The Essence of a Woman is a powerful exploration of how creativity became her steadfast companion through life’s most challenging moments. She reflects on how art and self-expression helped her endure both the trauma of an abusive marriage and the profound challenges of caregiving for her second husband through a ten-year struggle with complex health issues. Her narrative in the book invites readers to view creativity not just as a hobby, but as a profound tool for exploring healing, resilience, and self-discovery.
Strauss’s decision to contribute to The Essence of a Woman was sparked by her connection with Dr. Jo Dee Baer, who introduced her to the concept of foundational health. After collaborating on Ignite Your Faith, a previous book, Strauss and Baer shared their stories and recognized that both had used creativity to navigate healthcare experiences. This led Strauss to feel that her story of resilience, particularly in the face of adversity and personal loss, could inspire others to use creativity as a source of strength and personal growth.
Reflecting on her husband’s passing in 2022, Strauss notes that artmaking became her “lifeline,” a way to process grief and bring calm amidst sorrow. Art, whether through painting or photography, became her anchor—a way to reclaim her sense of self when she might otherwise have been lost in a sea of emotions. Strauss shares how her husband once pointed out that she was “a nicer person” after she painted, a reflection of how creativity nurtured her ability to remain centered and think clearly, even during life’s toughest challenges. Her story reinforces that engaging in creativity can provide more than personal fulfillment—it can serve as a pathway to resilience.
As she wrote her chapter in The Essence of a Woman, Strauss gained insight into the way creativity affects her relationships and infuses them with joy, spontaneity, and playfulness. She describes how art and creative expression cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity, transforming how one perceives the world. For Strauss, creativity isn’t only about the act of making; it’s a dynamic force that reshapes connections with others, encouraging open-heartedness and empathy. Her message is that life, much like a blank canvas, can become richer and more meaningful when painted with the vibrant strokes of creativity.
When it came to telling her story, Strauss faced the challenge of translating deeply personal experiences into a narrative that others could relate to. Her background in storytelling helped; as a photographer, she views each image as a story in itself. However, writing demanded a different kind of vulnerability. During her husband’s illness, she journaled daily on platforms like CaringBridge and Facebook, creating a real-time record of conversations with healthcare providers and her thoughts during this intense period. These journals later became the foundation for her narrative, helping her recall the details accurately and providing her with emotional clarity as she wrote.
One unique feature of The Essence of a Woman is its inclusion of practical action steps at the end of each chapter. For Strauss, these steps serve as a bridge between her personal experiences and the reader’s journey. Her goal in creating these actions was to provide readers with ideas they could incorporate into their lives, encouraging self-reflection and personal development. She hopes readers might find inspiration in these exercises and come to appreciate creativity as a practice for self-care, resilience, and emotional well-being.
Strauss urges women who wish to begin their journey of personal growth to explore the book’s stories and find the ones that resonate with their own experiences. With chapters spanning the six pillars of health—spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, financial, and social—the book allows readers to focus on areas where they may need guidance or strength. Each author’s story offers a unique perspective and potential insights, encouraging readers to draw lessons from others’ experiences. Strauss believes that women learn best from one another’s stories; by embracing these shared experiences, readers may gain new perspectives, empowering them to face life’s challenges with resilience and courage.
The global reach of The Essence of a Woman, with contributions from women across eleven countries, adds depth and diversity to its message of resilience. Strauss draws from her 30-year career in international development with the World Bank and USAID, where she encountered people from various cultural backgrounds. She values the cultural richness that each author brings, believing that understanding different perspectives fosters tolerance and resilience. To her, this diversity reinforces the book’s central message that shared experiences of struggle and triumph transcend geographical boundaries, offering readers a sense of connection with a worldwide community.
Ultimately, The Essence of a Woman is more than a book; it’s a call to action for women to embrace creativity as a form of self-expression, a source of strength, and a way of managing life’s most challenging moments. Strauss hopes readers will see creativity as a means of self-expression, a source of strength, and a tool for navigating life’s challenges. Through sharing her own journey, Strauss demonstrates that artmaking and creative pursuits are not just about what we make—they’re about who we become in the process.
Click here for additional information about The Essence of a Woman.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
