Create to Know Thyself
At The Make Yourself Collective, we know that self-expression is essential to our very beings. We honor the transformative, healing power in making art, and most especially the written word, and stand firm in our belief that anyone can tap into that power.
The Make Yourself Collective designs programming with these core beliefs in mind. Whether you are a seasoned pro or an artistic newbie, MYC welcomes you to a safe and nurturing environment to explore your talents, your heart, and all the amazing things you have to say.
Embrace your creative spirit.
About the Founder
I'm Stephanie Vance, a writer, spoken word poet, educator, and mental health advocate based in Brooklyn, NY. My belief in the transformative power of the written word extends back as far as I can remember, and I founded MYC on this principle. Whether coping with trauma and grief, processing a serious mental illness diagnosis, navigating major life and employment changes, or simply dealing with the myriad stresses of everyday life, the one common thread in my healing process has been "writing it out." Through this process, instead of letting my fears and emotions fall on top of me, I'm able to get my arms around them, and start to let them go. It is vulnerable and sometimes uncomfortable work, but the increased clarity and lightness it provides me is worth every moment of discomfort it took to get there. Indeed, discomfort is always part of the journey to something great.
Through The Make Yourself Collective, I'm finally able to guide you through my process and help you harness for yourself the transformative power I've found in the written word. I couldn't be more excited to help you "write it out."
Our Current Programming
Journaling Workshop
Every third Sunday @ 5pm eastern
$8
Zoom
Attendees can expect a safe space to dive into a guided journaling practice with an opportunity to share their work, if they choose!
Our hope is that, within the hour, journalers will learn something new about themselves and connect with others.
Facilitated by Stephanie Vance, MYC founder
Authentic Movement Workshop
Sunday, December 4 @ 2pm eastern
$18
Zoom
Movement is magic. Experience and embrace all the beautiful things your body can do at the MYC Authentic Movement Workshop.
This 75 minute class is comprised of a yoga warmup and improvisational and choreographed beginner level contemporary dance – a program designed to release bodily tension and open your heart to the medicinal qualities of moving your most precious body.
Instructed by Ezra Shipin (pictured)
Introducing: MYC Journeys
An MYC Journey is a guided journaling experience dedicated to a particular topic. It includes step-by-step instructions on getting into an open mindset, directed prompts, and pages you can print out to use on your journey. Journeys are designed to be done on your own time, in your own space, so your mind and heart can open up to that important and sometimes elusive goal: positive change through self-knowledge.
The inaugural MYC Journey is centered on Disarming Your Inner Critic. In this 11-page document, you'll find tools to define, dismantle, and maybe even honor the voice in your head that tells you "no."
Personal Narrative Critique
Have a piece of personal narrative writing you're looking to take to the next level? We can help!
Stephanie Vance, founder of MYC, has deep experience in memoir, personal essay, and spoken word poetry, and she's ready to help you dive deeper into your experience and your writing to help make it shine.
Expect the critique to be geared towards honesty and vulnerability as we strive towards unearthing your most authentic self.
Option 1: a one-time written critique, starting at $50
Option 2: a written critique + 30-minute Zoom call, starting at $100
Pricing varies depending on word count.
Email info@makeyourself.co for more info and quote.
Program Submissions
We are always looking out for new programming that suits our mantra: embrace your creative spirit.
We are especially looking for programs that can be easily conducted virtually, and in the writing, music, and/or movement spaces. They can be workshops, lectures, collaborative projects...the sky's the limit!
Do you have an idea for an MYC Program? We are *listening*!
Fill out the form below or email info@makeyourself.co
and we'll get back to you ASAP.