"I'm not an artist - oh no, not me!" Have you ever said that when someone suggests getting creative? How about feeling the desire to create something, but stopping yourself and thinking, "I'm not good enough at this, it's a thing someone else should do, but not me!" Believe it or not, that's NORMAL. Here's the truth: you don't NEED natural talent or a refined set of skills to make art or get creative. In fact, being creative and having a desire to make art in the first place is what turns a person* into* an artist! The act of creating, making, experimenting and playing...it's not about the final product! It's about what happens within you during the process. So yes, when I say "everyone should make art," that means YOU! Let's talk about 10 of my favorite reasons why YOU should make art, whether you're artistic or not
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Expressing Emotions: Have you ever felt something that you just can't put into words? Maybe it's a feeling of sadness, a burst of joy, a wave of frustration, or a combination of emotions so complex that words just can't explain it. Moments like this are* ideal* for your creativity! Grab a piece of paper and a pen and scribble out your feelings. Break out the watercolors and paint with the colors you feel called to. Just start playing with materials (whatever you have around! Don't overthink it!) and let your emotions guide you. This process will help you let it all out and you'll be amazed how great you'll feel afterward.
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Nervous System Regulation: Feeling anxious? How about on edge or nervous? Have something getting under your skin and your body is reacting in a way that feels HEAVY? Guess what. Creating art can help. When those feelings of anxiety or fear or stress start to weigh you down, the motions used in creating art can help to calm your nervous system. The motion of a brushstroke, the blending of colors, or even just the mindless doodling on that napkin at lunch can ground you, calm you, and let you focus on the moment.
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Improves Focus: Sitting down with the intention of creating something can be good for your focus. Our brains are so used to being pulled in a million different directions every day, it's no wonder our focus as a society is terrible. So many screens, apps, meetings and opportunities to multi-task! For a few minutes, especially in those moments you're feeling overwhelmed, shut it all down and make some art. Getting creative and making art demands and improves your focus. It engages both sides of your brain, it has you working with hand/eye coordination. And it makes you think in ways you might not in your every day life. When you're making art, you can't multi task. You're forced to focus on what you're doing, get involved in your thoughts and let one single project take over your whole focus. And improved focus here will absolutely translate into improved focus in the rest of your life.
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Provides a Sense of Accomplishment: When you create something personal, it generates a feeling of pride when you finish it. Whether it's a huge painting, or just celebrating the fact that you sat down and did something creative for a full 30 minutes, finishing a piece creates a rush of pride and accomplishment. It's a reminder that not only did you start something with the best of intentions, but you stuck to it and saw it through to the end. And that's a high you can ride for the rest of the day, and you can do it again tomorrow. And every time you do something creative, you can approach it differently. For example, "yesterday I doodled with pen for 15 minutes...what if I got out some markers and colored for 30 minutes?" or "Yesterday I played with watercolors and made stripes - maybe today I'll try flowers!" And you'll be amazed at how accomplished you'll feel and how much you'll want to keep creating every time you complete a moment of creativity.
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Promotes Creative Problem Solving: According to this study, art has a huge impact on problem solving. Participants "demonstrated that they are more likely to be intentional in their decision making, follow through on tasks, be deliberate in their approaches, approach accidents and difficulties with patience.” Along with the scientific ways, art improves your day to day problem solving and analytical thinking in simpler ways. Creativity is always asking questions - how do you blend certain colors? What shape do I see? What color should I make this part? Does this horse look right? How can I fix this oopsie in my painting? By creating art and engaging in this type of analysis, you are training your brain to think creatively, problem solve on the fly, adapt to new information and grow. Putting your brain in this problem-solving mindset can lead to improved problem solving in your non-creative life. Benefits all around!
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Improves Overall Cognitive Function: Studies show that engaging in artistic activities boosts cognitive function. There is a reason that art therapy is such a wonderful tool for all, including aging brains, dementia patients, young children and more. It engages the function of the whole brain, allows you an outlet to express your feelings, and raises your serotonin levels. And while yes, just viewing art can make this happen, when you actually engage in creating* the art,* your brain is invigorated in ways that are even more intense. There have been studies that credit making physical art - large or small - with increased functional connectivity in the brain as well as enhanced activation of the visual cortex. In short...making art is GOOD for your actual BRAIN!
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Improves Coordination and Dexterity: This one speaks for itself, so I won't say too much. But creating art - whether fine details, large washes of color, pen doodles or even sculpting with dough - your brain and hands are working together. I mentioned hand-eye coordination before, but in addition to working that coordination, you are working on your muscular dexterity. And I don't know about you, but as I get older and those fine movements become more and more difficult, I want to do whatever I can to improve that function.
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Encourages Communication and Socialization: Art opens us up to unexpected conversations. Sharing your work online or even in person can connect you with others. It can start discussions and friendships you might never have formed otherwise. Artists are known to grow communities online and in person. And whether you choose to start a community of your own or join one that already exists, you're opening yourself up to a world of others who you might not have found otherwise. Even if you're introverted, art gives you a way to connect without feeling vulnerable.
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Boosts Self-Esteem: I don't know about you, but I love that feeling when I accomplish something. When I start a task and finish what I set out to do, I feel a sense of pride. And with each completed moment of creativity, I'm pushed to do more, and that makes my skills grow, and my self esteem, in turn, grows with it. There's something empowering about seeing your own ideas come to life, and time you create, you're not only doing something good for your physical brain, but you're affirming your originality. It’s a reminder that you can try new things, take creative risks, and produce something uniquely yours. And THAT is a huge boos of self esteem.
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…Because Having a Hobby is FUN! You know what, if you take nothing else away from this blog, I want you to create art and get creative in your daily life because IT'S FUN. Honestly, the most appealing part of adding creative practice to your life is the fact that making art is enjoyable. It’s playful, experimental, and freeing. You don’t have to be "good" at it — the joy comes from the process itself. Art lets you step outside that mundane routine and tap into that spark inside.
It doesn’t matter if you have natural talent, or even a desire to create "beautiful" work. Art doesn’t have to be shared with the world — it can be just for you, or within a small community of like-minded creators. The true benefits lie in the act of creating, not the end result. So grab a pen, a brush, or whatever you have on hand — and let yourself make art