I started making art as a kid because it felt good. I liked how it made me feel calm, focused, and alive.
Now, I see the same thing in my own children. They naturally gravitate toward art when they need peace, when they want to slow down, or when they’re trying to work something out. Watching them create reminds me how instinctive and healing that urge is. Making art comes before language. It’s something we’re born knowing how to do.
But as we get older, something often shifts. Art becomes more about the outcome than the experience. We start to measure ourselves against others. We keep going if we think we’re “good” at it, and quietly step away if we believe we’re not. That exploratory, healing space gets replaced with self-judgment, or we simply get too busy to make time for it.
Throughout my schooling, I began to care more about how things looked. I was learning to bring an idea to life, and that was exciting. But I still didn’t know how essential art would become in my adult life.
Now, art is how I process life. It’s how I pray, how I grieve, how I heal, and how I ask big questions. It’s where I work through things I don’t yet have words for. It helps me come back to myself and remember what matters. When I’m painting regularly, I feel more grounded, more present, and more connected. I’m simply happier!
After years of teaching in schools, studios, and community spaces, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful creativity is for people. It doesn’t matter if someone has a background in art or not. When people allow themselves to explore, play, or make something with their hands, something shifts. Their energy softens. They stop holding their breath. They get quiet and present. And so often, I hear the same thing: “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”
I’ve watched people light up when they reconnect with a part of themselves they didn’t realize was missing. I’ve seen art bring healing, insight, and joy in the most unexpected ways. It’s not about making something perfect. It’s about making space for yourself.
Creative expression helps regulate the nervous system. It reduces stress and brings clarity. It gives the thinking mind a rest and opens up new ways of seeing. Whether it’s painting, writing, dancing, gardening, or anything else, the act of creating reminds us that we are alive. That we can shape something. That we can find meaning in the mess.
You don’t need fancy tools or a studio to begin. You just need a little time and the willingness to show up. Even ten minutes of creative play can shift your day. It’s not indulgent; it’s necessary!
I believe the world would be a more compassionate, balanced place if everyone made space for creativity each day. It helps us slow down, be with ourselves, and move through life with more presence. It also invites a sense of freedom that feels true to who we are.
If it’s been a while, try something small. Doodle, make a collage, or even write a few lines in a journal. Start without expectation and let yourself enjoy it. You don’t have to be an artist to make art, because you were made to create. Your soul will thank you for it.