Have you ever lost your love for something you once cherished? Art was my passion—until the pressures of life and the need for perfection dimmed that spark. Here’s how I’m finding my way back to creativity, this time with no strings attached.
Why I Stopped Creating Art?
For the longest time, art was my escape. But as life became more demanding, that escape turned into another box to check. Moving to a new city meant adjusting to a different lifestyle, which brought its own set of challenges. My job as a teacher left me exhausted, and on top of work, there were always household responsibilities waiting to be handled. Somewhere along the way, my creative energy just… ran out.
Every time I thought about picking up a paintbrush or pencil, I felt the weight of expectation. Creating no longer felt like a joy but a chore. The stress and exhaustion drained the passion that once fueled my art. What had been an act of self-expression became a distant memory, buried under the mountain of my day-to-day to-do list.
Rediscovering the Joy of Creating for Myself
But now, I’m picking up my paintbrush again. And this time, there’s a difference: I’m creating just for me. No expectations, no need for validation, no perfect final product. Just the act of showing up.
Art isn’t just a skill( it’s work in progress) I have—it’s a part of me. It’s how I find calm in the chaos, and how I stay connected to myself. I don’t want to lose that. I don’t want to feel rusty or disconnected from the artist inside me. This isn’t about becoming a professional artist or creating something flawless. It’s about reconnecting with who I am.
I’m allowing myself to make mistakes, to experiment, and to create without fear. Instead of obsessing over each line, I’m learning to embrace the process. Each stroke, each imperfect doodle—it’s all a reminder that creating can be simple, personal, and beautifully imperfect.
Embracing the Process, Not the Product
For a long time, I was stuck in a cycle of creating to achieve. I thought my art had to be perfect to matter, or that it needed to earn me money to be “real” art. But that mindset only led to burnout.
Now, my mission is different: to explore my creativity without outside pressures. I’m focusing on the journey, not the destination. There’s no race against the clock and no need for approval. My only goal is to make something, even if it’s just for myself.
Without the need for perfection, every brushstroke, every smudge of paint, becomes a way to grow. It’s freeing to let go of the idea of “finished” and instead just show up and create.
Art for Personal Growth and Self-Expression
This isn’t about impressing others anymore. This is for me—for my own peace of mind, my growth, and my love for the art itself. I want to feel the gentle glide of a paintbrush across the canvas, the soothing rhythm of watercolors blending together. There’s a magic in the way the colors bleed, like a quiet sigh of relief I can only find in paint.
I want to hold a pencil in my hand, to see the light traces of thought taking shape on paper. It’s an intimate, silent dialogue between my mind and the page. And then, there’s the simple joy of using a crayon again—holding that waxy warmth in my hand, filling the page with bursts of color. This process isn’t about chasing a finished product. It’s about the freedom of expression and the joy of creating something just because.
Every time I sit down to draw or paint, I remind myself that it’s okay to make mistakes. It’s okay to try something, mess it up, and try again. I’m not creating to reach some perfect end—I’m creating to reconnect with myself.
Exploring New Art Forms: Madhubani, Pichwai, and Nature-Inspired Techniques
One of the most thrilling parts of this creative journey is the chance to finally explore art forms I never had the opportunity to try before. Growing up, simple yet fascinating techniques like vegetable stamping and leaf printing were overlooked or never fully explored—missed opportunities that feel like forgotten treasures from my childhood. The thought of using vegetables to create textures and patterns, or pressing leaves onto paper to capture their delicate imprints, feels like rediscovering a playful and organic form of creativity that was always just out of reach.
But beyond these childhood missed chances, there’s a world of rich traditions I’m eager to dive into. Madhubani art, with its mesmerizing patterns and stories woven into every stroke, beckons me to explore its intricate beauty. Likewise, the spiritual and symbolic imagery of Pichwai art, with its stunning depictions of mythological tales, calls to me as a new avenue for creative expression. I also find myself fascinated by the idea of lip pan art, a modern take on expression that merges personal creativity with cultural influences.
This journey isn’t just about reclaiming what I missed in the past—it’s about embracing a future of endless creative possibilities. Each of these art forms offers a new adventure, a chance to learn, grow, and express myself in ways I’ve never experienced before. I’m excited to explore them all, and I can’t wait to see where this artistic path will take me.
Showing Up: The Key to Reconnecting with Creativity
I’ve come to realize that the only way to truly improve is by showing up. Every sketch, every splash of color, every experiment brings me closer to the artist I want to be. It’s not about making a masterpiece—it’s about showing up for myself and allowing myself to grow.
If you’ve found yourself disconnected from your creativity, I encourage you to start again, too. It’s okay to step back, to pause, and to let go of expectations. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just show up, pick up a pencil or brush, and let yourself create. The rest will follow.