When I step outside of everyday responsibilities and think about life itself, my mind tends to drift toward the need to create and why I feel so drawn to it.
For me, creating feels like a language. It's a way to communicate and express myself. I feel strange when I'm not creating, almost like my mind needs something to do. Even when I don't know why I want to create something or what it will become, I just feel the need to do it.
I've been experimenting with different things lately, and I find myself getting excited about all the possibilities.
Recently, my daughter and I started experimenting with paper mâché. We're making a penguin, and as we were working, my mind started going to all the different things we could make and build and how cool it would be to see some of those ideas come to life.
I've also recently dove into creating my own press-on nails. This is something I hadn't really considered before because I thought you had to be a nail technician to do nail art. But once I started exploring it, I found myself going down rabbit holes, learning about different techniques, materials, possibilities, and even the potential complications.
I don't think I'm going to pursue selling them because it's highly involved, but the act of exploring it and learning that I can do it is what brings me satisfaction. And now I feel equipped to make some fun nails for special occasions, holidays, or whenever I just feel like it.
And that has me thinking about something else.
I think there's an underlying thought in the back of my mind that creative time needs to produce something tangible to be worthwhile. Something to display, share, perform, or sell.
But what about the experience of creating?
I get a lot of satisfaction from experimenting and seeing what I can do. I can completely lose track of time when I'm creating, and I get excited to see the results. Sometimes I even surprise myself because there would have been a time in the past when I thought something wasn't possible.
I like that feeling of discovering what I can do.
Of course, I enjoy showing what I've made. I like the idea that others can get enjoyment from my pieces or relate to something I've created. But I also think there's something to be said about creating without the purpose of selling or producing something for someone else.
The experience I get from creating something can't be bought because it's mine.
Life has been busy lately. Between schedules, commitments, taking care of my medical health, and an upcoming sinus surgery, I sometimes get overwhelmed when everything starts stacking up. I know that my need for routine plays a part in that, and when those routines are disrupted, it can be difficult for me to function and pivot.
Creating gives me somewhere to put my mind. It allows me to escape some of the anxiety and constant thoughts about what needs to be done. My mind is still active, but instead of thinking about schedules and responsibilities, I'm thinking about what I can make, how something might work, or what would happen if I tried something different.
I don't always have a plan or even know why I'm drawn to making something. Sometimes I just want to see what happens.
I think creating art is an extension of me. It's something I need to do, not necessarily because I need another object to display or something to sell, but because of what I experience while making it.
And I think that's something I've been realizing more and more.
When I feel creative, anything feels possible.
