When you think of creativity, what comes to mind? Is it an art savant working furiously at their 6- foot canvas with aggressive brush strokes? Or do you picture your favorite songwriter in the studio rewriting and revising their next big hit until it sounds just right? Many of us think that creativity is isolated to the arts; however, for many of us who are less artistically inclined, is creativity a muscle that is left wasting away, with no outlet to hold its product? Are the rest of us left consuming, whether it’s Netflix or social media, or left answering the tasks of others? Work is constantly demanding that we abide by a set standard of rules and produce something that fits in line with what is expected. Our relationships and familial obligations often require that we show up as the same people, with the same personalities that our loved ones have come to associate with us. Days blend into each other as we engage in the same monotony of routine, and before we know it, another year has passed and all we can remember is how heavy our responsibilities were.

I argue each of us needs a creative outlet, where the unforgiving tasks of society can be set aside for just a moment, where our headspace of consumption can be replaced with creation, where we can focus on doing something solely for ourselves, and without judging the product. If creativity requires that we create something, then the answer lies in examining the last thing that we had a part in creating, whether that’s the last time you cooked dinner, and you had to improvise a few ingredients that weren’t in the fridge, or made up a fairytale for a niece or nephew on the spot that would put Disney to shame. Each of us has this ability to create new solutions; the question is, how can we use it for our own self-care.

Playing basketball multiple times a week for several years has allowed me to try new things to remove myself from expectations, to be comfortable with failure, and to exercise a part of my brain that work and school have trouble fulfilling. In turn it has been an incredibly pure form of self care that does not rely on anyone else. By cultivating a creative hobby that we can go to in times of our greatest need, we prove to ourselves that wellness is within us, and that we simply need to tap into it.

This isn’t to say that our creativity cannot serve others, however. The embroidered pillow that you have been working on after weeks of trial and error can be the perfect birthday gift for the person you never know what to get. The cake that you are trying new flavour combinations with could make all the difference for your friend with a sweet tooth who is having a rough day. We are built for connection, both within ourselves and with the outside world, and a creative outlet can facilitate both simultaneously.

Here are some ways that you can find your creative spark and implement it consistently in your life:

1. Look for community programs through groups you are already connected to

a. Finding a creative outlet through a new hobby can be overwhelming, trying something new with familiar faces opens up doors to different interests

2. Embrace failure and trying something new:

a. Be okay with the fact that it came out different than what you anticipated

b. Give yourself the grace to let go of whatever activities do not serve you, but don’t discount activities that you still think could benefit you although you had a rough start

3. Prioritize your outlet:

a. Just as we’d let go of other responsibilities momentarily if we had a doctor’s appointment to attend to a physical injury, being direct about needing a scheduled time every day, week or month to engage in your creative outlet is crucial to getting the most out of it

Self-care begins with intentional effort towards something that breaks up our schedules, an activity we can look forward to and that demands little while giving much more in return. Finding our creative spark can replace the breakneck speed of daily obligations and mundane routine with a more intentional pace where we reserve time for ourselves. In trying new things while daring to fail, we can find what truly fills our cup and realize that we have all the tools we need to take control of our own happiness.

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