8 Simple Truths to Help You Reconnect With Your Creativity

You don’t need to be an artist to live a creative life — you just need to remember how.

There’s a spark in all of us that wants to come out and play. It doesn’t care if you’ve taken a class, sold a painting, or ever picked up a paintbrush at all. It just wants a chance to show up.

We usually call that spark creativity. But somewhere along the way, most of us learned to hold it back, or to hand it over completely to “the talented ones.” If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “I’m just not the creative type,” this list is for you.

Creativity Isn’t Just for Artists

We’ve been taught that creativity belongs to painters, musicians, and writers — people who are “good” at it. But that’s not really true. Creativity is simply a natural energy in all of us. It shows up when you solve a tricky problem at work, just as much as when someone paints a picture. It’s not a members-only club.

You Weren’t Born Doubting Yourself — You Learned It

Think back to school or home when you were little: color inside the lines, copy it exactly, get the good grade. Bit by bit, we learned that creativity was something to be judged and graded. That idea didn’t go away as we grew up — it just stayed quietly in the background. Noticing this is the first step to letting it go.

Watch the Things You Say About Yourself

“I’m not creative.” “I have no talent.” “That’s just not me.” Say something enough times, and it starts to feel true, even if it isn’t. Our words shape how we see ourselves. Reconnecting with your creative side starts with catching these small put-downs and asking yourself — is that really true, or is it just something I’ve said for years?

It’s Not About Talent — It’s About Access

If you’ve believed for years that you’re “not creative,” it’s probably not because you lack skill. It’s because no one ever showed you how to start. Creativity isn’t a rare gift some people are born with. It’s something everyone already has — it just needs a way in.

Get Back in Touch With Your Inner Child

Before rules and grades, you were a kid who made things just because it felt fun — no pressure, no audience, no reason needed. That playful part of you is still there. Getting back to your creative self often starts with learning to play again, without worrying about the result.

“Creative” and “Artistic” Are Not the Same Thing

We often use these words like they mean the same thing, but they don’t. Being artistic usually means you’ve learned a skill — like painting or playing an instrument. Being creative is more natural — it’s how you throw together a meal with what’s in the fridge, or how you make a hard day feel a little lighter. You don’t have to be artistic to be creative. One is a skill you build. The other is already in you.

Make Creativity Part of Your Everyday Life

Creativity doesn’t need to happen only in a studio or on a big project. It can show up in small, everyday moments — the way you set the table, the pace of your evening walk, or making a cup of tea slowly instead of rushing it. When you treat creativity as a regular part of your day instead of a rare event, it becomes something that grounds you.

Every Small Act of Making Counts

You don’t need a finished, polished piece for it to count as creative. A messy doodle, a few lines in a journal, or simply sitting quietly and noticing what’s around you — these all count. This isn’t about becoming a different, more “artistic” version of yourself. It’s about coming back to who you already are.

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A Simple Practice to Try

Next time you feel pulled toward something you’ve always wanted to try, pause for a second. Notice how it feels in your body — often somewhere around your chest. Let yourself feel that pull instead of pushing it away. It’s worth paying attention to.

Creativity was never meant to be a performance. It’s something you’re always welcome to come back to — and it’s already yours.

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Thanks for stopping by! If you want to keep exploring creative living with me, join my Substack community, 'Dear Creative Rebel' for the creatively curious. For daily art inspiration and glimpses into my creative practice, come say hi on Instagram @shialynnart