This past summer while I was trying to figure out some hobbies of mine that weren't working out and playing sports, I dabbled in painting and drawing. Spending hours on end trying to create something halfway decent was frustrating since I realized I was no good - well, it wasn't good enough to post my art on my Instagram story. However, creating something I manifested myself allowed me to take the time to focus on something that wasn't stressing me out and release emotions that I was holding inside.
In fact, I find this to be true for the arts of all kinds. Singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or creating something, I was left feeling better than I did before I started. In fact, this phenomenon is nothing new. It is no secret that using the creative parts of our brain releases "feel good" chemicals that do just that. So, why are we letting comparison steal us from these unique, creative joys?
Just because our singing may be off-key, our coloring outside of the lines, or our dancing just spastic movements, that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy ourselves in the process. As someone who has no coordination or rhythm whatsoever, any of my friends or family members will be able to tell you that my dancing skills are something that is definitely not pretty. However, I love dancing because it allows me to express my emotions in a way that is active and creative at the same time. Or even when it comes to painting, I am definitely not the most skilled artist. In fact, the only piece of artwork I have created that is decent enough to hang on my dorm room wall is a picture of a sun. However, painting is something that I find so enjoyable because it takes patience, practice, and just allows our creativity to flow.
I know I'm not the only one who gets discouraged when I see that my creative abilities are not the best. Sometimes, I even put off doing some of those things because I feel I am no good, even though they make me feel better about myself and about life in general. There is something so beautiful, satisfying, and rewarding about finishing a creative project, yet we're too scared to go for it because we think we aren't allowed to enjoy it since we're "no good."
Well, it is time for all of us to break up with that common misconception and start letting ourselves enjoy these things that make us happier, even if we subjectively believe we're no good. Do what makes your world a better place to be because, at the end of the day, we are the creators of our own reality. Scream off-key at the top of your lungs, paint a blob of random colors, and randomly strum at a guitar. Just because we may not be the best at these things, doesn't mean we aren't allowed to enjoy them.
