For as long as I could remember, I've loved art. Whether it was creating art itself, or visiting museums, it was always one of my biggest passions. I’d often visit my local art store, buy a pack of new paints, and go to work on a new still life or portrait. I remember plugging my tablet into my laptop, eager to draw commissions for people I didn’t even know. I would frequently visit museums and admire each precious painting and sculpture there. I loved art, and most importantly, I loved making art. And then for some reason, I stopped.
I lost my drive to create, which was something I thought would never happen to me. For years, art was something I relied on as a creative outlet. Ever since I bought my first sketchbook in 8th grade, I've brought it school every day since then and practiced whenever I had free time. After school, I would get home and continue drawing on my computer with my tablet. This past year, however, I rarely did anything related to art. I would doodle here and there, but not consistently and definitely not with the maximum effort and drive I had a year ago. I didn’t understand why I lost that passion either— I just woke up one day and decided I was done with art.
However, I’ve come to realize that art is my therapy. By creating, I allow myself to take a step back from reality and focus on something that brings me joy. And by stopping, I no longer had that outlet. In that year where I stopped drawing, I have never experienced as much anxiety or stress than I have ever before in my life. I felt like everything was falling apart, and I didn’t understand why I felt that way either. I thought maybe it was because of starting college, and living away from home— and I think a majority of it did come from being in a new environment with new people. But I’ve come to realize, another major part of my anxiety came from the lack of creativity in myself, and the lack of art I was making. Without that outlet, I could no longer rely on something that I relied on throughout my life. Without art, I no longer had a hobby that kept me busy and excited to continue working on a piece. It was almost like a piece of me was missing.
Recently, I’ve been starting to draw again, every day while I’ve been home for the summer. And since I’ve started drawing again, I’ve felt myself becoming happier. I’m excited to draw characters I love, mix colors and paint something I’m proud of. If I’m having a bad day, I get excited and remember that I still have my art, and that will always be a part of me that I can rely on. I can create whatever I want, just with some creative thinking and effort. To me, art makes me feel special, and allows me to be free from worry and anxiety. Our hobbies and talents are the things that make us special. And if you're passionate about something, I encourage you to never let go of it.
