Putting Trust in Creative Play – Letting Go of Fear and Liberating Your Authentic Self

At The Studio Authentic, we believe that significant change can start with the simple act of practicing creativity.

Have you ever purchased a creative project of some sort – a paint-by-number kit, a paper wreath-making kit, a coloring book, or a crisp, clean, expensive journal you planned to devote solely to Zen-doodles – and just knew it would inspire you to create more? You thought, “This is going to launch an ongoing practice of creativity in me! Today’s the day!” You looked forward to the project with a great amount of enthusiasm!

And then you started it… and you lost interest. After a while, maybe boredom set in. It sat on the dining room table for a few days – untouched. You ended up packing it away, only to discover it years later, covered in dust. You had a thoughtful moment of reflection on all the wishes you had for that project and what it represented… and then you threw it, in all its unfinished glory, into the trash. And you threw a little bit of your creative self in the trash with it.

Or maybe you finished it! And you thought, “Well, that was fun, but I don’t exactly feel inspired to keep going.” So, you packed it away, only to find it years later, covered in dust. You reflected on all the hopes you had for starting that project… and then you either threw it away, gave it away, or repacked it, thinking you simply couldn’t get rid of something you spent so much time on.

Or maybe you’re the person who habitually scrolls through Instagram and Pinterest, saving all these examples of creativity but never actually trying any of them.

If this resonates with you – welcome to The Studio Authentic. This will be your new home to learn how to embrace creativity, find your home within practicing creativity, and use it for maximum personal discovery. I’ll get into more of what The Studio is all about later – for now, let me get back to sharing why I think some people who so desperately want to be creative… can’t.

We, as a society, are not in short supply of creative people. There are public places devoted to celebrating creative professionals – art museums and galleries and artist communities, concert halls and music venues, cinemas and theatres. There are highly revered positions that celebrate creative business practices – writers, copy editors, art directors, architects, interior designers, etc. And there are places to showcase creativity online like Etsy, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok. We live in a world where people exercising their creativity are blasted in front of us 24/7.

And in all that blasting away and mindless scrolling – all that creativity we’re faced with from other people – we are pushed further away from developing our own creativity. Why? Why don’t all these examples motivate us to seek our own creativity? Here’s why: we don’t understand how to create for the sake of our own personal discovery and fulfillment. It’s good old-fashioned fear that gets in our way of being creative. We think that whatever it is we are creating has to BE something in the end – when we should be focusing on what we’re learning about ourselves WHILE we create.

Early in my interior design studies, I had a design professor who started each studio session with a creative exercise. We took a large, maybe 18” x 24” blank piece of sketch paper and a set of chalk pastels. She would put on a piece of music, something very different each time, and we had to put color to the paper – fast. For the next 3-1/2 minutes, we were expected to put color on every square inch of that paper. We weren’t allowed to DRAW anything representational. Just color to the paper. We were to feel the music and let our hands and our minds wander.

That very first day, I sat there thinking, “What?!” What if my finished work doesn’t make sense? What if it’s not… visually appealing? I like white space! How can I be expected to cover every inch of this paper – in 3-1/2 minutes? How do I start? And these were questions from someone quite comfortable with abstract design, but also rooted in complete perfection. Fear reigned in that moment.

Do you know how quickly one can get out of their own way when they are forced to cover an 18” x 24” piece of paper with color in 3-1/2 minutes… for a grade? You learn to let go and get on with the task at hand. And as the semester progressed, I became very comfortable with that exercise and learned so much from it.

This was the first time I experienced creating without a tangible, visibly pleasing, purposeful end result by MY definition. It wasn’t about putting something to paper. It wasn’t about making something pleasing to look at. It was all about getting out of my head and getting into the proper mindset to do the project work I was faced with in that three-hour studio.

It was the beginning of my understanding of the importance of creating simply for the sake of creating, without worrying about the outcome or seeking external validation. This practice of creating to let go for discovery’s sake allowed me to embrace creativity without fear. Not only did it help me unlock my potential for that day’s design work in that studio session, but it was also the beginning of my journey to use creativity for maximum personal discovery in my life: career, relationship shifts, emotional healing… all leading to clear answers for “What’s Next” in life transitions.

This is not only what I learned, but what I continue to practice today, and what the creation of The Studio Authentic is all about:

Embrace the Process, Not the Outcome

One of the biggest barriers to creativity is the pressure to produce something worthy of admiration. We often think our work must be perfect, shareable, and worthy of praise. This mindset stifles creativity. Instead, try focusing on the process rather than the outcome. Enjoy the act of creating without any expectations.

Overcoming the Fear of Imperfection

Fear of imperfection often paralyzes us. We worry our work won’t measure up to our standards or those of others. Accepting that imperfection is a natural part of the creative process can liberate you. Your creations don’t have to be perfect; they just have to be yours.

Making Time for Creativity

In our busy lives, finding time for creativity can be challenging. We need to schedule regular creative sessions, just as we would any important appointment. We should dedicate time to explore, experiment, and play. Remember, this time is for you – not for anyone else.

Finding Your Creative Voice

Everyone’s creative voice is unique. It’s easy to get lost in the sea of others’ creations, but remember that your perspective and expression are valuable. Spend time exploring different mediums and techniques to discover what resonates with you. I will share more about my own personal journey into discovering how paper became a “safe” material for me at another time.

The Joy of Creating for Yourself

Creating for yourself, without the need for external validation, can be incredibly fulfilling. It allows you to explore your thoughts, emotions, and ideas freely. This personal discovery can lead to greater self-awareness and satisfaction by providing clarity and courage to make serious change in your life.

The Studio Authentic will nurture your inner creative by helping you focus on the joy of creation and the personal insights it brings. The more you discover what the creative process can provide in the way of clarity, the more your creativity will flourish. At The Studio Authentic, you will learn to let go of the fear and embrace the freedom of your own creativity, leading you to personal discovery.

Welcome to The Studio Authentic, where your journey of personal discovery through creativity begins.