What type of creative expression have you always wanted to pursue? What do you do that makes your heart soar? What fills your cup? What can you do for hours on end and not count the hours or even know you have passed the time? Do you have the answer yet? Maybe you do. Or, maybe, it’s something you have yet to discover.
For me, I love baking. I love everything about it. I enjoy the aromas in the kitchen hours after I have taken cookies out of the oven. I love being able to mix and measure (or not measure) and make a creation that is totally my own. I like that there are so many types of goodies that can be created – from pies to four-layer cakes to brownies to blondies to cookies to bundt cakes … the list is endless. I like knowing that through baking, it makes someone else smile. Someone else gets to enjoy something that I have created – you know, sort of like a labor of love. And of course, I love to eat all the things. But, the one thing I love the most is that in that creative space for me, I don’t have to do anything perfect. I don’t have to follow the directions. I don’t have to compare my baked good against anyone else’s baked good. I don’t have a specific time limit. It is a space with no judgment (unless of course, I burn a batch of cookies!). The kitchen is a space filled with joy for me. A space where my kids and I can make memories getting messy and enjoying each other’s company. A space where I can experiment and think outside the box – And although there are directions, I don’t have to follow them. It’s sort of freeing 🙂
You see? I am not someone who thinks outside the box. I am actually a very concrete thinker. I am not naturally creative – unless of course, I look through Pinterest. BUT, although I am not naturally creative, the kitchen is where I can create unabashedly. It’s my creative outlet. It’s my happy place. It’s my canvas. What is yours? Do you like to paint? What about draw? Do you sing or dance? How about coloring? Do you like to be outside? What makes your heart beam? Is there something that you do that makes you feel free?
Yes? Do more of that. No? Find what your creative outlet is. You don’t need to do research. Find the thing that allows you to let down your guard. Where is that space that gives you freedom and joy? What makes your heart feel content?
I know many days just baking a batch of brownies brings joy to my heart. I can bake and enjoy. Bake and provide joy to someone else. Bake and get messy. It all adds up to joy for me.
Whatever your creative outlet is, find YOUR thing. I promise you will experience more joy because of it.
Erin Nash, MS, EdS, APC