Do you ever feel like you aren’t good enough? That you’re not talented enough, creative enough, or smart enough? Well I’ve got good news for you! Creativity is for everyone. That’s right- everyone! You don’t have to be a trained professional to enjoy drawing, painting, cooking, sewing, baking, making music, singing, dancing, writing, or any other form of creativity.

Although it’s been incredible to see the amazing works of creators all over social media within the last ten years, I think it’s also had an unfortunate side effect. It’s made us feel like if we aren’t producing like other people- if it’s not pinterest worthy or instagram ready- then our work has no value. If our final product doesn’t look as good as theirs, or if we’re not making money off of it- we have no right to create. Nothing could be further from the truth. Creativity does not solely belong to the experts in any craft. Creativity is human. It’s what allows us to connect with our thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and in turn, sparks connection with others.

Creating isn't necessarily about the end product, but more about the process. It allows us to reflect, process our emotions, allowing ourselves to embrace the good and the bad of our circumstances, remind ourselves and others that it's okay to feel, give ourselves permission to let go of what doesn't serve us anymore, or map out a vision of what we hope for our future. Something that was said in the Healing Arts group a few weeks ago still sticks with me and I love the sentiment so much:

"It doesn't have to be perfect to exist"

We so often feel like we have to be perfect, or we have to be “on” all the time. We have to do everything and keep everyone else afloat. We have to keep going. We can't stop. We can't let people know what's really going on inside. If we can't keep up, we aren't worthy of taking up space.

We are our greatest creation - and we do not have to be perfect to exist. Embrace your process. Allow yourself to BE. Be imperfect. Be loud. Be bold. Be gentle. Be strong. Be soft. Be whatever it is that feels right to you- and it's okay if that changes. We are not set it stone.

As we transition to a new year and a new decade, this can be a valuable time to reflect on what is growing and changing in us. Work on a project for the new year - or any time - to pause, decompress, express gratitude, and meditate on this past year. Make a banner to honor where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go.

We invite you to reflect on the following questions as you create your square(s):

What have you learned this year?

How have you grown?

What are you proud of- for yourself, for your relationships, and for your community?

Who do you want to show gratitude for in your life?

When you take the time to be creative - especially through images, words, or music - you create space for healing, growth, and connection with yourself and others. Not to mention, studies have shown drawing and other art forms reduce stress, release anxiety, and boost your mood, so even if you just want to paint your favorite color on a square, write something funny, or scribble and draw lines or patterns- that act alone can be a form of grounding that helps you focus on the here and now.

In the wise words of Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!”

The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate life, reflect on the previous year, and spend time with loved ones. At the same time, it can also be an incredibly stressful time of year for a number of reasons. Whether it’s struggling to make ends meet, mental health issues, physical health issues, coping with the loss of a loved one, or navigating toxic relationships, it can be hard to know how to best take care of yourself when you feel pulled in so many different directions. It’s important to find ways to take care of ourselves and make sure we listen to what we need. Creativity can be a meaningful and important outlet to care for ourselves in a difficult time.

Remember - it's OK to take things one step at a time and enjoy the process, not just the final product.

It doesn’t have to be perfect to exist.

Written by Emily Bagley, Healing Arts intern at the Rape Recovery Center

Emily is an artist who uses drawing, painting, and music to help others find healing, hope and peace. Her passion for arts and education have led her to create and facilitate a number of arts based workshops in the community that help participants explore topics like self acceptance, identity, and who they want to become. She is the co-founder of the Women’s Group, WeCan - a group that covers topics like healthy sexuality, mental health, physical health, toxic stress, mindfulness and meditation, women’s health, boundaries, and communication.

In her free time, Emily enjoys painting, drawing, playing music, hiking, and taking things slow. She lives in Bountiful with her husband, sister, brother-in-law, and their 3 adorable dogs.