Everyone is creative. Even you.
Bluey draws a dragon.
I can’t tell you how many times friends and colleagues of mine have said, “I’m just not creative.” I get it…you don’t feel creative. But the thing is, you are.
What if you took AP Spanish and by your senior year of high school you were basically fluent, but then you didn’t speak, read, or write it for 20 years. Would you still be almost fluent? No. You might be able to get by in a foreign country, or maybe not even. (This is me, btw).
Maybe you were a state champion athlete but haven’t played since. Do you think you’d have the same coordination, strength, and technique without years of practice? You might retain some skills but would be far from the athletic machine you once were.
How about driving? Would you feel confident getting behind the wheel after taking a years-long hiatus? You see where I’m going.
“I Didn’t Give Up! That’s The Difference.”
For the parents out there: There’s an episode of Bluey (“Dragon,” Season 3, Episode 43) where Bluey asks Bandit (her dad) to help her draw a dragon for her story, but Bandit’s not very good at drawing. Caution, spoilers ahead.
When Chilli (Bluey’s mom) and Bingo (Bluey’s sister) join in, Bluey’s impressed by how beautifully Chilli draws her horse. Bluey, feeling self-conscious about her own drawing of a dragon that turned out a bit too round, decides to call it Humpty Dumpty instead.
It's only after Chilli shares a story about learning to draw as a child, with Grandma's encouragement to keep practicing, that Bluey realizes improvement comes with practice. (Conversely, Bandit had shared a story about how a classmate made fun of his drawing when he was a kid, and he hadn’t drawn since).
Inspired by this, Bluey gains the confidence to draw a beautiful dragon and complete her story.
Spoiler Alert: Creativity is not a secret club
We might not all be creative geniuses. We start with different inherent strengths and go from there. But the point is, you’ll never get better if you don’t keep going. Start somewhere. Flex your creative muscles. Let go of fear and self-consciousness and let that freak flag fly!
Here are my tips on letting your creative self shine.
Embrace the Mess:
Creativity isn’t about staying in the lines; it’s about splashing color everywhere and having fun. Have you ever noticed kids have the most fun when you’re not enforcing rules and cleanliness? Forget the idea of “right” and “wrong.” As I tell my own kids, there are no mistakes in art. Your unique messy process is what makes your creativity sparkle.
Rip Up the Rulebook:
And on that note. What I love about creativity is that she is the ultimate rebel. Painting? Writing? Making music? Decorating a room? News flash: You can literally do whatever you want. Toss the rulebook out the window. The fear of “doing it wrong” kills the vibe. Experiment, take risks, and enjoy the scenic route. The best stories come from detours.
High Five to Failure:
Failure is just a plot twist in your story. Edison didn’t nail the light bulb on the first try (or the tenth). Each “failure” was just a step to success. There will be hiccups and oops moments along the way—they’re badges of honor. Do it again, do it differently, cover it up, walk away and come back to it tomorrow. Do whatever you have to do to feel OK about not getting it perfect the first time.
Mindfulness for the Win:
Hear me out. Generally I’m not big on preaching mindfulness because surprise, I’m not very good at it myself. Practice what you preach and all that. But when I think of mindfulness when it comes to creativity, it isn’t just meditation and zen and yoga. It’s about being present. Some of my best ideas come from when I’m going for a walk outside. No headphones, no talking, no distractions – just fresh air, clear head, and creativity doing its happy dance. Plus, it’s a great excuse to appreciate the good stuff around you.
Team Up:
Sometimes creativity is a solo session. And sometimes it’s a jam session. I have friends who I’ll reach out to and schedule a coffee + creativity date: meet at a local coffee shop, share your ideas, brainstorm, get funky. Some of the best creations and solutions happen when different minds collide. Your idea + someone else’s = pure magic. Better yet, let go of the reins when you’re doing a project or craft with your kids. Let them take over. They’ll be so much freer in their own thinking if you’re not trying to control the outcome of the art they’re trying to make.
Bluey’s mom and dad have different drawing abilities because one kept practicing and one didn’t.
So, what’s the moral of Bluey’s story? It’s simple: Creativity is a skill that needs practice and nurturing. Just like learning a language, playing a sport, or even driving a car, creativity requires regular exercise to thrive.
Bluey didn’t give up, and neither should you. Whether it’s drawing a dragon, writing a story, or starting a new project, your creativity is a muscle that will grow stronger with use. So, embrace the mess, rip up the rulebook, high five your failures, and find your creative flow.
You don’t need to be a prodigy or a genius; you just need to start. Let go of fear and self-consciousness, and let your creativity shine. Remember, creativity isn’t a secret club—it’s a backyard barbecue, and everyone’s invited.
Bluey images: BLUEY™ and character logo™ and © Ludo Studio. Licensed by BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. Source: https://www.bluey.tv/watch/season-3/dragon/ (a commercial website from BBC Studios).
