You’re Allowed to Be a Beginner
Have you ever wanted to try something creative and immediately thought, “I’d be terrible at that”?
When you spend your days making decisions, solving problems, and being the person others depend on, being new at something can feel uncomfortable. Even when it’s something you’re doing for yourself.
In Episode 4 of You Are a Work of Art, we’re talking about enjoying creativity before you’re good at it—and giving yourself room to find out what you like.
A pottery cup with very specific proportions
I went into a pottery class excited to make a cute coffee mug. What I got back was thick, chunky, too small for coffee, and too big for espresso.
I don’t even know where that cup is now.
But I remember the class. Getting my hands messy. Laughing. Needing help with the clay and being able to keep going once someone showed me how.
The finished cup wasn’t the only thing I got from that experience.
In this episode
We talk about:
Why being a beginner can feel strange when you’re used to being capable.
Trying something because you’re curious, without knowing whether it will become your thing.
Exploring a new creative activity without buying every supply.
What making my husband a journal taught me about unexpected enjoyment.
Letting yourself learn, ask for help, and laugh along the way.
You can enjoy getting better at something. You can also enjoy it while you’re still figuring it out.
Creative Reset: Let Yourself Be a Beginner
For this reset, we’re trying two ways of drawing the same object. You don’t need drawing experience.
You’ll need: Paper, a pen or pencil, and a simple object you can place in front of you. A mug or leaf works well.
1. Draw without looking at your paper.
Keep your eyes open and focused on your object. Start at one edge and slowly follow it with your eyes while your hand draws what you notice. Try to keep your pen touching the paper.
Give yourself about two minutes. If you accidentally peek, bring your attention back to the object and continue.
2. Look at what happened.
Is there a line you like? Something unexpected? Something that makes you smile?
You don’t need to fix it.
3. Draw again while looking.
Choose one detail of the object—or the whole thing—and use a fresh space on your page. This time, look back and forth between the object and your drawing.
Notice where the lines bend and which shapes you can see. Spend a few minutes exploring.
4. Notice the experience.
What did you notice about your object? How did you feel during each drawing?
The second drawing doesn’t need to prove that you can make a better picture. Let both drawings be a record of something you tried.
Keep creating with From Seed to Bloom
Would a little guidance help you begin?
From Seed to Bloom is a free 5-day creative journey to reconnect with yourself—one 10-minute creative reset at a time.
You’ll receive a workbook by email right away, and I’ll guide you through five simple pencil-and-paper exercises over the next five days. It’s a place to notice what you need, explore what you enjoy, and make a little room for yourself.
Mentioned in this episode
Crafter — the resource I used to explore bookbinding and make my husband a journal.
The Creative Courtyard — join us to keep creating together.
What’s something you’re curious enough to try, even if you’re a complete beginner?