Trusting the Process

I've always considered myself an artist—after all, I do have a bachelor's in arts (architecture, but still). As I mentioned before, I was an only child for the first 15 years, so I spent a lot of quality time with myself. My parents encouraged art as an outlet whenever I said, "I'm bored." My dad would respond with, "Only boring people are bored." Oh, thanks, Dad—that's sure to get me excited. But I digress. Today, I want to talk about the four things I do to get into my creative groove and trust the process.

Don't know where to start, scroll to the bottom and check out a collage I've made to spark some creative fires lol

Disclaimer: I know creativity can be scary. Many of us, including myself, get comfortable with the familiar. However, creativity is about taking risks and preparing for the possibility of failure. And failure doesn't always look like what we expect—it can be an opportunity for a new path, a reset, or just a small scratch on the board. Allow yourself to fail—once, twice, or even a hundred times. But keep trying and keep growing!

1. Give Yourself Permission to Try

What have you been drawn to lately? Take a minute and sit in the silence... Ok, minute over. Was it a video you saw, an outfit you wanted to recreate, or a painting style you wanted to try? Now, take a few of those ideas and run with them—no limits, just thoughts. And just so you know, whatever you do, it'll be great. I’m here to give you unbridled confidence, to hype you up for the next step—and the one I consider the hardest.

2. Put It on Paper

Write it down, video it, and just start. I'm a visual person—seeing is believing. Taking your ideas and making them tangible removes the pressure. Once it's out there, it’s time to start. Take it slow, enjoy the process with intention, and just do it. And I mean actually do the creative part—start painting, try on the outfit, start writing. Look at you... you’re doing it! Keep going!

3. Sit with It

You’re done! Well, sort of. Not really, but you did it. Now’s the time to sit back and reflect on your work. Thank yourself for putting in the effort and stepping out of your comfort zone. Let it stare back at you, and just sit with it. Maybe take a moment to critique it (but be kind).

4. Frame It... or Try Again

Show it to your mom, a friend, or your 17 TikTok followers. Even if you don’t love it, share it with someone. Chances are, people will like it and want to see more. Maybe your mom will even put it on her fridge. Take pride in your work and go from there. Watch and research other creatives you admire, and incorporate something from their practice into your newfound creative process. Then, do it all over again.

Now I want you to try following my four steps in your next creative endeavor, no matter how big or small it is, and let me know how it works for you! What helps you get in the groove or out of a rut when it comes to trusting the process?