Why I Make Art Even When I Don’t Feel Like It

I feel the urge to create often, and I don’t always listen. I’m getting better at it, though. There’s always something calling for attention: laundry, dishes, answering emails, organizing the junk drawer. Procrastination knows how to disguise itself as productivity.

It’s that voice in the back of your head saying, “I really should do this first.” And suddenly, art gets bumped down the list. Again.

But here’s the thing about me, and maybe you too.
Every single time I make something, I feel better.

That doesn’t mean the thing I make is always beautiful, meaningful, or even close to what I imagined. But something shifts. Even when I’m not thrilled with what I’ve made, I learn something. And learning is a win, right? Especially when it helps us grow into better humans - kinder to others and to ourselves.

Making art is part of that kind of learning.

And some days, I surprise myself. I like what I make. So I keep going. 

​What's your favorite excuse for not making art? 

Making art doesn't always start with inspiration. Sometimes it starts with just sitting down.