When I was a little girl I loved playing with crayons

"I remember when I was a little girl I loved to playing with crayons. I would draw on anything I could get my hands on.

I’d scribble pictures of me, Mum and Dad and my little brother with our dog. I’d make pictures of my house, and castles and rainbows and flowers. It didn’t matter that they didn’t look like real life – I just loved them so much and I wanted to draw and colour for fun.

It made me really happy spending hours imagining, dreaming up new things – my world felt so light and sunny then … well I think it was. But now I don’t do any of that at all, I’m too busy and I can’t create – which is actually quite sad, don’t you think?"

I don’t know how many times I have heard similar stories to this one. In fact 90% of the people I meet, when I tell them I am an Artist and Creative Coach, say things like …

“That’s great, you’re so talented – but I’m not, I can’t even draw a straight line” or

“My sister in the artistic one in my family, I didn’t get that gene” or

“I might manage a stick figure, but I am rubbish at art”.

I can relate to all of this, because I didn’t think I was an artist – for 20 years I did nothing arty. It was a frivolous waste of time – I thought. I was way too busy doing ‘important’ stuff like working, or redecorating the house, or shopping for things I didn’t actually need.

What I wasn’t doing was allowing my creativity to flow and I was denying my true self. Darn it let’s just say it “I was just downright BORING.”

While I was denying my creativity I was also denying myself in lots of other ways too. Because while I was telling myself I was not an artist, I was also telling myself I couldn’t….. travel by myself, have an adventure weekend, go to a show on my own, or even sit in a café or have dinner by myself – my life was so small and it was no one’s fault but my own. Those things were for other women, not for me.

But then at the age of 38 I re-discovered that creative adventure in me and to cut a long story short I’m now living my dreams on the other side of the world in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand. As the locals call it “A slice of heaven”.

That's my story but what are you telling yourself you can’t do? Where are you stopping yourself from trying something new in your life, which you might love?

Do you catch yourself saying “That would be great but I’m not …. or I can’t …. “

The answer to your problem is simple:

 1. Learn how to listen to your authentic self – listen to the little voice inside that is trying to get your attention.
 2. Come back to play – play is an essential mood booster, learn to play and change your life.
 3. Allow yourself to make mistakes and laugh at yourself – stop trying to be perfect.

I know it sounds easier said than done, but it is completely possible and it’s fun finding out.

I’d love to show you how to unleash your wild creative side – even just a little. So if you are holding yourself back from living the best life you can have – let go a little and join me.

If you do give creativity a go please share your adventures, or comments with me at [email protected]  I'd love to hear from you :)

Much love

Angela xx