Do you like the idea of having a creative hobby but don’t feel like you’d be good at it?

I don’t consider myself to be an artistic person, but the truth is, I never even attempt art, so how would I know?

As a child, I was excited to try art and creative expression, but during my pre-teens years, I realized that some activities come more naturally and easily to me – meaning I didn’t have to work that hard to be good at them – and others take more effort. So decided I “wasn’t good” at those activities, and it wasn’t “worth my time” to even dabble in them. 

We live in a society that is obsessed with productivity and excellence, so we often don’t give ourselves permission to try a new creative hobby just because we want to or because it feels relaxing or fun.

Lisa Funk of Hand Lettered Design believes that the benefits of having a creative hobby go far beyond a beautiful finished product. 

Lisa is a dear friend of mine who I admire immensely. She is a mother of 4  who struggled for years with depression and anxiety before discovering a variety of tools that have helped her reclaim her happiness and her mental health. One of the biggest tools that has helped her is creativity – specifically hand lettering. 

I can’t wait for you to read what Lisa has to share. Here we go!

 

Lisa’s Takeaways for How to Have a Creative Hobby (Even if You Think You’re Not Creative):

 

 

1) Create for the process, not because you’re good at it.

There is a stigma with creative hobbies that we should only do them if we are immediately good at them or if we are interested in working like crazy to be good at them. It’s okay to love an activity just because it’s fun. You don’t have to be good at it now or ever. Remember the Buddist monks who spent days creating the mandala because of what the process taught them? Creativity can be a reminder that life is about becoming not producing. 

 

 

2) Use your five senses to be present in the creation process.

Creative exercises that occupy your body – whether that is hand lettering, painting, sculpting, cooking, or gardening – often allow your mind to settle down and focus. In this way, creative hobbies can become like meditations. Next time you are creating something, try to be really present with the physical sensations you are experiencing.

When we focus on our five senses, we can experience the creative process rather than thinking so much about the outcome of the creative process. 

 

 

3) Don’t judge the creation or worry about what other people think. 

Be aware of your thoughts as you go through the process of creating and notice if perfectionism sneaks in. Don’t judge that, just take note and remind yourself, “This is good practice for me to overcome perfectionism, a little each day.” There’s a mindful way to do creativity and a painful way to do creativity. Let’s choose to make our creativity mindful and restorative by leaning into the process instead of fixating on the product. Don’t place so much value on what the end-product is that you can’t enjoy the process.

Consciously connect with the concept that you are a creator, whether that feels natural or not. We are all creating every day, whether we realize it or not. When we become conscious of the moments we have for creativity, we can make them more mindful and present, and they can be relaxing moments of calm and connection.

 

 

Don’t you love these takeaways from Lisa about having a creative hobby? 

 

Let’s end with one of my favorite quotes from Lisa: 

Don’t be embarrassed to embrace your creativity. Don’t be afraid to enjoy things even if you’re not good at them. It doesn’t matter. YOU DO matter and connecting with mindful creativity will bring more joy and FUN and peace to your life when you allow yourself to enjoy it without judgment or expectation.

 

Click on the link if you want a printable list of the Creative Hobby Ideas You Can Enjoy Even If You’re Not Good At Them from Lisa. 

 

 

Save this summary to Pinterest so you can use it later! 👇

 

 

 

 

 

 

      >>> Are Lisa’s ideas for how to have a creative hobby inspiring? What creative hobbies do you enjoy? Comment below! 

 

 

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Related Episodes like this one on How to Have a Creative Hobby:

• 201: Living your Life’s Purpose in Every Stage // Brooke Snow
• 282: You Don’t Have to be Good at Something for It to be Worthwhile [Hidden Gem]
• 305: How to Hold Space for Your Creativity as a Busy Parent // Elizabeth Bergeland & Ben Brashares

 

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Get Lisa’s awesome products at Hand Lettered Design. Use code RACHEL10 for 10% off all of her educational products! 
• List of Creative Hobby Ideas You Can Do Even If You’re Not Good at Them
• Buddha Board

 

About Our Guest:

Lisa Funk is the founder of Hand Lettered Design. Through their workbooks, online workshops, and materials, Hand Lettered Design helps you learn the fulfilling hobby of hand lettering, while also creating a meaningful mindset. Lisa is a dear friend of mine who I admire immensely. She’s a mother of four who struggled for years with depression before discovering a variety of tools that have helped her reclaim her happiness and her mental health.

 

 

Get in Touch with Our Guest:

• Website:  https://handlettereddesign.com/
• Instagram: @handlettereddesign

 

 

Sponsors:

• Vionic Shoes: Go to vionicshoes.com and use code 3IN30 for 15% off your order.
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