Rediscover Your Creative Spark: Embrace the Art of Play again

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Somewhere between the dream of turning your creative hobby into a business and building your brand, the joy of making can quietly turn into the pressure to produce.

One day, you’re designing just for fun, and the next, every idea gets filtered through, “Would someone buy this?” The spark that once made you excited to sit down and create becomes tangled in checklists, deadlines, and design trends.

And before you realize it, the thing that once filled you with joy starts to feel a little bit like work.

That’s when the fun begins to fade. Perfection takes the wheel, and creativity starts to feel heavy. Then it feels like every color, layout, or project must be “just right” and profitable before it’s worth pursuing or sharing.

The Pull of Perfection

I can still remember when I’d sit down to make something just because it sounded fun. No plan, no pressure, no “niche” in mind.

But simply because I wanted to learn or do something new. 

But over time, that easy kind of play started to fade. I caught myself judging every idea before I even finished it, wondering if it was “good enough” to list or share, before I even gave my ideas room to breathe.

That’s the sneaky thing about perfectionism. It often doesn’t shout; it whispers. And before you know it, creating becomes more about performance than joy.

We forget what it feels like just to make something because it lights us up inside.

Does any of that resonate with you?

Maybe you’ve been creating products, templates, or art for your shop, but somewhere along the way, you started second-guessing everything. You find yourself tweaking fonts, redoing colors, or abandoning ideas because they didn’t feel “ready.”

Perfectionism can sneak in so quietly that you hardly notice it… until your creative spark feels dimmed.

Seeing the Good in the Messy

Here’s what I’ve been reminded of lately: creativity isn’t supposed to be tidy.

Messy creativity is where the magic happens.

The smudged paint, the half-finished ideas, the projects that didn’t go as planned;  they’re all part of your growth. Every “mistake” adds character, teaches you something new, and often leads to better ideas you never would’ve found if everything went smoothly.

It’s not about the finished product.

It’s about staying connected to your joy while creating it.

Rediscovering Your Joy in the Process

Recently, I came across a beautiful online event called The Joy of Messy Creativity Retreat. It’s a free virtual experience designed to help creatives like us let go of perfection and rediscover the fun in creating again.

It’s not another productivity challenge or business summit.

It is a celebration of creative freedom. You know the kind we often forget we’re allowed to have.

The retreat features over 20 inspiring sessions from artists, coaches, and makers who’ve learned how to quiet their inner critics and create for the sheer joy of it.

If your creative energy has been feeling a little low, this kind of experience can be a gentle reset. And if you don’t have time to dive into the free live event, you can opt for the All Access Pass. It includes lifetime replay access and creative extras from more than 20 speakers.

Sign up to join the retreat now! 

What Happens When You Let Go of Perfect

When you stop trying to control the outcome, you give yourself space to breathe again.

You start noticing how ideas flow more easily. You stop over-editing every detail. You even start enjoying the unexpected because that’s where new inspiration hides.

That’s the beauty of messy creativity: it reminds you that you already are creative enough. You just need to give yourself permission to play.

So if your heart’s been whispering that you miss creating just for fun… maybe it’s time to listen.

Tools to Help You Play and Experiment

If you’re ready to explore more ways to create freely, here are a few of my favorite tools and resources that make it easy to experiment without pressure, whether you love hands-on art, digital design, or a bit of both.

•  Canva – One of my favorite ways to experiment with color, layout, and pattern ideas without worrying about “messing up.” And you can use it for free, although I do have the paid pro plan.
  
  
• Apple iPad + Procreate App – When I need to reconnect with the joy of making, I reach for my iPad and open Procreate. There’s something magical about sketching, blending, and experimenting without undo anxiety. It’s the perfect space to doodle, letter, or create clipart and stickers just for fun.  I love that the Procreate App is just a one-time fee. Here’s one of my favorite trainings on learning to use Procreate to create digital art.
  
  
•  Creative Fabrica All Access Pass – Thousands of fonts, graphics, and digital elements to spark new inspiration when you feel creatively stuck. Grab the all-access pass or try 10 free designs. 
  
  
• AI Tools for Creatives – Lately, I’ve been exploring AI tools that make the creative process more playful instead of more perfect. Tools like ChatGPT, Galaxy AI, and Midjourney help me brainstorm, sketch, or test color palettes before I ever commit to a design. Think of them as creative companions, not replacements. I really like that Galaxy AI gives you the opportunity to try out multiple different AI tools all in one place.
  
  
•  Banner Bliss Toolkit – My own drag-and-drop template kit that helps you design printable banners and decor effortlessly. It's perfect for when you just want to create fun banners to decorate for a party. Or, use it to add seasonal decor to your home. Get your toolkit now.
  
  
•  The Joy of Messy Creativity Retreat – A wonderful reminder that creative joy doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from play. Get your retreat ticket today. 

Whether you’re splashing paint in Procreate, exploring fonts in Canva, or generating design ideas with AI, each of these tools helps you reconnect with what really matters – the freedom to play, explore, and make something that feels like you.

Your Time to Play

The truth is, the tools are just invitations, small doorways back to curiosity. Whether it’s your iPad, a Canva template, or an AI prompt that sparks something new, what matters most is that you show up and play.

Each experiment and each imperfect idea reminds you that creativity isn’t about the platform or the polish. It’s about reconnecting with the part of you that still loves to make.

Whether you design printables, digital planners, or templates, remember this: your creativity isn’t just about what you sell. It’s about what lights you up.

Maybe the real art of being a creative business owner is learning to hold both: the part of you that loves to create for joy and the part that creates for income.

You can honor both sides when you give yourself space to experiment, make mistakes, and explore the messy middle. That’s where inspiration hides, waiting for you to remember how fun it can be to simply make again.

Remember…

You don’t have to earn your creative joy.
You don’t need a perfectly planned project.
You just need a willingness to start and maybe a little space that invites you to show up as you are.

So grab your paints, your pens, or your laptop and let’s make something beautifully messy.

And don’t forget to Explore The Joy of Messy Creativity Retreat.

Awaken Your Creativity – Free 14-Day Journal Challenge

If this post has stirred something inside you, that little nudge that says “I miss creating just for me”, I have the perfect next step.

I’ve put together a free 14-Day Awakening Creativity Journal to help you experiment, play, and gently rebuild your creative momentum.

Inside, you’ll find short daily prompts designed to spark curiosity, loosen perfectionism, and remind you how fun it feels to make something just because it brings you joy.

No rules. No pressure. Just space to rediscover what lights you up again.

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