For as long as I can remember, I’ve been caught in a cycle. When I create—when I really get into the flow—I feel unstoppable. Thoughts race, ideas multiply, and my hands can barely keep up. I take photos, scribble lists, capture every spark before it disappears. But then? The crash. The overanalysis. The inner critic that tells me it wasn’t good enough. That I am not good enough.

I used to think this was just the burden of a struggling perfectionist, but I’ve come to learn something more unsettling: This is conditioning. It’s not my fault, not really. Yours either. We’ve been trained—through decades of expectations—to believe that creativity isn’t necessary. That we have to be productive, polished, and practical. That success is about logic, structure, and execution, not about play.

Have we been missing the point?

We’ve Been Conditioned to Live in the Left Brain

Women, in particular, are conditioned to carry the invisible weight of perfectionism, emotional labor, and an endless mental to-do list. We are taught to plan ahead, anticipate needs, and ensure everything runs smoothly—at work, at home, in friendships, in parenting. This overthinking, while often seen as responsibility or competence, can become a trap that disconnects us from our own joy, intuition, and creativity.

Reconnecting with the Right Brain

When we reclaim the right side of our brains—when we play, create, explore without a goal—we break free from the stress cycle that keeps us in a state of constant evaluation and self-criticism. Creativity is an act of rebellion against the belief that our worth is tied only to productivity. High-value results. Studies show that engaging in creative activities reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, while improving problem-solving and emotional resilience (How Creativity Echoes in Health, 2024, SmartWellness.eu). By allowing ourselves the freedom to create for the sake of joy rather than results, we open the door to a deep sense of fulfillment, self-trust, and well-being. Creativity is self-care.

Here are a five questions to help you reconnect with your creative side.

1. When was the last time you did something just for fun—without worrying if it was productive or “good”?

Maybe as a kid, you spent hours drawing, singing, or making up stories. But now? You might hesitate to pick up a paintbrush because you’re “not an artist” or avoid dancing because it “looks silly.”

Choose one playful activity—something you used to love but haven’t done in years. Set a timer for 15 minutes and just do it. No expectations, no pressure. Just play.

Having fun? Ignore the alarm.

2. How often do you let your body guide your creativity?

Have you ever noticed how some of your best ideas come while walking, showering, or doing something rhythmic? That’s because movement can unlock creativity by allowing thoughts to flow freely.

Go for a 10-minute walk without distractions. No phone, no podcast—just walk and let your thoughts wander. Pay attention to any ideas that surface. Try again, but bring along some supplies. For me, it’s my camera. Just see what happens.

3. Do you spend more time consuming others creativity than creating?

We scroll through social media, watch DIY videos, and admire other people’s creativity—but rarely make anything ourselves. It’s easy to get stuck in consumption mode.

For one day, swap 30 minutes of scrolling with creating. Instead of watching, write something. Instead of liking, paint something. Instead of scrolling, cook something. Shift from consuming to creating.

4. What would you create if failure didn’t matter?

Many of us hold back on creative projects because we’re afraid they won’t be “good enough.” But some of the greatest innovations come from people who just experimented without overthinking the outcome.

Give yourself permission to create something bad on purpose. Write a silly poem, paint an abstract mess, or play random notes on an instrument. The goal is freedom.

5. What part of your life could use more play?

Play isn’t just for kids. It improves problem-solving, strengthens relationships, and makes life lighter. Maybe it’s bringing more playfulness into conversations, relationships, or even work.

Find one small way to add play into your day. Play a game of 20 Questions, or sexy Telephone just to shake things up.

Your Creativity is Waiting for You

At some point, we were taught that creativity is optional—something for kids, hobbyists, or people with extra time. But that’s not true. Creativity isn’t a luxury. It’s part of how we think, process, and feel. It’s how we make sense of the world and bring meaning to our lives.

The good news? It’s still there. Beneath the to-do lists, the overthinking, and the expectations—it’s waiting for you. And you don’t need a grand plan or permission to get started. You just need to play.

Let yourself create just because. If that feels hard, start small. One minute. Five minutes. Just enough to remind yourself that you can.

You didn’t lose your creativity. You just need to remember where to find it.

Ready to get started? Tell us something you’re going to work on this week in the comments!

If you do, come back to tell us about how it worked out.

Read Part 2 | What Happens When You Regularly Engage in Creativity?