For the longest time, I believed creativity belonged to a very specific group of women — the ones who casually say things like “I’m just popping into the studio for a few hours” or who own twelve shades of watercolor paint and know how to use every single one. Meanwhile, the rest of us were out here trying to keep houseplants alive and hoping that finding the perfect spot for the barely alive plant counted as creative.
But somewhere between attempting a Pinterest craft that looked like it had been assembled by a drunk raccoon and realizing I actually enjoyed the process, I had a small epiphany: creativity isn’t a club with a velvet rope. It’s more like a buffet. And there are a lot more options on the table than most of us realize.
The first mistake many of us make is assuming creativity equals “fine art.” If you’re not painting landscapes or sculpting something dramatic out of clay, you must not be creative. That thinking is not only wrong — it’s limiting. Creativity is less about the medium and more about the mindset.
Take cooking. Some people follow recipes the way lawyers follow contracts. Others treat the kitchen like a playground. A pinch of this, a splash of that, suddenly you’ve invented a pasta dish that probably shouldn’t work but somehow does. That’s creativity in action — no paintbrush required.
Then there’s everyday artistry. Maybe it’s arranging flowers from the grocery store so they look like they belong in a boutique window (not a talent I possess). Maybe it’s styling an outfit that makes strangers stop and ask where you bought your jacket. Or maybe it’s decorating a tiny apartment in a way that makes every square foot feel intentional.
None of those things hang in galleries, but they absolutely count.
Writing is another sneaky creative outlet. You don’t have to be drafting a novel or publishing poetry. Journaling, scribbling observations in your phone notes or even crafting the world’s most dramatic group chat messages all require imagination and voice. If you’ve ever spent ten minutes choosing the perfect emoji to complete a story, congratulations — you’re participating in the arts (and I probably just showed my age).
I love the creativity involved with every issue of Bella, even if I’m not the one writing, taking pictures or putting layouts together. There is still the fun of deciding themes and stories and the flow of each issue throughout the year. I also love the process of home renovations and interior design, even though I am definitely not a designer. In our cover story this month we talk to the mother/daughter team at In Detail Interiors — they are definitely a creative duo!
Let’s also talk about the crafty corner of creativity, which has been getting a deserved reputation makeover. Knitting, embroidery, candle making, pottery, DIY home projects — these activities sometimes get dismissed as quaint or old-fashioned. But anyone who has attempted to crochet something that isn’t shaped like a drunk raccoon (don’t ask me why I keep talking about drunk raccoons) knows there’s serious skill involved.
More importantly, making things with your hands slows the world down. It pulls your brain out of the constant doomscroll cycle and into something tangible. There’s a quiet satisfaction in creating something that didn’t exist an hour ago and our mental health definitely benefits.
The point is that creativity doesn’t require permission, talent scouts or expensive supplies. It just requires curiosity and a willingness to try something that might turn out a little crooked.
And honestly, that’s half the fun.
So if you’ve been waiting for a sign that you’re “creative enough” to start something — painting, baking, writing, knitting, rearranging your living room for the fifth time this month — consider this it.
Your creativity doesn’t need to be judged. It just needs to exist.
— Kelly MacLeod
