When was the last time you just sat down and drew a picture? Colored? Painted? Sketched? Doodled? Sadly, life gets in the way of our creative sides sometimes. Despite our best efforts to relax and enjoy a moment of inspiration, we have deadlines and expectations and places to be.

What we tend to forget, though, is the value of quiet time, relaxation time, creative time, or art therapy. It’s important, vital, even!

Labor Day Weekend I went home to spend time with my family, specifically my younger sister. She’s really into art [and I am too, when I have the chance!] We decided to go to Color Me Mine, which is a place in our hometown where you can paint anything from coffee mugs and dinner plates to figurines and picture frames. You choose a piece, spend the day painting, and the place will take it, bake it, and give it to you with a polished finish to take home in a few days! It’s really fun, and a great way to relax.

Here’s my sister painting a night light for her bedroom. 🙂

And my sunflower jewelry dish for my bracelets and rings.

It’s important to take time every week [even every day if possible!] for creative work. Whether that’s drawing, painting, sketching, doodling, writing poetry, coloring, reading, etc. just take some you-time and a mental break from the deadlines, demands, and decisions of everyday life. A mere 15 minutes a day can make you more relaxed, positive, and right-brain engaged. Besides, creativity is fun. You won’t regret it! 🙂