Artsy Crafty Library: Embracing creativity

I’ve always thought of myself as a creative person. I used to “do” art all the time. For a fleeting moment I was an art therapy major, which required a surprising amount of college-level art coursework. During that time I loved creating. I could easily lose hours to the process. I miss the magical experience where I become so hyper focused on what I'm doing that all other reality slips away. It’s a difficult feeling to recapture. 

Like a lot of people my focus shifted to other things. I pursued a career in social work and eventually landed on library science. I got married, we bought a house and had children. Creating art became less important. Or rather it became more difficult to find the time to devote to creating art. As time marched on it felt almost as though I had forgotten how to do it. But the desire to create never left.   

Gently nudging myself toward creativity

In late December 2024 I decided my New Year's resolutions would be to read more, knit more and scroll less. These resolutions have been refreshing. I relish the time I carve out for myself to do these things I love. While a little dusty, my knitting skills have not diminished. However, my older hands seem to be more disgruntled with the highly repetitive movements. I persist! I pulled out a long hibernating knitting project, actually completed it and I'm incredibly happy with how it turned out. Making something beautiful and useful that I will have forever gave me a ton of satisfaction.    

Likewise, it just took a couple of good books to really get me back in the habit of reading. Next time you're at the library ask a librarian for a book recommendation. We live to send you home with your next favorite read.

Finding my creative groove

It is in the practice of doing the things we love that the magical hyper-focused feeling returns. That feeling is compelling. Once you experience it, it drives you. Like so many things, practice makes perfect.  

While following a knitting pattern isn’t the creation of original art, it’s artistic and taps into my desire to create. I hope in time I will venture into more original artistic endeavors. Maybe I will paint or draw again. Or maybe I will create my own knitting patterns. But even if I just get really good at following the pattern instructions, when I am done I have something to show for it. That’s much more than I have when I am “done” scrolling.      

Reconnect with your inner creative

So this is me telling you it's good to take some time for yourself to do things you love. Reconnect with your inner creative and tap into that space where the only thing that matters is you and the beautiful, amazing, interesting, wonderful thing you create. We of course have all kinds of things – books, arts and craft kits, art classes and crafting circles to help you get started.