Why Everyone Should Create Art

We are all artists.

This is why yesterday I was thrilled to meet the founder of artgurl, Meagan, who believes that creative wellness is for everyone!

That’s been my mission since I started bringing improv-based leadership workshops into organizations with Follow the Fear nearly 10 years ago. Because I was afraid on that 4 train to say yes.

Even though I’d been writing, drawing, playing music since I was a child, I didn’t go to school for art, and my job didn’t have “creative” in the title. I was waiting for external validation and someone to give me permission.

But since I’m old now, I only listen to myself. I’m a writer and an improv performer and a more authentic weirdo. I’ve also learned that:

We need to be creating things instead of wrecking things.

Leave the wrecking to other people / AIs. Today’s world is a cluster f%$&***er and much of that cluster-effery is out of our control.

What we can control is our wellbeing: the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

So, TRY ART. It’s not hard.

• Look some art other people made. (yes! this counts!)

• Pick up a pencil and doodle stuff on paper or a napkin or in the dirt on your car windshield.

• Listen to a new song.

• Sing a song.

• Stare at a flower or plant.

• Buy some stickers and give them to your friends to wear on your shirts.

• Encase your toes in their own sleeping bags.

• Dance at home like a maniac.

• Join an improv class*. Soon I’ll be offering public workshops so stay tuned!

Today I am an artist who will say so here and in public, though please don’t speak to me on the train, that’s still a no-no.

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