Empowering Creativity for All Abilities –
Can you believe it’s already the end of September? I, for one, can’t! This month’s focus word has been "balance," which led me to reflect deeply on what balance means for me. Part of embracing balance this month was attending a retreat called “Courage on Canvas.” It was a wonderful experience that I’m so excited to share with you all.
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Let me start by saying—I am not a trained artist. Art has always been a part of my Occupational Therapy practice, helping others explore, experiment, and experience new opportunities. But, walking into this retreat, I felt intimidated. The little negative voice in my head—the one that pops up when I’m anxious—started whispering, "You're not good enough. What are you doing here?"
However, I was so wrong to let that voice get to me. The amazing individuals I met at this retreat welcomed me with warmth, sharing positive energy and affirmations that made me realize: I belong. They reminded me that we all have unique gifts to share. They showed me it’s okay to keep learning, to grow, to ask for help, to succeed and fail, and to feel all the emotions that come along with it.
It was a beautiful reminder that this journey—creativity, therapy, and life—is shared by all of us. The time spent together, filled with support, camaraderie, and positivity, was absolutely priceless. It allowed me to continue practicing mindfulness while embracing creativity in a whole new way.
Taking on the 10-Minute Watercolor Challenge
And guess what? I made art! Yes, me! One of our activities at the retreat was to paint with watercolors for about 10 minutes each day—finding an illustration and recreating it. At first, I still felt fearful, but I took on the challenge. As each day passed, I let go of a little more fear.
By the end of the retreat, we were encouraged to continue this activity for 10 more days on our own. I’m happy to say that I completed all 10 days of the challenge! Even better, I’ve decided to keep it as part of my daily routine. This journey has brought me joy and growth—I learned to let go, embrace mistakes as part of learning, and recognize my own creative capabilities.
Connecting Creativity with My Therapy Practice
This experience also made me reflect on my practice as an Occupational Therapist. Every time I work with someone, I encourage them to take that next step, even if it’s out of their comfort zone, to try something new. I nudge them forward and support them when they stumble.
Through this reflection, I’ve realized what I want to accomplish in my practice right now:
Empowering Creativity for All Abilities
I’m still figuring out exactly how I will accomplish this, but I know it’s my mission, and it feels so right. The retreat reminded me that I am courageous—and so are you!
Sharing My Art
Below are some pieces I created during the 10-minute challenge:
I share these not because I think they’re perfect, but to remind you that we are all capable of amazing things when we allow ourselves to explore. We sometimes need a little push out of our comfort zones. As an Occupational Therapist, I will continue to guide and support those I work with, helping each person reach greater success, no matter where they are now.
Let’s Embrace Creativity Together
I hope my journey inspires you to embrace creativity in your own way. Let’s see how far we can all go when we nurture courage and curiosity!
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Stay courageous, Pam
Pam's Den of Creative Fun – Where Empowering Creativity Happens