Yes!! This so much!! Even if all you have is a cell phone camera, take photos!

Love this. You don't have to be good at something to do it as a hobby

The thought that crossed my mind on this post was for people who might not be able to exercise a creative outlet at this point in their lives, perhaps because of various stressors in life - say, for instance, financial insecurity.

Then I went into the comments and read yours.

I'm very sorry that you're facing these challenges and I want you to know we're all rooting for you and hoping you can apply more expression in your life soon. And take longer walks. Sending happy thoughts and well-wishes your way.

Similar situation for me too. The walks make a huge difference! I hope you can get back to it soon.

Not sure if this is your speed, but poetry might be a good choice - you wouldn't be the first writer to produce short form poems because you don't necessarily have the time for longer compositions.

They don't need to be good - you can work on that part later, as you have time - they just need to exist.

And that day will be tomorrow… is what I said yesterday

The real question is: does the act of using the art supplies bring you joy? If so, then you are not wasting them, because their purpose is to bring you joy, not to result in something amazing.

You clearly are not interested in dedicating a huge amount of energy into becoming a grand master, and that's okay! So instead, try playing around, and seeing for yourself what works and what doesn't. When you run into something that you can't quite figure out, like "Hmm, I would really like to make this face look a bit more realistic, but I am stuck on how to do so," then at that point you can seek out a learning resource and it will not feel forced because you are answering a question of interest.

And of course, if using your art supplies does not bring you joy, then that is okay too! There is absolutely no shame in coming to the realization that you thought you would like doing something, and it turned out you did not.

I played the trumped for about a decade, starting in elementary school, and got pretty good but not great at it. At some point, I realized that I actually did not enjoy it that much despite all of the time I had invested, so I stopped. Instead, I started social dancing, which was really fun to practice and was not nearly as stressful to do because it is not a big of a deal if you make a mistake, and I am much happier as a result!

So if you intrinsically enjoy using your art supplies because they simply are fun to play with, then do that and don't worry about whether you are creating masterpieces or not. And if you do not enjoy using them but are keeping them around anyway because you feel like you "should" be using them, then free yourself by admitting that they are not for you and consider giving them away in order to lighten a burden on yourself.

I'm the opposite. I used to just paint without worries or doubts, each artwork taking me less than an hour. Just pure, raw inspiration.

But then I learned a lot more about drawing and painting and catch myself doubting every action and each piece takes me hours and while the results might be technically better, nobody finds them interesting anymore.

Keep it up and you will get good at it eventually

No better time to start than $ date

This is wholesome and I'm happy to hear of your recovery!

If you can walk, you can dance

If you can talk, you can sing

You'd think that, but you can. The only question is how much skill you'd have the first time you do them. It probably won't be much, and there's no telling how much skill you can develop, but you don't have to be good at something to take joy in it.

Mind you, my singing only brings me joy. Everyone else gets headaches. But still!

Prove it.

Because art.

Maybe you need to know why not? Also most of the time I over-think - but sometimes if I'm lucky I get a break and run with it; no thinking, just do. I might get bored and stop in 5 min, but that feels way better afterwards. Good luck, friend. 😁

No talent needed