✨ Follow Your Creative Pull ✨ 

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much practice can truly change us. Drawing has been on my mind, probably because I have so many things to draw each week, and while it still takes me forever, it’s so fun! I used to struggle with it, but after years of practice and dedicated learning, I can honestly say: I love it now. That’s something I never thought I’d say. 

These days, I actually look forward to drawing. My imagination has started exploring beyond what I think I can do. I take chances now, trusting that I can learn how to express what I see in my mind. My language for sharing ideas has expanded, beyond words to include color, shape, light, and dimension. Drawing has given me a new way to communicate as a design thinker, to translate what once lived only inside my head into something others can see and feel, without having to lock myself in the studio and block out the world until I can build it. 

Wow… being able to draw really does change everything. I could always sketch just well enough to get by, but learning to go beyond stick figures has been pure joy. Developing the skill to draw as I think to capture loose, gestural ideas that spark conversation and move through the tangled layers of overthinking (especially with my ADHD brain), that’s gold. 

And the best part? There are so many ways to learn now. Whether it’s taking a class (formal or casual), joining a creative community, checking out books from the library, or exploring the endless ocean of YouTube tutorials and online courses. There’s truly an option for everyone. You just have to try. Consistency and curiosity will do the rest. 

So what are you waiting for? What’s your passion? If there were no limits, what would you love to learn? What kind of support would you need to take that first step? 

I’ve been asking myself those same questions. My next step? Learning an instrument and singing, because it just feels amazing. For most of my life, I’ve been terrified of using my voice or speaking in public. To change that, I started going to karaoke, alone. I wanted to face my fear head-on. I still don’t sing around just anyone, but when I do, I feel powerful, free, and deeply connected to myself. 

And here’s the beautiful part: that single act of courage rewired something in me. Neuroscience tells us that every time we practice something new, especially when it’s outside our comfort zone, we strengthen new neural pathways. That’s neuroplasticity in action. Singing didn’t just help me use my voice, it helped me reshape the way I see myself. 

I still have social anxiety, but I no longer shut down or cry when my intelligence and my awkwardness collide. Instead, I’ve learned to roll with it, to breathe, laugh, and embrace the discomfort with a little more grace and ease. Because when we face fear through creativity, it stops being the wall between us and joy, it becomes the doorway. 

Drawing and singing opened me up to something greater. It gave me the courage to see myself as whole, to remember to recognize that the same brain that is constantly overstimulated and excited, also imagines, creates, and dreams in brilliant color. Most people don’t realize that what comes off as charming or goofy from the outside can sometimes feel deeply frustrating on the inside. But I’ve learned to let both parts coexist, the thinker and the dork, the anxious one and the brave one, because they’re all me. 

✨ A huge thank-you to my professor, Mark Broyles, for sharing his incredible knowledge and passion for architecture and drawing. His mentorship has truly inspired me to push myself, stay curious, and pour deeper into the creative process. There’s nothing quite like a great teacher who leads with love for their craft. ✨ 

What a beautiful thing it is, to express all of our intelligence, even when words are hard to come by. 

Creativity is for everyone. It’s not about being “good” or “talented.” It’s about being curious, open, and willing to show up for that little spark inside you. 

If there’s a whisper in your heart that says: 

🎶 “I want to sing,” 

🎨 “I want to paint,” 

🖋️ “I want to write stories,” 

💃 “I want to dance,” 

LISTEN TO IT!!!!! 

That’s your inner being giving you clues about parts of yourself that want to come alive again, natural gifts you may have forgotten or new directions waiting to be discovered. You never know where these creative side quests will lead, but one thing’s certain: they bring hours of joy, less stress, and a happier heart. 

You may not end up a rock star or bestselling author (though who knows you might!), but the real magic happens when you simply try. When you follow that creative pull, you’re not just making art, you are reshaping your brain. 

Every time we learn something new, we strengthen neural pathways and build new ones. That’s neuroplasticity in action, the brain’s way of adapting, healing, and growing stronger through experience. Creative practice enhances critical thinking, deepens problem-solving skills, and trains us to approach challenges with flexibility and imagination. It helps us see connections, invent possibilities, and stay open-minded in a complex world. 

And in times when the world feels heavy or uncertain, our creative hobbies become more than pastimes, they become medicine for the mind. They lower stress, elevate mood, boost confidence, and give us a sense of purpose and grounding when things feel shaky. 

So before the year ends, take a chance on yourself. Try one creative thing your soul has been nudging you toward. Let’s encourage each other to honor our curiosity, nurture our inner child, and live beautifully, no matter what’s happening “out there.” 

Because creativity doesn’t just make art: it makes resilient, resourceful, radiant humans. 💛

You made it to the end! YAY! Happy creating my fiend! Can't wait to see what you choose to share with the world!

-Vichelle