Creativity

Creativity is in my DNA. Growing up I dreamed of becoming a flight attendant, a news anchor, and a fashion designer. Settling on fashion design I drew cute little outfits and presented them to my parents. They praised my drawing proficiency but rejected my fashion design career aspirations. They didn’t see artistic work as lucrative. Their dream for me was to attend university and acquire an eight-to-four job. “Making clothes won’t pay the bills,” they said. Subsequently, I became a stenographer, a career that lasted thirty-four years.

Many years ago, a co-worker taught me to crochet. Initially, she taught me to crochet doilies, but then I gravitated to pillows, bags, jewelry, teddy bears, and dolls. I tried developing a crochet business and the dolls were popular. One time, at a craft market, a little girl scooted to my stall and grabbed one of my dolls. “Put that back!” her mother said. The girl held on tighter and cultivated tears. The tears shifted to wails until uncle, I think it was, bought her the doll.  

As life progressed, the crochet business and my passion for crochet died. Now crochet has grown in popularity, especially crochet clothing. My daughter has developed a knack for it and is planning her own crochet clothing business. I believe she’ll have better success at it than I did.

During the pandemic lockdown, I learnt coloured pencil drawing. With lots of practice, I improved, and my realistic drawings baffled me. I transferred my drawings to Bible journaling, an activity that enhanced my spiritual journey.

And then a writer contacted me to beta test her novel writing course. I thought I would have had a book at the end, but that didn’t happen. I needed more writing experience, so I delved into many writing courses, communities and books to learn the craft.

Writing is hard work, but I persevered and finally completed the first draft of my book. But then my husband died, and writing paused, for a while. My new hobby was gardening, another spiritually uplifting exercise. And then my writing urge surfaced again.

This year, 2025, I’ve committed to finish and publish my book. As well as embark on old creative ventures, like pencil drawing.

I look forward to the Lord’s plans for 2025. He is the ultimate creator, and I believe he has created everyone with creative capabilities. For some their talents are obvious. For others, they’ll have to dig deep. I think I can be a good author; even a good coloured pencil artist. I’m retired now and have lots of time to explore my creativity.

Featured Photo by Antoni Shkraba