From Madonna to N.W.A. the message is clear…you have to express yourself! I spoke earlier in the blog about the importance of having hobbies. I wanted to write this post to speak to the importance of creativity and creative outlets. Personally, I love tattoo’s and have gotten several over the course of my lifetime. I am strategic about both what I put and where I put it on my body but that being said I find it is a beautiful and creative passion of mine (I am actually writing part of this blog while sitting in the tattoo chair). I also enjoy cooking and to bake the creative aspects of both appeal to me as a person who loves art and expressing artistic things but lacked the skills to do so.

I can’t paint, draw or sculpt. I don’t play instruments but with a knife and a skillet I can still make art. I can watch my creation bring joy, love, and laughter to others. Food is an art that is meant to be shared with others. If that’s not your thing, try poetry or journaling or photography there are so many artistic mediums out there. We are all creators; we just don’t know it yet. The joy and passion I have found since finding my creative outlet has been unmatched since I left the game of football. It helped me to find a purpose beyond running through a mf face -Marshawn Lynch.

            Having a creative outlet is quite literally better for your mental health in the long run. According to a 2010 study,”  there is evidence that engagement with artistic activities, either as an observer of the creative efforts of others or as an initiator of one’s own creative efforts, can enhance one’s moods, emotions, and other psychological states as well as have a salient impact on important physiological parameters.” To put it plainly by looking at or engaging in the creative steps that it takes to make art you can enhance your own mood and emotions as well as some positive impact on your body.

Take the time to try something new, even if it’s something simple or something you aren’t good at. My fiancé and I would premix some cocktails in a cooler or bring a bottle of wine to the park and do a DIY Picasso and wine type date day. It didn’t matter what we ended up painting, just the act in and of itself was a great time. Over time I learned different things that made me a better painter (still awful at it by the way) which helped to make it more fun. Find something that you enjoy doing and take the time to practice it. Even if you never show another soul your work, you will know in your heart that you did it.

            Human Beings are inherently expressive creatures. We wear our emotions on our sleeves, although a couple of you have a mean poker face. We were meant to express ourselves creatively. Art in all of its forms transcends both time and culture. It is a great unifying force, a common thread, in this time of such division and uncertainty. Today, I want you to take the time to create something. It can be something as simple as a doodle on a post it to brighten someone’s day. Take the time to feed your creative side, it will thank you. Branch out, try something new, you never know what your next passion could be. Take the time to create something beautiful, a mark you can leave on the world if just for a fleeting moment over dinner. Find a way to inspire someone to take that same leap with you. In this socially distanced world, the creation of artwork can help to bring us together.