The Importance of Creative Hobbies

Someone once told me that they believe we are called to create because it’s following the example of our Creator. It was Peter Furler at a Newsboys concert when I asked him about music & painting. Whether it’s DIY, music, painting, writing, etc. the art of making is important.

From a young age, my parents put my sisters and I on a path of creativity. From many years of piano lessons & band, to running the craft table at every camp and holiday festival, creating was in our blood. We had a craft table in our basement growing up, and I’d spend hours there building houses & castles out of cardboard and foam, or painting, or making jewelry.

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In my adult life, creativity has taken different turns. Some days it would look like making a beautiful plate of food, and others a collection of crocheted scarves. I’ve spent many mornings listening to vinyl records and painting watercolors as a way to create as well. I don’t think I ever realized how important these hobbies were until a few years ago when I was going through a really tough time, and spent all day sewing a skirt to help me process my emotions.

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Creativity as a form of coping is something that you’ll see plastered all over social media, but why does it work? Why does creativity seem to have the power to pull us out of those dark times? It has nothing to do with us and our ability. It all comes back to that first statement, that we are called to create because God is the original Creator and the giver of any gift or ability. Building & making is a natural response to this calling, and it has a way of reminding us of our Creator’s goodness & love for us.

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Most recently, my creativity has looked like giant custom builds. Enjoying the sound of power tools, and the knots in different tones of wood. Taking raw materials and seeing them transform into something beautiful. Trusting the process and that there’s a lesson in each step. Sharing wild & crazy builds on social media. Though this is something that I deeply love, it’s also something that I can at times feel burnt out from.

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The burn out comes from losing focus on that purpose and those roots. If I focus my attention on beautiful things, and comparing myself to other creators, there’s no purpose & no healthy path in that. When I remember whose I am, and who my creativity belongs to, that’s when God gives me wings to soar. That’s when creative hobbies become a mission & have the power to heal.

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