Finger Painting and the Process

Step into my office and you will find blank canvases, glitter glue, and a variety of paint and paintbrushes. Many of my clients are surprised when I invite them to paint with me. Some smile with delight at the opportunity to create something unique, while others express fear and hesitation because they don’t know what to paint. 

That is the point, I tell them; they do not need to have it all planned out. Sometimes, we note, the hardest part is simply starting. Sometimes, part of the fun is being in the moment, embracing the unknown of a blank canvas and shedding the pressure to turn it into “perfection.” If we allow ourselves, we might feel inspired by what flows from our imagination; we might begin to enjoy the process of learning, or creating, as we go. 

In our everyday lives, whether we are learning a new recipe, completing math homework, or applying for college, how can we shift our thinking from focusing on the end result to focusing on the process? I invite you to self-reflect: What would it be like if you knew you could not fail? What might you learn if you allowed yourself room to make mistakes? 

What might you feel if you embrace where you are on your journey?