That’s Not How You Do It": When an Adult Tried to Crush Your Soul (And Failed Miserably)

Remember the first time someone looked at your creativity like it was a questionable casserole at a potluck dinner? “Oh… that’s… different.”

Maybe it was your third-grade art teacher, who gasped in horror when you painted the sky green. “The sky is BLUE, Angela" - and just like that, your avant-garde masterpiece became another boring blue rectangle. Depressing.

Maybe it wasn’t a teacher at all. Maybe it was an Aunty who took one look at your DIY Halloween costume "It’s a zombie Aunty!” and then she handed you a store-bought fairy princess outfit. “Here you go - for safety.” (Safety from what? Imagination?)

The Lie We All Fell For ....
Somewhere along the way, we absorbed the message: Creativity = chaos, and chaos = bad.

So, like good girls, we started following the rules. We drew trees in brown (yawn). Or we stopped wearing mismatched socks because “people might talk” (who ARE these people, and why do they care about my feet?).

But here’s the truth they didn’t want you to know: Creativity isn’t about being good. It’s about being alive. It’s about that little voice in your head that says, “What if I glue googly eyes to this stapler?” (Answer: You should. Immediately.)

But Why Did They Do It?
Let’s psychoanalyze these fun-suckers, shall we?

- They were jealous. Deep down, Karen from accounting wishes she had the courage to wear that glittery unicorn sweater she saw at the store.
- They were traumatized. Someone once told them their macaroni art was “not gallery-worthy” and now they’re out for revenge.
- They were boring. Let’s be real - some people think spicy means adding a pinch of black pepper.

How to Unlearn Their Nonsense
1. Embrace the chaos. Finger-paint. Write a haiku about your cat’s secret double life. Put pineapple on your pizza (my absolute fave!).
2. Laugh at the haters. Next time someone says “That’s not how it’s done" smile and whisper ...“Neither is your haircut, Brenda.” (Okay, maybe don’t say that out loud. But definitely think it.)
3. Find your people. Surround yourself with others who get it - the ones who’ll high-five you for knitting a sweater for your houseplant.

Your Homework (Yes, There’s Homework)
- This week, do one thing “wrong” on purpose:
- Sing in the shower off-key.
- Doodle during a meeting (bonus points if it’s your boss as a potato).
- Wear an outfit that makes you happy, even if it makes others question reality.

- Join me in the Create More Community where YOUR PEOPLE definitely hang out :)

The Bottom Line...
The world tried to make you boring. It failed.

Now go out there and mess something up gloriously.

Comment below: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever created? Let’s celebrate our beautiful disasters.

With Love

Angela x

Professional Chaos Enthusiast & Recovering Rule-Follower