If I were to ask you, “Are you an artist?” What would your answer be?

Would the question make you feel uncomfortable?

What if I were to ask you if you’re creative? Does that word feel easier to claim?

It’s been a while since I’ve organized a Reader Conversation. Last year I especially enjoyed seeing reader gardens and the pages of reader sketchbooks, but it’s the beautiful conversations within the comments of the Reader Conversations posts that I keep thinking about.

I very clearly remember not being able to call myself an artist, but when I look back at my life, I see that I always have been creative and I have always been an artist.

I think we all are creative (popping back over to that post lead me to watch this again. I think you might like to, too).

As a child I created freely, without judgment or anxiety. I created for the joy of creating.

As I got older I began to compare myself to others. I began to compare what I created with what others were creating. I began to believe I wasn’t good at drawing or painting and stopped doing those things.

I enjoyed photography, writing, growing plants. Creativity has always been part of who I am.

Later I returned to crocheting and sewing and when I finally had my own house with its own yard, I threw myself into gardening.

Later still I began to listen to a little voice wondering, what if… and I began to paint.

I know so many of us share similar stories. So many of us struggle with comparison and lack confidence in our abilities. And I know that being creative, making things with our hands, can bring us so much joy.

It’s part of why I write this blog and send my Joy Letters. It’s why I teach my classes. And share my story again and again.

But today is not really about my story. I share it again here to remind you that I know what it’s like to struggle with doubts and insecurities. I share it to invite you to share your story, too.

I know that you are creative. And I’d like to hear about it.

Were you a creative child? What did you like to make? Did you keep creating as you got older? What stumbling blocks did you face? What turning points? What do you like to create today? What are you still only dreaming of creating?

It can be hard to claim our creativity, to call ourselves artists.

But I also believe that the label doesn’t matter. What we do matters. I’m so grateful I listened to that little voice and picked up a paintbrush. And I’m grateful for the years of creating in other ways, too. Crochet, sewing, gardening, cooking.

I’m grateful for the people who shared stories of their creative journeys. Their struggles. Their dreams. The beauty they created. I wouldn’t have had the courage to pick up my paintbrush if I hadn’t seen other artists sharing their stories of overcoming insecurities and self-doubt, too.

It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve discovered on my journey, the supportive community of creative people who find joy in creating and in encouraging one another.

Your story matters. I hope you’ll share it here and perhaps inspire someone else on their creative journey.