A personal reflection on creativity, identity, false productivity, and how simplicity made my creative life more meaningful.
My True Passion
Some activities take a lifetime to practice and master. Doing art, crafts, and being creative is one of them. That has been my true passion for many years. I love making things—sewing, embroidery, crochet, and more.
Since I was a child, I have always had projects to work on. Over the years, I’ve learned a few important things about being a creative person.
Creative Clutter Was Part Of My Identity
One thing I’ve learned is that things change over time, and so do my passions. I moved from one activity to another. I was into cross-stitching for a few years, then I started weaving paper baskets. After that, I began drawing on stones. My hobbies changed, but I kept all the equipment for every hobby, just in case I wanted to return to it someday.
Years passed, and I didn’t want to say goodbye to those things because they felt like part of my identity. I wondered: if I didn’t have those things, who was I without them? I didn’t see value in myself without certain objects. I didn’t feel useful or appreciated, which was not healthy for me emotionally.
Can I Let Go Of The Things I Have Created?
Another thing I learned is that I can let go of the things I’ve made. I don’t have to hold on to them just because I created them or spent time on them. If they don’t serve me in the current season of my life, it’s okay to let them go without guilt. Otherwise, they turn into clutter that prevents me from moving forward, enjoying my life, and doing what’s best for me at this stage. They keep me from doing the things I truly want to do, they kind of holding me back.
I Finish My Projects
One more important lesson I’ve learned is that I don’t start new projects until I finish old ones. I don’t buy new supplies or equipment for new hobbies until I’ve dealt with everything I’ve already started. By “finish,” I mean either completing and using it, or making a clear decision to let it go.
I Have A Limited Space For My Crafts
I have one shelf in my pantry dedicated to fabric and yarn, and I don’t keep more than a couple of projects going at a time.
We Shouldn’t Hold Onto Things Out Of Guilt
Just last month, I decluttered a crochet project I couldn’t finish. I actively worked on it for about six months and then kept it for two more years, hoping I’d return to it. But I couldn’t see where I would use it in my home, and it was taking up a lot of space on my shelf. That’s when I realized it was time to let it go.
Inspiration comes and goes, and I believe we shouldn’t hold onto things out of guilt. We need to release ourselves and move forward with clarity, staying open to new inspiration.
Creativity As A Form Of False Productivity
There’s one more thing I need to talk about. For years, I used my projects as a form of false productivity. When I sat in front of the TV watching my favorite shows while crafting, my dishes were often undone, the house was messy, and I procrastinated on laundry, cooking, and other basic tasks. I felt busy and productive because I was creating something—but my priorities were off. I was neglecting the vital aspects of the home that make it feel like a place of comfort and peace.
I often felt stressed about my house, and crafting became an escape from an overwhelming reality I didn’t know how to manage.
Simplifying Is The Key To Creativity
When I simplified and decluttered my home, it became easier to create systems and routines that keep it tidy. I now feel more willing—and even inspired—to cook and bake for my family. I still deeply enjoy art and craft projects, but I’m no longer hiding from reality behind them. Knowing that my home is under control and my responsibilities aren’t being neglected makes the creative process even more exciting and enjoyable.