Remember Who You Are: A Guide to Pure Creative Joy
Remember Who You Are: A Guide to Pure Creative Joy
Do you remember the last time you created something just for the sheer joy of it? Not for your portfolio, not for social media likes, not for your next pitch—just for you?
I was reminded this week of how at 10 years old I used to roll out a chalkboard. You remember those right? And on one side was my classroom where I taught school to the neighbor kids and I’d flip it around and on the other side I created elaborate backdrops for the show I coerced those same kids to be in. I didn’t do this for profit, or even impact. I did it because I loved it. I did it for creative expression.
For many of us, that last moment of pure creative freedom might have been in childhood, when we built elaborate worlds out of cardboard boxes or wrote stories about magical creatures without worrying if they'd ever see the light of day. As a storytelling coach, I've noticed a pattern: the more professionally creative we become, the further we drift from that childlike sense of creative play.
I’m sensing and seeing a pattern play out this year amongst colleagues and friends; It is all about remembering who you are.
The Weight of Expectation
Somewhere along the way, creativity became serious business. We learned about target audiences, market demands, and ROI. We internalized the idea that every creative endeavor needs to serve a purpose beyond personal satisfaction. While these considerations have their place in professional creative work, they can cast a long shadow over our creative spirit.
What if we could reclaim that childhood sense of creative freedom? What if we could create with the same abandon we had when building blanket forts or drawing dinosaurs that looked more like happy clouds?
Lessons from Our Younger Selves
Think back to how you created as a child:
You didn't wait for inspiration—you just began. Children don't sit around waiting for the perfect idea; they dive in and let the story unfold naturally. They understand intuitively what many of us adults forget: creativity is a process of discovery, not pre-planning.
You weren't afraid of "getting it wrong." Children create hybrid animals, blue trees, and stories that defy logic because they haven't yet learned to self-censor. Their creativity flows from a place of possibility rather than limitation.
You shared your work proudly. Remember showing your parents every new drawing? There was no shame, no qualification, no "it's not my best work, but..."
The Path Back to Creative Freedom
Reconnecting with your creative inner child isn't about regression—it's about integration.
Here's how to begin:
Create a judgment-free zone. Designate a specific time and space where your only goal is to play with ideas. No critiquing, no editing, no thinking about practical applications. Just pure exploration.
Start with memory. What did you love creating as a child? What materials brought you joy? Whether it was crayons, Play-Doh, or making up songs, revisit these early creative tools without any agenda.
Break the rules deliberately. If you're a writer, write with your non-dominant hand. If you're an artist, use only colors you normally avoid. Give yourself permission to make "bad" art.
The Professional Paradox
Here's a truth that might seem counterintuitive: reconnecting with your creative inner child can actually enhance your professional work. When we create from a place of joy and freedom, we tap into authenticity that audiences can feel. Some of the most innovative professional work comes from creators who maintain that sense of play and possibility.
I’ll tell you this about social media: My highest performing posts aren’t the one’s I’ve pre-planned, thought about if they will receive likes, shares or even lead to a sale. The ones that gain the most traction are the ones that I am BEING a creative channel and I’m having the time of my life.
A Daily Practice of Play
The goal isn't to abandon professional standards or market awareness—it's to create a parallel creative practice that's purely for you. Start small.
I used to offer 9 Minutes a Day of Creative Play as a tool.
But the resistance to play was so large that I changed it to 9 Minutes a Day of Creative Work. Work we understand. Work we’ve been conditioned to believe will bring progress. Work gets us somewhere.
I’m going to challenge you on that. And request that you return to play. Just you and your imagination, like when you were seven years old and the world was full of possibilities.
It is a spiritual practice. For some it is writing morning pages. Yes. That can be your 9 minutes if it resonates! Listen to my dear friend and The Artist’s Way author Julia Cameron on this subject:
That creative child is still part of you. They didn't go anywhere; they're just waiting for an invitation to come out and play again. And when they do, you might find that your creative work—both professional and personal—takes on new life, new energy, and new joy.
What will you create today, just for the fun of it? Then post it. Email it. Show it…like I just did.
