Embracing the Unknown:How New Experiences Fuel Creativity and Mental Wellness

Creativity as a Lifeline for Mental Health

I know full well that trying new things is very scary; from moving into a new house to trying a new artistic medium can be daunting. It feels weird to start from scratch when you know you aren’t going to be good at it, and nobody likes to feel like they aren’t good at something. 

In reality, trying something new doesn’t have to be big or intimidating. It can be as simple as picking up a brush and experimenting with watercolors for the first time, trying out a new type of pencil, or even just rearranging your workspace. These little shifts can seem insignificant, but they all contribute to breaking out of your comfort zone.

Even with small changes, insecurities about failing, embarrassing yourself, or ‘wasting your precious time’ often arise when stepping out of your comfort zone.

Now I am here to tell you that those feelings, even if they feel valid, tend to stem from what society has taught us when in reality trying something new doesn’t always have to have that much pressure.

It is okay to do something just for the hell of it!

It is okay to try something new even if it doesn’t lead to anything else!

It is okay to feel nervous and insecure, but do that new thing anyway because even if you are ‘bad’ at it, who cares! Trying it out doesn’t affect anyone else around you – They don’t even have to know you tried something new if you don’t want to tell them.

The Growth that Comes from Trying New Things

Now that the initial pep-talk has got you thinking that trying something new might not be so bad, you may still be wondering: “But why?”, “How’s that going to help me?” “Do I even need to try something new?”

Well, the answer is yes! Especially as a creative human being (even if you are just creative every so often and not as a business—you are still creative!). Trying something new, like creativity itself, is vital for our brains.  When we step out of our routines and step out of our comfort zones, it allows our brains to rewire and refresh; it changes our thinking patterns which then boosts our creativity.

For those who struggle with mental health challenges,  a creative outlet, whether that’s art, writing, crafting, or any other creative endeavor, can help you process emotions and can give a sort of escape from everyday stress

Now, for all those people out there who are creative 24/7, it’s part of your daily life in some way, or maybe it’s your whole job being creative—which is great, congrats on accomplishing that dream—but you guys still need to try something new every now and then. 

Even if you’re creative regularly, you can still get set in your ways or stuck in routines. You may have worked your whole life to reach your creative dream—and that’s great!—but don’t get complacent. Keep your brain sharp and on its toes!}

Breaking Creative Blocks through Change

I truly believe as artists, creatives, and even just human beings, that we owe it to ourselves to embrace the unknown and not to cower from it. In the beginning, it is always going to be scary and difficult, but I think that trying new things is the first and easiest way to start getting more comfortable with the unknown. And if you know me at all then you know that I love to push people to think differently about the things that used to previously frighten us—take a look at my monster blog post for more on this. 

I also think that creativity is very closely linked to the unknown which I think is what led me to be so fascinated with the concept of “the unknown.” Creatives of all kinds draw inspiration from ‘the unknown,’ whether they realize it or not.

That’s another reason why, even if you have a very regular art practice, you will still experience some blocks – whether that be artist’s blocks or even just blocks in life where you feel like you may be stuck. These moments are when you should go back to pulling inspiration from “the unknown.” 

It can be as simple as trying a new art medium, experimenting with a different style, or, if you’re not entirely comfortable with your art, watching a new ‘how-to’ video or trying a new craft or DIY project. For example, as an artist, maybe try switching from oils to acrylics. Or if you’re into writing, try poetry instead of fiction. If you’re into DIY, take a crack at a completely different craft like woodworking or embroidery.

Trying new things is a huge key to getting anyone out of any block or stagnation in life or in art, but that isn’t all that it does. Creativity is also known to help improve your mental health and well-being by helping your brain develop more resilience and adaptability when presented with new stimuli. And even if it may feel anxiety-inducing in the beginning, trying something new is actually shown to help reduce anxiety, by allowing a safe environment to help develop coping mechanisms for when you experience uncertainty or other situations that are out of your comfort zone.

Mindful Experimentation: Finding Joy in the Process

Now that we know all the great benefits of trying something new and embracing the unknown, let’s talk about the best way to go about trying something new.Rather than worrying about the outcome, focus on the process of discovery and the joy of exploration.

So, for all my perfectionists out there, this is not going to be the place for that perfectionism. I get it—perfectionism isn’t all bad. If you run an art business, it’s probably useful, and even for crafters working on tedious DIY projects, it has its place.” I totally get it, I am also a perfectionist and I am not going to go into all the nitty-gritty of getting past being a perfectionist—check out my perfectionism post.

I understand it’s never as easy as saying “Hey I won’t be a perfectionist this one time,” I get it, I have also dealt with it in every single thing I do. But mindset plays a big part in how ‘successful’ trying something new will be for you. Now everyone sees “success” in a different way, but when it comes to trying something new, the only success factor is if you enjoy yourself!

So, when you start trying something new you HAVE to keep in mind that there is no expectation for it to come out “good” or “bad” or anything! There is no need to put any pressure on yourself because the only thing that affects the outcome of “trying something new” is the feelings it gives and the brain break that it can offer.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, creativity isn’t about perfection or mastery; it’s about the joy of exploration and the freedom to try. So, go ahead—try something new. Whether you succeed or stumble, you’re still growing, learning, and expanding your creative horizons. 

The next time you feel stuck, remember that every new experience is an opportunity to unlock a new part of yourself.

Now it’s your turn: What will you try today? Have you recently experimented with something new? Drop a comment below, or share your experience with me. Did it inspire you or surprise you in any way? I’d love to hear about your creative adventures—let’s inspire each other!