Get creative outside the classroom

By: Cally

The definition of amateur comes from the desire to do something regardless of skill. My name is Cally, I’m an artist and illustrator, and here are three reasons why everyone should have a creative hobby, even if you’re not good at it!  

1. Creative hobbies help clear your mind and turn ideas into reality!

Having a creative outlet is more important than you may think! It can be frustrating to have your ideas stuck in your head all the time and one easy way to actualize them is to write them down. Being creative can be therapeutic and is another way to communicate and express yourself. Also, try not to limit the creative outlets you use! It can be writing, design, art, crafting, photography, coding, world-building, scrapbooking, robotics, journaling, etc. There are so many options to choose from! The point of having a creative hobby is to give your ideas the attention that they deserve!

2. Creative hobbies can help you connect with other people and places

In every creative community, there will be someone else to guide you! We don’t devote our lives as young apprentices to painting on chapel ceilings anymore, but you will find the same level of mentorship and guidance offered by local or online communities. Being inexperienced or “bad” at your craft can be intimidating in a world of pros, but people will always invite new ideas. You don’t have to share your work with others – it can be for you and you alone – but just know that there will be people out there who will support it nonetheless!  

3. Creative hobbies can be as imperfect as you like!

Not everything needs to be perfect when it comes to this pastime – and you definitely don’t need to make your creative hobby your career! Sometimes, it just needs to be something that exists in a sketchbook, or a piece of prose hung on the fridge. It can be disorganized and scribbly, but if it means something to you, then it has worth! Hobbies should be fun, so you don’t have to hold them to any professional standards.

It can be frustrating to not be good at a new skill, but hobbies are a way of exploring your interests with little consequence. Don’t be afraid to get creative – love your creative hobbies, even if you’re not successful within them!  

Curious about creative hobbies?

If you’re looking to learn more about how passion and creativity come together in the Bachelor of Film and Television program, check out the Artist Talks blog below! If you want to find out if creative outlets like vision boarding or starting up a community blog on Substack are right for you, check out these other blogs! With tips, tricks, and advice from fellow student leaders, you’ll find some hidden gems that come from real, lived experience.