I love this! I did start again after 7 years of not being creative, and it was a return to myself, I feel like my creativity is now me, my whole self, my expression. Start again is for the brave, for the ones that believe that’s lots more than just giving up!
Ayleen, yes. This gave me chills. That line—my creativity is now me—it’s so true and so powerful. Starting again after seven years? That’s courage. That’s a deep kind of self-trust.
You’re right—it’s not about giving up. It’s about choosing yourself. Over and over again. And what you said about it being a return to yourself? That’s exactly how it feels when we come back to our art. Not like starting over, but like coming home.
Thank you for sharing this—you just gave a whole lot of women permission to begin again.
Aaaaw thanks for your kind words! I honestly want to shout to the world, so people start seeing how creative they are, how powerful our creativity is!! Stop hiding behind fears that don’t belong to us! ❤️❤️❤️
Yes! I’m right there with you! I want to throw open all the windows and shout it too—you are already creative, already enough, already powerful.
The world needs what’s inside of us, not some polished, perfect version. Thank you for bringing so much heart and fire to this conversation. We need it! ❤️❤️❤️
What an inspring post and i love your angles. A bit like finding the smallest possible step to take.
I am however sometimes wondering what it is with this ‘permission’. I ‘often’ see it used primarily by people living in the States… I have begun to wonder if it might be a partially cultural thing?
Terms like ‘you don’t need permission’ or ‘give yourself permission to…’ as a Scandinavian this feels ‘no, of course I don’t need permission’.
- the next question would of course be; which roadblocks do we have instead :)
Majken, I love this reflection—and your curiosity about cultural nuances is so thoughtful. You're absolutely right—“permission” language is everywhere in the States, especially in personal growth and creative circles. I think for many of us here, it’s less about actual permission and more about unlearning deeply rooted expectations: productivity, perfection, approval from others.
It’s like we’re reminding ourselves (and each other) that it’s okay to want what we want, to rest, to play, to create for the joy of it—not just to perform or achieve.
I love your next question—what are the roadblocks in your cultural context? That feels like such a rich conversation waiting to unfold. Thank you for sharing this—it really got me thinking. 💛
Indeed, it feels like what could be a deep and very interesting conversation. If you've got the terrace, I'll bring the wine? :D
Permission to me is something others decide. They grant me the right to choose. That feels very external - as I need to ask and then someone/something/cultural norm decides, if that is considered okay. That of course also exists in the scandinavian culture - but on other topics topics and then again, not really to a large extent.
I continued the train of thought - what are our roadblocks...:
When it comes to personal development, doing art, being creative - then it seems to be a project of one's own personal choice. But this can be to such a large extent that it becomes your own (darn) fault if you do not manage to carve out time to prioritise yourself in the middle of children, household, full time job etc. So it becomes a personal project and only one to blame. (yourself). And to some extent, this may sound easier, but also harder to act upon...?!?
Majken, yes—and now I really want to have this conversation on the terrace with a drink soft light and a long evening ahead.
You’ve touched something so important: that tension between freedom and responsibility. When no one is stopping us from creating or prioritizing ourselves, it should feel liberating… but somehow, it can start to feel like failure when we can’t make it happen. Like, “Well, I could have made art today, so if I didn’t, I must not be serious, or worthy, or whatever story I’ve been carrying around.”
It’s such a tricky place—when permission isn’t the barrier, but the overwhelm of being the only one responsible is.
Thank you for naming it with such clarity. It’s not just about giving ourselves permission—it’s about giving ourselves compassion for the life we’re already managing. And maybe letting “starting small” count as success.
*puts on wool socks, grabs a blanket and a drink. Heading for the terrasse - spring is coming, but the evenings are still a bit chilly*
Lynn - You mention in an earlier comment that it is 'okay to create for joy, just not to perform or achieve'. Does that mean that we have to aim for mediocre? But where does permission fit in - If we have to ask for permission, is it then to act on being creative or to actually be good at being creative (what ever good is)...?
Yes, I fully agree with your interpretation. Freedom can be 'too free' in the sense you describe: I could have made art today, and since I didn't manage, then art is not a priority to me, I must be better at managing my time, I am not serious enough about it, it obviously isn't important enough to me... Or maybe, just maybe, I am tired, overwhelmed by life. And just maybe, the only thing I need is exactly what I didn't get - time to be me, time to be creative.
When you write compassion - one way to interpret that is to prioritise what is important to me? Or how are your thoughts behind compassion?
Maybe we lack a language for what creativity also represents? - Why does it seem more acceptable to play soccer twice a week? Go to the gym? It could be interpreted in a way that the gym is good for your health, and by that, more 'necessary' and 'sensible' than being creative seems in 'someones' (by culture) minds?
*Lights a couple of outdoor candles. Tugs the blanket around my legs. Curious to hear your angle*
Majken, I feel like I just joined you out there on the terrasse—blanket wrapped, candles glowing, your words stirring something deep in me.
You’re naming such important questions: What does it mean to create for joy without feeling like we’re aiming for mediocrity? Where does permission come from—and what is it really for?
I think permission isn’t about asking to be “good.” It’s about releasing the grip of proving, performing, and producing. It’s saying: I am allowed to make something that nourishes me—even if it never hangs on a wall or earns applause. That kind of permission is radical. Especially in a culture that values output over presence.
And yes—compassion, to me, is exactly what you described: the choice to honor what’s important to you. It’s giving yourself time to be, even when the world says, “do.” It’s seeing tiredness and resistance not as failures, but as signals that you might need something gentler, slower, more real.
I do think we lack a shared language for what creativity really gives us. Not just pretty things—but meaning, self-trust, integration. Soccer and the gym get a pass because they have measurable benefits. But what if painting, journaling, or wandering with a sketchbook was seen as soul-keeping?
Thank you for this reflection. I’m tucking it beside me like a cup of tea.
Tracey, I’m so glad it landed at just the right time. You’re not alone in this—we’re all figuring it out together, one gentle step at a time. Sending love and a little creative spark your way today!
Ahh, I love that! 🎉 Nothing like fresh art supplies to spark some creative energy. Perfect timing indeed—hope you have so much fun diving in! Can’t wait to see what you create. 😊🎨
Thank you! That’s exactly the reminder I needed too—sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is just be here. No pressure, no performance… just presence. 💛
Right?! It’s wild how something as simple as giving ourselves permission can shift everything. And yes, the eternal "I'll wash that brush later" — I felt that deep. Here's to fresh starts, forgiving ourselves, and maybe even washing the brush once in a while 😉💛
I love this! I did start again after 7 years of not being creative, and it was a return to myself, I feel like my creativity is now me, my whole self, my expression. Start again is for the brave, for the ones that believe that’s lots more than just giving up!
Ayleen, yes. This gave me chills. That line—my creativity is now me—it’s so true and so powerful. Starting again after seven years? That’s courage. That’s a deep kind of self-trust.
You’re right—it’s not about giving up. It’s about choosing yourself. Over and over again. And what you said about it being a return to yourself? That’s exactly how it feels when we come back to our art. Not like starting over, but like coming home.
Thank you for sharing this—you just gave a whole lot of women permission to begin again.
Aaaaw thanks for your kind words! I honestly want to shout to the world, so people start seeing how creative they are, how powerful our creativity is!! Stop hiding behind fears that don’t belong to us! ❤️❤️❤️
Yes! I’m right there with you! I want to throw open all the windows and shout it too—you are already creative, already enough, already powerful.
The world needs what’s inside of us, not some polished, perfect version. Thank you for bringing so much heart and fire to this conversation. We need it! ❤️❤️❤️
What an inspring post and i love your angles. A bit like finding the smallest possible step to take.
I am however sometimes wondering what it is with this ‘permission’. I ‘often’ see it used primarily by people living in the States… I have begun to wonder if it might be a partially cultural thing?
Terms like ‘you don’t need permission’ or ‘give yourself permission to…’ as a Scandinavian this feels ‘no, of course I don’t need permission’.
- the next question would of course be; which roadblocks do we have instead :)
Majken, I love this reflection—and your curiosity about cultural nuances is so thoughtful. You're absolutely right—“permission” language is everywhere in the States, especially in personal growth and creative circles. I think for many of us here, it’s less about actual permission and more about unlearning deeply rooted expectations: productivity, perfection, approval from others.
It’s like we’re reminding ourselves (and each other) that it’s okay to want what we want, to rest, to play, to create for the joy of it—not just to perform or achieve.
I love your next question—what are the roadblocks in your cultural context? That feels like such a rich conversation waiting to unfold. Thank you for sharing this—it really got me thinking. 💛
Indeed, it feels like what could be a deep and very interesting conversation. If you've got the terrace, I'll bring the wine? :D
Permission to me is something others decide. They grant me the right to choose. That feels very external - as I need to ask and then someone/something/cultural norm decides, if that is considered okay. That of course also exists in the scandinavian culture - but on other topics topics and then again, not really to a large extent.
I continued the train of thought - what are our roadblocks...:
When it comes to personal development, doing art, being creative - then it seems to be a project of one's own personal choice. But this can be to such a large extent that it becomes your own (darn) fault if you do not manage to carve out time to prioritise yourself in the middle of children, household, full time job etc. So it becomes a personal project and only one to blame. (yourself). And to some extent, this may sound easier, but also harder to act upon...?!?
Majken, yes—and now I really want to have this conversation on the terrace with a drink soft light and a long evening ahead.
You’ve touched something so important: that tension between freedom and responsibility. When no one is stopping us from creating or prioritizing ourselves, it should feel liberating… but somehow, it can start to feel like failure when we can’t make it happen. Like, “Well, I could have made art today, so if I didn’t, I must not be serious, or worthy, or whatever story I’ve been carrying around.”
It’s such a tricky place—when permission isn’t the barrier, but the overwhelm of being the only one responsible is.
Thank you for naming it with such clarity. It’s not just about giving ourselves permission—it’s about giving ourselves compassion for the life we’re already managing. And maybe letting “starting small” count as success.
Let’s definitely keep this conversation going.
*puts on wool socks, grabs a blanket and a drink. Heading for the terrasse - spring is coming, but the evenings are still a bit chilly*
Lynn - You mention in an earlier comment that it is 'okay to create for joy, just not to perform or achieve'. Does that mean that we have to aim for mediocre? But where does permission fit in - If we have to ask for permission, is it then to act on being creative or to actually be good at being creative (what ever good is)...?
Yes, I fully agree with your interpretation. Freedom can be 'too free' in the sense you describe: I could have made art today, and since I didn't manage, then art is not a priority to me, I must be better at managing my time, I am not serious enough about it, it obviously isn't important enough to me... Or maybe, just maybe, I am tired, overwhelmed by life. And just maybe, the only thing I need is exactly what I didn't get - time to be me, time to be creative.
When you write compassion - one way to interpret that is to prioritise what is important to me? Or how are your thoughts behind compassion?
Maybe we lack a language for what creativity also represents? - Why does it seem more acceptable to play soccer twice a week? Go to the gym? It could be interpreted in a way that the gym is good for your health, and by that, more 'necessary' and 'sensible' than being creative seems in 'someones' (by culture) minds?
*Lights a couple of outdoor candles. Tugs the blanket around my legs. Curious to hear your angle*
Majken, I feel like I just joined you out there on the terrasse—blanket wrapped, candles glowing, your words stirring something deep in me.
You’re naming such important questions: What does it mean to create for joy without feeling like we’re aiming for mediocrity? Where does permission come from—and what is it really for?
I think permission isn’t about asking to be “good.” It’s about releasing the grip of proving, performing, and producing. It’s saying: I am allowed to make something that nourishes me—even if it never hangs on a wall or earns applause. That kind of permission is radical. Especially in a culture that values output over presence.
And yes—compassion, to me, is exactly what you described: the choice to honor what’s important to you. It’s giving yourself time to be, even when the world says, “do.” It’s seeing tiredness and resistance not as failures, but as signals that you might need something gentler, slower, more real.
I do think we lack a shared language for what creativity really gives us. Not just pretty things—but meaning, self-trust, integration. Soccer and the gym get a pass because they have measurable benefits. But what if painting, journaling, or wandering with a sketchbook was seen as soul-keeping?
Thank you for this reflection. I’m tucking it beside me like a cup of tea.
With gratitude and candlelight,
Lynn
I really needed to hear this today, thank you 🧡🐣💐
Tracey, I’m so glad it landed at just the right time. You’re not alone in this—we’re all figuring it out together, one gentle step at a time. Sending love and a little creative spark your way today!
I feel seen, thank you 😃💗
Love this. The timing is perfect. The first shipment of a new batch of art supplies is arriving at my house today. 😊🎨
Ahh, I love that! 🎉 Nothing like fresh art supplies to spark some creative energy. Perfect timing indeed—hope you have so much fun diving in! Can’t wait to see what you create. 😊🎨
Love this reset, no need to be productive, just be present.
Thank you! That’s exactly the reminder I needed too—sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is just be here. No pressure, no performance… just presence. 💛
Whew!! I needed that permission to start again without beating myself up, and I too believed I will wash out that brush later.
💛💛💛💛💛💛
Right?! It’s wild how something as simple as giving ourselves permission can shift everything. And yes, the eternal "I'll wash that brush later" — I felt that deep. Here's to fresh starts, forgiving ourselves, and maybe even washing the brush once in a while 😉💛