Women are masters at showing up for others but often forget to show up for themselves. The to-do lists never end, the demands never pause, and before we know it, our own needs fall to the bottom of the list—if they make the list at all. But what if prioritizing ourselves wasn’t just about rest or indulgence? What if it was the key to unlocking more success, confidence, and resilience? This is where creativity comes in.
One of the biggest challenges for women is setting aside intentional time to nurture and care for themselves. And I don’t mean just making time to get a manicure or a massage. I am talking about creating space for deep, intentional acts of self-love—nurturing the soul, heart, spirit, and mind with the purposeful intent of fortifying your well-being. And what better way to nurture yourself in this way than by engaging in creativity?
But why is this so hard? A few reasons. As women, we are conditioned to prioritize everyone else but ourselves. To set aside intentional time for ourselves is deemed selfish, which then brings unnecessary feelings of guilt. Caring for ourselves then becomes a language we can’t comprehend.
Obstacles to a creative practice include seeing it as a luxury—something we’ll get to later, when we’re less busy. Another common misconception is that creativity is reserved for "artists." But what if I told you that creativity enhances brain function, improves problem-solving skills, expands performance, and boosts overall success and well-being? And what if it was something you are already doing
What Is Creativity?
Creativity is simple. It’s the ability to imagine, problem-solve, and generate new ideas, and solutions. It’s about thinking outside the box and approaching life with curiosity and wonder.
You might not realize it, but you practice creativity every day—whether it’s brainstorming new ideas, adapting to unexpected challenges, or coming up with unique solutions. That means you are creative. You no longer have to question that.
Creativity is different from artistic expression. Artistic expression is how you choose to communicate your thoughts and ideas through a particular medium. Creativity, on the other hand, is not about innate talent—it’s a skill that already exists within you and can be cultivated and expanded.
The Neuroscience of Creativity: How It Impacts Brain Function and Performance
Engaging in creative practices leads to incredible transformations in your brain and body. Here’s how:
Stress Reduction
Creativity triggers the release of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—brain chemicals that improve mood, focus, and relaxation.
Dopamine enhances motivation, pleasure, and concentration
Serotonin boosts mood, memory, and learning
Oxytocin helps regulate the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting calm
When stress is managed, focus sharpens, decision-making improves, and confidence grows—all of which contribute to greater success.
Neuroplasticity
Regular creative practices strengthen neural pathways, improving cognitive flexibility and adaptability. This helps you:
Become more resilient in the face of challenges
Feel more empowered to tackle obstacles
Build confidence through problem-solving
Whole-Brain Power
Living primarily in left-brain mode (logic, language, analysis) limits adaptability and creativity. The right brain is where imagination, intuition, and emotional processing take place. Engaging both hemispheres allows for:
Broader perspectives and deeper insights
More innovative solutions
Greater emotional resilience
The Benefits of Regular Creative Practice
Enhanced Problem-Solving
Creativity strengthens cognitive flexibility, helping you think through challenges with clarity and confidence rather than getting stuck in overthinking loops.
Increased Emotional Intelligence
We are feeling beings, not just thinking beings. Creativity encourages self-expression, helping you regulate emotions, build confidence, and enhance emotional awareness.
Stress Reduction & Mental Clarity
Engaging in creativity fosters mindfulness, reducing overwhelm and increasing clarity and focus.
Boosted Productivity & Performance
Creativity boosts productivity by enhancing motivation and cognitive flexibility, making work feel more engaging and less rigid.
Stronger Leadership & Decision-Making
Creative leaders think strategically, make better decisions, and approach challenges with a broader perspective.
How to Cultivate Creativity for Personal and Professional Growth
Incorporate Small Creative Rituals
Daily doodling, free writing, or mindful art exercises can decrease stress and improve clarity.
Practice Mindful Creativity
Drawing or painting without judgment trains your brain to move through life’s challenges with ease.
Step Out of Routine
New experiences boost brain health, empowerment, and success. Try something outside your norm!
Reframe Failure as Experimentation
Creativity teaches you that mistakes aren’t failures—they’re part of the process, fostering resilience and a growth mindset.
WILD Woman Art Tip: Focusing on YOU
Materials:
Old magazines, glue, scissors, multi-media paper, paint
Activity:
1. Take deep breaths and tune in to things that bring you joy.
2. Select up to 10 images from magazines that resonate with you.
3. Narrow them down to 5 images.
4. Paint the paper if you like before gluing the images down.
5. Playfully arrange and glue the images in a way that feels good to you.
Journal Prompts:
How does it feel to get out of my head and into my intuition?
What is it like to “see myself” on paper in this way?
How does my body feel after this activity compared to before?
Creativity isn’t just a tool—it’s a strategy for success. The more you engage your creative mind, the more resilient, confident, and empowered you become.
So, where can you start today? Grab a notebook, doodle in the margins, or try the WILD Woman Art Tip. Just take one small step toward engaging your right brain—you’ll be amazed at what unfolds.
Myriam Martinez is an Art Therapist and Art Based Coach based out of Northern California. She gently guides women to connect to their WILD through the art process and deeper connection to self and supports them in building fierce self-confidence and feeling empowered. Her calling in this life is to teach women the power and importance of putting themselves first, loving themselves fiercely, and tapping into their creative intuition in order to bring more happiness, success, and ease into their lives.
To learn more about Myriam click here: https://www.myriammartinezcoaching.com/
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