Reclaim your creative self
Reconnect with the creative passions you left behind and explore new ones.
Reconnect with your creativity in a real, doable way.
If it’s been a while since you made space for creativity, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve been busy, burned out, or told yourself that creative time isn’t “productive enough.” But the part of you that used to light up while writing, making, moving, or dreaming? It’s still there.
You don’t need a big plan to find your way back. You just need a starting point that makes room for joy, curiosity, and a little self-trust.
New here? Welcome.
I’m Michelle, a life coach, course creator, and recovering overachiever who finally got tired of chasing the wrong version of success. I don’t believe in perfect lives. I believe in intentional ones.
I started Intendify Your Life to help people stop living for everyone else and start building a life that feels like home.
Warning: I’m a little blunt, a little nerdy, and wildly in favor of tough love and bold decisions.
Want to know the whole story? Start here.
At Intendify, we break life down into 12 key areas and offer guided paths to help you reflect, plan, and take action so you can start living more intentionally, one step at a time.
It’s like having a life coach in your pocket, minus the awkward eye contact.
Step 1: Reflect on what’s really going on with your creative expression
If you feel disconnected from your creativity, there’s a reason. And it’s probably not because you “just got lazy” or “grew out of it.” Life gets busy. Expectations creep in. And sometimes, we silence the creative part of ourselves to survive what’s in front of us.
Let’s name what’s really getting in the way.
Signs your creative self might be hiding:
You miss having a creative outlet, but never get around to it
You feel silly or guilty doing things “just for fun”
You scroll through inspiring content, but rarely create your own
You avoid starting because it won’t be “good enough”
You feel a little numb or flat in your free time
Sound familiar? Then your creativity might not be gone; it might just be buried.
So what?
Creativity isn’t optional. It’s one of the ways you stay connected to yourself. And when it’s missing, life starts to feel smaller and more draining than it needs to.
Reflection activity
Before we jump into action, let's slow down and notice what's happening under the surface. Creativity is deeply personal, and the roadblocks aren’t always obvious.
Try this: Grab a journal or open a blank doc and ask yourself these questions:
When did I last feel creative in a way that was just for me?
What voices or beliefs show up when I think about doing something creative?
What do I miss most about how I used to create?
You don’t need to answer them all. Just pick one and let your mind wander.
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Articles to help you explore how you feel about your creative life
Step 2: Try something small
Use micro-challenges to find your creative spark
I talk to a lot of people who say some version of this:
“I used to be creative. But now I don’t know where to start.”
And under that sentence is usually a mix of things:
The pressure to do it right
The fear of looking foolish
The sheer exhaustion of adding one more thing to an already full plate
If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong. But you may be asking the wrong question.
Instead of asking:
“How do I become creative again?”
Try asking:
“What tiny thing could I try that might wake something up?”
That’s where micro-challenges come in.
What’s a micro-challenge?
Micro-challenges are bite-sized creative experiments. They don’t require a plan. Or a skill set. Or special supplies.
They’re not about output. They’re about activation.
Think of them like creative jumper cables. They give your imagination a little jolt, without the expectation to perform. They’re short. They’re weird. They’re playful.
And if you choose the right ones?
They’ll help you start feeling curious again instead of creatively stuck.
Why they work (especially when you’ve been creatively frozen)
When you’ve been in a long season of survival mode, or you’ve convinced yourself you’re “not creative,” it’s hard to just jump into a big art project. Your brain will fight you on it. Your schedule will pretend not to allow it.
That’s why micro-challenges are so powerful. They sidestep the resistance because you’re not trying to make something amazing. You’re just trying something.
And that matters more than you think.
Because every time you do something creative without pressure, you're:
Proving to yourself that creativity can fit into your life
Rewiring the part of your brain that thinks “I’m not good at this.”
Building momentum through curiosity instead of perfectionism
Learning what actually lights you up (instead of what you should enjoy)
What this looked like for me
When I was trying to reclaim my own creativity, I didn’t start with vision boards or art journaling.
I started by making ridiculous fake commercials in my head while I folded laundry.
Like:
“Introducing Sock Party™—the exclusive club for single socks who are tired of commitment but still want companionship.”
I started taking five weird photos on my walk every morning. I took pictures of shadows, cracked pavement, and leaves that looked like little creatures.
None of it was “art,” but it made me feel more like me. (You caught me. I’m weird.)
That was the spark I’d been looking for. And it came from small, silly challenges, not big, serious projects.
7 Micro-challenges to try this week
If you want to ease back into creativity, without signing up for anything overwhelming, try one (or all) of these:
Write a one-line journal entry using a metaphor. Instead of “I feel tired,” try “I’m a phone running on 4%, pretending I’ve got 50.”
Make a “mood collage” out of junk mail or screenshots. Don’t try to explain it. Just trust the glue stick (or your Pinterest board instincts).
Take a photo every day for 5 days, but only of objects that look like faces. Is it weird? Yes. Is it fun? Also yes.
Create a playlist for a movie scene that doesn’t exist. What would you play if you were walking away from an explosion in slow motion... after just quitting a job you hated?
Doodle your inner critic, but give it ridiculous hair. Then give it a name. Mine is named Barbara. She’s very concerned about productivity and is honestly kind of rude.
Rename your desktop folders with dramatic flair. “Taxes” becomes “The Reckoning.” “Work stuff” becomes “Things I Do for Rent.” Instant upgrade.
Write a tiny letter to your childhood self about how you’re bringing creativity back. Doesn’t need to be deep. Could just say, “Hey, remember that weird story you wrote in grade 3? I’m starting again. For both of us.”
You don’t need talent, supplies, or a Pinterest board to start. Just try one low-pressure moment of creative play this week.
Try one of these:
Doodle for 10 minutes
Create a “just for fun” folder on your phone and add one photo, idea, or screenshot
Write a silly haiku or short note to your future self
Try the free 15-Day Creative Play Challenge for quick daily prompts using what you already have
Low-pressure creative play ideas (FREE download)
This FREE 15-day challenge gives you simple, low-pressure prompts you can do with whatever you already have. No kits. No prep. Just quick, creative moments designed to help you play, explore, and reconnect with yourself, one day at a time.
Articles to help you reconnect with your creativity
Challenge yourself
If you’re ready to explore creativity a little more intentionally, these small challenges will help you rebuild the habit. Each challenge is self-paced and designed to help you build confidence and joy.
Step 3: Go deeper with the blueprint
Rediscover what creativity means to you through guided reflection, gentle experimentation, and flexible planning. This Blueprint helps you explore different creative practices, figure out what actually lights you up, and build a version of creativity that fits your real life.