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Approach life with childlike wonder
Insight from Thriving Women
Writing Contribution By Erin Solomon
Yesterday, I hopped on the train to my nearest Michaels craft store. (I could spend hours in that place!) As I wandered slowly through the aisles, I stumbled across the watercolor section. I’ve always been drawn to watercolor art prints and I’ve even bought a few for my apartment.
As I was staring at a rainbow watercolor palette, which happened to be on sale, it occurred to me that I could give painting with watercolors a try. (A radical idea, I know!) I thought, “If others can do it, why not me? If I’m no good at it, what’s the worst that will happen? Worst case, I throw a few unattractive paintings in the trash and give away the rest of my watercolor supplies. I can live with that.”
So, I bought the paint palette, along with a basic brush set (which also happened to be on sale) and a 99-cent tray. As I headed back home, my excitement grew. I couldn’t wait to tear open my supplies and give this new project a try! Who knows, maybe this could become a fun new hobby? Or maybe not. That’d be okay too. Either way, I will have fun with it.
That evening, I dug right in and gave it a shot without any hesitation. Much to my surprise, my very first painting, wasn’t a complete disaster! In fact, I kind of liked it!
I sat there for hours, playing, exploring, and giving myself permission to make mistakes. I didn’t judge the outcome too harshly or have a right way of doing it in mind. Without the pressure of becoming the next Picasso, I was able to laugh when a brush stroke didn’t quite turn out as I’d envisioned. I experimented with different ways to fix things I didn’t like, adding more water or a different color. I changed a misshaped star into a beautiful large flower.
Over time, I learned how to work with the paint – to add water if I wanted a lighter look or more paint to make it heavier. And I discovered which brush to use to create different looks. Before I knew it, I had 5 or 6 not-too-terrible pieces of art that I created all while having an absolute blast!
In fact, I had so much fun that I completely lost track of time and had to peel myself away from the watercolors to get to sleep.
That night, as I laid in bed, I couldn’t help but think about how fun it was to try something new and outside of my comfort zone; something I haven’t done since I was a kid.
I began to wonder why we don’t approach more in life the way I’d approached this little painting experiment. Why don’t we have more childlike wonder and just try things?
Here’s what I’ve come to realize:
We put so much pressure on ourselves to have the perfect outcome that we fear failure and don’t even give things a try.
It’s a shame because we end up missing out on incredible opportunities for a new business, friendships, a new hobby, growth, fun—whatever it may be.
When we do try things, we often don’t allow ourselves to see the beauty in what we’ve created, focusing instead on what we didn’t do (I know I’ve certainly done that before).
Or we attach ourselves to certain ways of doing things and give up when that doesn’t work, instead of trusting that if we truly want a certain outcome, we’ll figure out a way to do it along the way. We’ll adjust and readjust, learning from what works and what doesn’t work, just as I did with the watercolor techniques.
After all, some of the best things, like the invention of the light bulb, were made from hundreds or even thousands of “failed” attempts. The key is not to give up; try a new strategy until you figure out what works.
Above all else, I realized that many of us take everything in life so incredibly seriously. Seriously! We forget to play, experiment, HAVE FUN, learn, grow, and treat things with just a little bit more lightness.
Whether it’s trying out a new hobby or simply looking at things you currently do in a new way, wouldn’t it bring you joy and lightness if you approached it with a childlike, judgment-free, explorative viewpoint? Wouldn’t you have more fun along the way?
In the next 30 days, I challenge you to test out some of your own childlike wonder!
Always wanted to try calligraphy? Give it a shot! Want to learn to create a website? If did it (I did), I’m betting you can too! Whatever it is, have fun with it! Turn some music on and let your creative juices flow. Don’t worry about the outcome or the right way of doing things, just enjoy the process.
P.S. – If you want to read more about the idea of lightening up and having more fun with creativity, check out Elizabeth Gilbert’s incredible book called Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it to anyone, especially those creating!
About Erin.
Erin is a life coach, writer, and former BigLaw attorney. She lives in downtown Chicago where she enjoys city life, going to the beach, strength training, cooking, meeting up with friends, and traveling. Erin is passionate about helping entrepreneurial women learn how to shed fear, quiet their inner critic, gain confidence to share their unique talents and gifts, and get the freedom lifestyle they desire.
Connect with Erin on her website and Instagram
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Hi, I'm Dannielle
I hope you enjoy these various online resources from my 4-year exploration and research, which include: The Practice of Living as we Intend podcast, downloadable worksheets, writings, and incredible interviews with women, about all things thriving!
Be moved to live as you intend!
What a great post! You’re right – we get so bogged down with the nitty gritty of “adult” life that we often forget the magic the world holds in the simplest things.
I love how you phrased “magic in the simple things”….Thanks Emily! xo~D
Your paintings look awesome! Good for you for jumping into something you enjoy!
Love this. When you’re truly an artistic person, you can’t help it. Creating is fun! Keep experimenting and have fun doing it.
Wonderful post! Lots of great tips I will definitely try out!!
it’s so easy to forget how to expirement and try things just for the sake of trying them but you’re right we need to do those things. It helps us grow 🙂
The paintings came out beautifully, but even more important is the message! This is a wonderfully written reminder to ease up on ourselves and try new things! Thank you!
Such pretty art work. Love the colors. I also love all your advice. Couldn’t agree more. Trying new things help us grow.
❥ tanvii.com
Yes!! So insightful! I am definitely guilty of being such a serious nelly sometimes. I get so caught up on my checklist, I forget to stop and smell (or paint!) all the flowers ?
Ha! I love your comment Molly! I wholeheartedly agree! xo~D
Big Magic is such an awesome book. I am constantly inspired by my daughter when it comes to things like this. Her childlike wonder and the way she leads with her heart is always a reminder that I should do the same!
I love it! And such pretty paintings too!
D, This is so enlightening and I hope your readers take heart to her wise words! We always need to be learning and stretching our minds! And, how much fun would it be to learn something new and fun?
I couldn’t agree more Dedra! I needed to hear Erin’s words too! xo!D
I LOVE this post! If we did everything with childlike wonder, think of all the things we would do! We’d be unstoppable!! 🙂 This is so inspirational and I will think of this every time I hesitate before giving something a try.
xo, Taylor (thesprinkle.tayloramead.com)
I think we would be unstoppable Taylor! Thanks for your comment!! xo~D
Love your paintings and I love that you got lost in fun! I haven’t done that in a while. Great post!
Makes me want to get out my art easel too!!xo!D
Great inspirational story.
I am so busy all the time that I forget sometimes about the things I truly love to do.
I did the same thing as Erin did once, many years ago (I was in nursing school at the time).. Instead of water colors, I purchased a few fabrics, thread, yarn, cotton, buttons, and a few other supplies and made a beautiful little rag doll, which I still own.
Rosie, I named her. ?
Is a subtle reminder to make time for those little things that make our souls happy. ?
I love love love that you shared about “Rosie” Nataly. Thank you so much!! We can all learn by simply letting go! xo~D
Hi Erin,
I absolutley loved your post. I especially like how you said you gave yourself permission to make a mistake. I think this is important. Thank you for sharing this, it was an encouragment to me.
I so agree Cassidy! Thanks for your comment! xo~D
Oh my goodness, I love this so much! That is the right mind frame to have, “if I don’t like it I won’t continue if I make a mistake I’ll try again”. This is how I approach cooking. You’re right what’s the worst that can happen…
I love that you approach cooking this way Jen!!! xo~D