How to be kind to yourself when you make art

I heard this quote today:

Healing is not becoming the best version of yourself, it's letting the worst version be loved.

Now, what does that mean for your art and creativity?

It means giving yourself a break! If the drawing didn't turn out the way you wanted it to, if you're not improving as fast as you would want to, if you feel like you're not original enough... You are still worthy of love and self care.

We're all different. We have different thoughts and feelings, and so we're going to need different things to be happy. Some days it will be art that makes us feel good, while other days it might be something completely different. The important thing is to listen to yourself, hear what you need, and then do it. No one else can do that for you. Sometimes just sitting down drawing can help when we're feeling like crap. And sometimes we just need a break, even from art. Both options are totally ok.

Doing something you love even when you don't feel like it can lift your spirits. In the end, art is a powerful medium that can help deal with everything from stress to depression to anxiety. Just keep listening to yourself, and take your own unique feelings into consideration. No one will know what's best for you but you. I always encourage myself and others to draw something every day, and to push ourselves. But if you take a few deep breaths, try to draw and you feel worse, taking a break is absolutely ok.
Be present in the moment with your own mind and you will know what you need.

The important thing is this: the key to your mental health and creativity hinges on the way you treat yourself. Don't be so hard on yourself, but do listen when something can help you. Form your own opinions and trust yourself when it comes to creative ideas. You'll have a whole new experience with art and other creative outlets.

Push yourself with kindness. Love yourself at your best and your worst.