My life is filled with “shoulds,” laundry that I should fold and put away, work that I should be doing when I really just want to curl up with a book, and any number of ways that Instagram makes me feel like I should be living. (Did you know that “fridgescaping” has become a thing, as in arranging the inside of your fridge to be Instagram-worthy?! Come on!) Unfortunately, all of this “shouldding” carries over into my quilting as well. There are UFOs that I should finish before I start something new. I should make quilts that have a purpose instead of just making whatever inspires me. I should create art that is more likely to sell. All of this “shouldding” can make it hard to just sit and quilt for the pure joy of it.
But here’s the thing: when we create because we love it, something shifts. The weight of those “shoulds” starts to loosen. The act of making—whether it’s quilting, painting, writing, or anything else—becomes a source of energy rather than another task on an endless to-do list.
I was reminded of this recently when I went back to an old project. It’s not something that I am making to enter into a quilt show, and it’s not one that I am making to sell. I just wanted to do something beautiful and challenging purely for the joy of creating, and I am finding myself a lot more enthusiastic about all of my quilting projects as a result.
Why Loving What You Do Matters
Making art for joy’s sake isn’t just about feeling good (though that’s reason enough). It’s about sustaining creativity in the long run. When we create only to meet expectations—whether our own or others’—we risk burnout. But when we allow ourselves to create freely, we tap into a wellspring of inspiration that fuels not just our art but our entire sense of well-being.
Yes, that’s easier said than done. There are always distractions, doubts, and the sneaky voice of comparison lurking in the background. Social media, in particular, can make it hard to create without self-judgment. When everything feels like it needs to be “worth sharing,” we lose sight of the private, sacred joy of making something just for ourselves.
Reconnecting with Love in Your Creative Practice
So how do we return to the simple love of creating? A few ideas:
- Make something you don’t plan to share. Give yourself permission to create something just for you—no audience, no expectations.
- Start with play. Work with a new material, experiment with an unfamiliar technique, or let yourself be messy.
- Follow your curiosity. Instead of asking “What should I make?” try asking, “What am I drawn to right now?”
- Set aside the unfinished. If an old project is weighing you down, it’s okay to let it rest. Give yourself space for something new. (Or, if it’s an old project that’s calling you but you put it away because there wasn’t any reason to work on it, it’s okay to bring it back out and push some other things aside.)
At the heart of it all, creativity is a relationship—between you and your materials, your imagination, and your emotions. When we shift our mindset from productivity to joy, from external validation to personal fulfillment, we give ourselves the freedom to create with love. And that love, in turn, nurtures not only our art but also our sense of purpose and well-being.
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