I never thought of myself as an artist. It started with a few paint-and-sip nights during grad school, just something fun to do with friends. But something clicked. I kept painting, first with acrylics, then watercolors, and now it’s part of my daily practice. I never thought of myself as creative, but here I am, painting in my Minnesota studio with my dogs napping nearby.

As a social psychologist and mindfulness instructor, I spend a lot of time thinking, teaching and talking about what it means to be human. Painting helps me slowdown. It’s where I play, experiment, and reconnect with joy.

This practice has become a gratitude ritual for me. It reminds me that creativity doesn’t need to be perfect, serious, or polished, it just needs to be honest. Each brushstroke is a nudge to stay curious, lighten up, and find beauty in the mess.