My heart aches every time I hear someone say:

• "I can't sing!"

• "I can't dance!"

• "I can't draw!"

• "I can't paint!"

• "I can't write!"

• "I can't speak!"

• "I'm not creative!"

You see, I, too, had buried my fear of failure and rejection under these LIES until the Lord took me on a journey of profound healing, restoration, and transformation.

Creativity has always been a part of who I am, but it took years for me to fully embrace it. In I'm Creative, I share my journey of rediscovering the artistic spark that had been buried under the weight of life’s responsibilities. From childhood sketches to mixed-media explorations, this is the story of how I found my way back to creativity—and how it became a powerful expression of faith, healing, and joy.

When I was young, I loved to sing and wanted to be a singer, but I never felt good enough. At 19, I had a dream where I saw myself on stage, but when I woke up, I decided that wouldn't happen because I was just not good enough. In 2016, I joined the Greater Auckland Chorus, and for three years, God used them to train me, build my confidence, and ultimately disable the LIE "I can't sing!" Then, I hid for three more years in the church choir, and for the past 2 years, I've been singing on the worship team.

I still have a couple of my drawing and colouring books from the early 1980s, but I shut down after being molested in 1983 and never picked up a pencil again. In 2017, a friend invited me to join her for a graphic design course. Our first assignment, to draw something, initially had me paralysed, but it ultimately started my journey of rediscovering my creative identity and dismantling the LIE, I can't draw!"

I've always loved dancing, but when life happened, I slowly let go of the things that once brought me joy. Dancing faded into the background, overshadowed by responsibilities, disappointments, and the natural shifts that come with time. Clive was never particularly fond of dancing, and at social gatherings where others swayed freely to the music, I would silence the longing within me, pushing it down until it became a quiet echo—eventually so distant that I no longer felt it at all. I had buried it under the LIE, "I can't dance!".

I don't know where my intense fear of painting came from, but the deeply ingrained LIE "I can't paint!" was dismantled after a lovely Korean woman encouraged me to try after I joined her art group at a local church.

As a teenager, I found solace in writing poetry, but over time, I silenced my words, believing they weren’t good enough. Despite my brother’s encouragement and countless suggestions to write a book after sharing my testimony, I remained trapped in the LIE, “I can’t write!" That changed last year when I came across a Maxwell Leadership post about The Book in YOU, urging me to write it UGLY and sort it out later. That simple truth pushed me past my self-doubt, and This is My Story is the result — and so is my latest poem, Freedom in Unmasking the True Self, proof that the lie no longer has the final say.

Last year, my brother reminded me how our stepdad always told us to think before we speak—but somewhere along the way, we got stuck in the thinking and stopped speaking altogether. I’ve spent most of my life withdrawn, lost in my head, and believing the LIE, "I can’t speak!" Now, I’m actively working to change that by improving my communication skills and confronting my fear of public speaking. Next week, I’m attending the Speakers Institute Bootcamp to dismantle that LIE "I can't speak!", build confidence, and finally reclaim my voice.

These days, I embrace the fact that I'm an artist, a true "Jill of all trades and master of diversity" in all aspects of life. I believe that every human being is inherently creative. After all, we were made in the image of our Creator, who has revealed Himself as the Ultimate Creator. This beautiful concept is encapsulated in Genesis 1:27, reminding us that we reflect a divine purpose. Yet, it is disheartening to see how the enemy can dampen our creativity, primarily because of the significant impact it can have on people’s souls and their overall well-being.

Creativity is not just a pastime; it’s woven deeply into our DNA, an integral part of who we are. From personal experience, I've found that embracing this creativity has allowed me to discover new facets of myself and connect with others in profound ways. Each one of us has the potential to create, innovate, and inspire, mirroring the divine spark that resides within us.

I’ve come to realise that creativity is far more than a pastime — it is a powerful, transformative force that can guide us through trauma, depression, and overwhelming anxiety.

It can help us process pain and rediscover joy.

Science supports what I have experienced first-hand — creativity is a powerful tool for healing.

Research found that 80% of participants experienced reduced stress levels, a significant boost in self-esteem and a more positive self-image.

Creativity nurtures emotional expression, builds resilience, and offers a therapeutic outlet, ultimately contributing to better mental health and well-being.

When we choose to nurture our creative instincts, we’re not just honouring our Creator—we’re also fostering a sense of healing and transformation for ourselves and those around us. I firmly believe that reclaiming our creativity serves as a powerful tool for connection and purpose, bringing warmth and light into the world.

Let's embrace our creative gifts together. In doing so, we can inspire a ripple effect of positivity and love that reaches far beyond ourselves.