Art and creativity for a happier and better man

by Ryan P.

Throughout the daily activities of life, I used to come home feeling tired, never having the energy to actually do anything other than lay on the couch and watch television until it was time to go to sleep, wake up, and repeat the cycle. I didn't have too many hobbies aside from reading the occasional book or magazine, and my wife and I usually did our own separate things at night. That all changed while we were out shopping one weekend and I picked up some art supplies from a local craft store. I bought a cheap, simple, case of colored pencils that were probably made more for a kid and a sketch pad. I didn't try it out the first night, but was determined to do so starting the upcoming Monday evening. I was excited to get home from work and actually have something to look forward to. At first I started drawing simple sketches, nothing more than some lines here and there and attempts to draw objects. A couple of weeks went by and I started reading up on drawing techniques online, and trying to improve my skills. It has been 3 months since I first bought those initial tools, and have upgraded to a more extensive set of colored pencils, and pastels. I've moved from mimicking objects to expressing my own creative ideas on paper. Picking up this hobby not only improved my physical and mental health, but my relationship as well. I have a renewed sense of life in me, and am ready to try new things each and every day. I feel like I can accomplish anything if I put my mind to it, and am happier than I have been in years. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for art, and tapping into my mind's creativity, I would be less of a man than I am today.