Unlock Your Inner Artist with 3 Simple Mindset Shifts

Why is it that so many of us hold a pencil, brush, or pen and suddenly freeze? We tell ourselves, "I’m not creative enough," or worse, "Why bother? Someone else can do it better." 

I hear this over and over. 

• “Why don’t I draw as well as you?” 
• “So-and-so’s pieces are AMAZING. Mine look so amateur.” 

Listen… Creativity doesn’t come from comparison. Creativity isn’t defined by precision or perfectionism. Creativity thrives when you give yourself permission to experiment, make “mistakes,” and… well, just PLAY. 

The questions you might be carrying with you aren’t just about drawing or painting; they’re about fear. Fear of failing, fear of being vulnerable, fear of not measuring up. 

But here’s the thing… Creativity, just like self-discovery, lives in the unknown. 

What if I told you that there are three simple mindset shifts anyone – even the most self-critical perfectionist – can adopt today to unlock the inner artist in them? 

Whether it’s through painting, doodling on the margins of your notebook, or creating a chaotic collage, these techniques aren’t just about making art more enjoyable. They’re also about deepening your connection to mindfulness, self-expression, and emotional well-being. 

Here are three Neuro Art mindset shifts to break through your creative blocks, rediscover your authenticity, and create with freedom. 

1. Redefine Perfection – There Are NO Mistakes in Art 

“But what if it’s ugly?” 

They say, “Without mistakes and screw-ups, you’ll never find a unique idea.” And trust me—I’ve been there. I used to think watercolours weren’t for me. My perfectionist tendencies drove me to use them like gouache or acrylics, controlling every wash and refusing to let a single drop run wild. 

My teacher at the time never took notice of my paintings. He would glance briefly, walk past my easel, and focus on the students he found more “exciting.” I felt invisible. 

Then one day, during an exercise, something totally unexpected happened. The paint ran everywhere. My “perfect” still life turned into a blurry mess that, in my eyes, resembled murky pond water. 

I thought it was ruined. 

But then, my teacher exclaimed, “Finally, Anna, you LET GO!” 

That screw-up became my breakthrough. 

From that moment on, I realised mistakes weren’t failures. They’re experiments, opportunities, and stepping stones towards finding your unique voice. Without experimenting, you’re just repeating someone else’s work. 

Action Tip: Challenge Your Established Patterns. If you always start with a sketch, begin with a spontaneous wash of color instead. Draw on an unfamiliar paper or canvas format. Or try sketching with your non-dominant hand.

2. Flow Over Control – Tap into Mindful Drawing 

When did art go from being fun to being another source of stress? 

For a lot of us, the magic of drawing, singing, or creating is overshadowed by an overbearing inner critic. The expectation to “get it right” hijacks the process, leaving no room for flow. 

Here’s where Neuro principles come in. Being mindful, present, and connected to the process means staying in flow and letting go of the end results. Notice the way the pencil feels in your hand. Celebrate the unpredictable way ink stains the page. 

Mindful drawing doesn’t just create beautiful art; it grounds you. It’s a spiritual practice, a way of engaging with yourself and the present moment. 

Some of my students in workshops often say, “I wanted to quit halfway through; it didn’t look like I thought.” Yet, by sticking with it, they find shapes, patterns, and emotions emerge they never expected. 

Action Tip: Schedule five minutes of “mindful drawing” into your day. Try focusing solely on the motion of your hand. You may draw intuitively or use some techniques of mindful drawing ..

3. Be Bored, Be Curious 

When was the last time you were bored? 

It sounds counterintuitive, but boredom is a gateway to creativity. It creates space for your mind to wander. Too often, we fill every free second with buzzing notifications or endless streams of content. When your brain endlessly consumes, it forgets how to create. 

Art styles like Neuro Arts taps into childlike curiosity, inviting you to look at the world and say, “What if…?” 

When I’m stuck, I don’t force my way through blocks. Instead, I switch gears. Sometimes I’ll scribble freely in my sketchbook. Other times, I’ll use intuitive drawing or randomly pair two colours that “don’t go.” 

Curiosity drives discovery. 

Action Tip: Next time you feel creatively blocked, schedule a “no-schedule” moment. Set down your phone, stare at the ceiling, or watch how sunlight reflects on glass. Give your boredom room to play. 

Why This Matters Beyond the Canvas 

The benefits of creative freedom aren’t restricted to a sketchbook. Creativity relieves stress, calms the mind, and rewrites your narratives about control and failure. 

When you’re free to “colour outside the lines” in art, you slowly retrain your brain to challenge rigidity in other parts of your life. Whether it’s a career decision, a tense conversation, or even , you’ll find it easier to embrace uncertainty. 

Art is always a process of transforming something. If you allow it, it can transform YOU. 

Your Next Step 

Creativity is waiting for you—to reconnect with play, to get curious, to boldly make mistakes. 

The three shifts we’ve explored today are just the beginning of what art can unlock. 

Do you want structured techniques and mindful prompts to deepen your creative self-discovery? Join me in our next NeuroArt Workshop and experience what it feels like to create without limits. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned artist, you’ll surprise yourself. 

Because mistakes aren’t the enemy; stagnation is.