When was the last time you did something for yourself?

Years ago, I said I wanted to learn how to play guitar.

So, I was gifted a guitar for my birthday. Well, as life goes, things

changed and the guitar started collecting dust.

A few years later, I needed something to take my mind off a divorce I was in the middle of, something to help get me through this life change in a positive way.

I picked up the guitar, dusted it off, signed up for lessons,

and went for it. I am pretty sure I played the same two

chords over and over for months, but it allowed my mind to slow down to

stop being in overdrive and to move through this change with a little more grace.

It also made me put the glass of wine

down since I couldn’t play the guitar with one hand.

I knew I needed a creative outlet, something to put my mind to and give me time to process, to heal. Creative outlets are important to our emotional health. Creativity is shown to increase happiness, boost your immune system, reduce dementia and so much more.

Even engaging in those simple adult coloring books is a wonderful creative outlet.

Now I can play the guitar, I have so much fun with it and I gain more traction every day.

More importantly, I did something for myself--something

I said I wanted to learn. I went for it. I had to let go of the fear

of judgment about how bad it sounded because it wasn’t for

anyone else. It was for me and still is. As well as a super fun creative outlet.

When was the last time you did something for yourself, when was the last time you dusted off the guitar, dancing shoes, or paintbrush?

What is something you have put on the shelf, on hold, and is just collecting dust?

Go get it off the proverbial shelf.

Wipe it off and start for you.