Creativity without pressure: how to create for joy, not just results
Have you ever felt like everything you create needs to be good, useful, or worth sharing? Maybe you sit down to draw, write, or brainstorm ideas, and instead of feeling inspired, you feel stuck—paralysed by the thought that it has to be something great.
I know that feeling all too well. For a long time, I put pressure on myself to make everything I created perfect. If I was going to share it, sell it, or post it, it had to be polished. But that kind of thinking slowly started to take the joy out of creating.
Then, something shifted. I gave myself permission to create without pressure—just for fun, just for me. And it changed everything.
In this post, I want to share how I’ve been embracing 5-minute creative challenges, why they’ve been so freeing, and three mindset shifts to help you create with joy instead of stress.
The Pressure to Create Something ‘Good’
We live in a world where creativity is often measured by how shareable, profitable, or ‘useful’ it is. We see incredible artists, writers, and content creators online, and it’s easy to start comparing ourselves.
“Will this be good enough?”
“Is this even worth sharing?”
“What if people don’t like it?”
And so, instead of creating freely, we get stuck overthinking every little detail. That’s when creativity starts to feel like work instead of play.
But what if we let go of all of that? What if we just created for the joy of it?
How a 5-Minute Challenge Changed My Approach
A few weeks ago, I decided to try something different: a simple, five-minute creative challenge. No expectations. No overthinking. Just five minutes to create whatever I felt like.
Some days, I doodle in my sketchbook.
Other days, I write a few sentences of a story.
Sometimes, I just experiment with colour and texture—no plan, just play.
And you know what? It’s been the most freeing creative habit I’ve ever had.
When I take away the pressure to be ‘good’, I actually create more. I explore ideas I wouldn’t have before. And most importantly, I enjoy the process again.
I’ve started sharing these quick sketches on Frame Your World’s Instagram (@frameyourworldco_art) and my Creative & Curious Instagram (@creativeandcuriousclub)—not because they’re perfect, but because they remind me (and hopefully others) that creativity doesn’t always have to have a purpose. It’s okay to create just because it makes you happy.
Three Mindset Shifts to Help You Create Without Pressure
If you’ve been feeling stuck in your creativity, these three simple mindset shifts might help:
1: Create Like No One Is Watching
Some of the best ideas come when we’re not worried about other people’s opinions. Try making something just for yourself—something you never plan to share. It can be messy, weird, unfinished… but that’s the point. Give yourself permission to create in private.
2: Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome
Instead of asking, “Is this good?”, ask, “Did I enjoy making this?” Shift your focus from the end result to the simple joy of exploring ideas, playing with techniques, and expressing yourself freely.
3: Let Curiosity Lead the Way
Follow what excites you. Even if it seems random, even if it doesn’t fit into your ‘style’—if something sparks your interest, explore it! Curiosity is the key to staying inspired.
Your Creative Challenge: Try This Today!
I’d love for you to try this for yourself:
Set a timer for 5 minutes and create something—anything!
Doodle, write, paint, take a creative photo—whatever feels fun.
Tag me on Instagram (@creativeandcuriousclub) if you do! I’d love to see what you create.
Because creativity shouldn’t feel stressful—it should feel freeing.
Let’s make space for more joy, more play, and more curiosity. ✨
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll love Episode 4 of The Creative & Curious Podcast! I dive even deeper into this topic and share more about how creativity can feel effortless when we stop overthinking it.