Freedom Within Limitations
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Permission to Create
What if you could create without rules? What if art was less about doing it “right” and more about simply starting? This is the story of how I learned to paint again – and what bloomed when I let go.
One of the first paintings I created when I gave myself permission to paint again after having kids was this abstract floral piece. I had started to realise that creativity wasn’t a self-indulgent luxury – it was a core value, something vital to my well-being. Spending time painting wasn’t just a hobby; it was a way of caring for my whole self.
Blooming on Your Own Terms
This painting is full of my favourite colours and, apart from the background, was created with sponges, icy pole sticks, skewers, and cotton buds (as were all the paintings in this post). I didn’t use traditional brushes – and that choice wasn’t random.
At the time, I was just beginning to learn about ADHD and understand the way my brain works. I watched a video by artist Phil Hansen (Embrace the Shake) about embracing and working within our limitations rather than seeing them as weaknesses, and it completely shifted my approach.

For so long, I had seen the time and effort of setting up and packing away as barriers. I judged myself for struggling to clean brushes or manage the mess of a typical painting session. I saw myself as lazy or not dedicated enough.
But what if, instead of resisting or being put off by these challenges, I could work with them?
I started using sponges that I could let dry and reuse, cotton buds I could throw away, and palette knives that needed only a quick wipe. I painted backgrounds with my hand and a rubber glove. Packing up now consisted of chucking my supplies into a box which could be easily brought out again next session. I made it easier to start and finish, which meant I painted more often. Instead of waiting for a big, perfect block of time, I could dive in and out in short bursts.
I was able to find ways to make painting simpler, and stopped judging myself for not doing it “properly.” It let me return to my creative self, without expectation or comparison.
The Art of Making It Yours
At that stage, I had no thought of selling my art or having my own business. I used cheap materials, painting purely for myself. I wasn’t trying to impress anyone; I was simply enjoying the process.
I’d put on music, sometimes light a candle, and immerse myself in the experience of slapping paint on a canvas. It was about the unfolding, the layering, the joy of seeing something slowly emerge. The final image was a bonus – the true value was in the process and feeling alive, not the finishing.

Flowers have appeared in my artwork for years. As I shared in my first blog post about my business name, Cherish & Bloom, flowers remind me of diversity and beauty, and of the many stages and seasons we move through in life. In this painting, the abstract florals held all those lessons – growth, messiness, new beginnings, and blooming in unexpected ways.
So often, I feel like my limitations are restrictive. I get frustrated at not being able to do certain things because of the way my brain works. But when I accept it for what it is – and truly understand how it functions – I find freedom within it. I can do things my way, not the way that works for other people. I can get creative in my solutions and workarounds. I can feel fully myself, instead of trying to squish into other people's expectations.

What Might Bloom for You?
Art and creativity can be powerful tools for well-being, but we often put up barriers without realising. We tell ourselves we don’t have time. We worry we aren’t good enough. We think it’s indulgent, or we feel stuck because of all the shoulds.
What if you gave yourself permission to create in a way that works for you? What if you let go of the pressure to do it “right” and simply did it?
Maybe it’s using materials that feel easy. Maybe it’s allowing a short burst instead of waiting for a perfect afternoon. Maybe it’s letting the process be more important than the product.
I wonder what might bloom in your life if you allowed yourself that freedom.
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If this post stirred something in you, I'd love to hear from you. You can find me over on Instagram and Facebook, where I share more about motherhood, art and neurodivergence.