I have heard a lot of people say that they are not artists, that they are not creative. Perhaps my surprise is due to the way I view artistry. As someone who was branded “creative” in childhood, my view of the world has always focused on the way things become what they are, how they come into existence.

Growing up, I saw that my art teacher was creative in her ability to draw, my friend in his ability to write computer software, my classmates in their ability to play instruments, professors in their ability to craft meaningful sessions. It was all “art” to me. We all create things every day (scrambled eggs, anyone?), whether they be familiar or unusual. So why do we separate the concept of creativity out of some of the things we are passionate about, the things we do regularly?

Society has branded creativity as a special skill set enjoyed by few. It has granted permission of expression to a handful seemingly gifted with “something” the rest were not. While it is true that some people are born with the desire to draw and act and others the desire to research, compete, or trade, we automatically label these hobbies/professions as “creative” or not.

When we separate “creative” from “not creative,” we put a fence around this inherently human facet. We have come to believe that

Only certain people are creative.

Only certain activities count as creativity.

It does not count as art unless an audience verifies its worthiness.

This mindset causes us to stumble, to get stuck at the gate. “I’ve never done anything creative before, I would be so bad at it.” “That idea isn’t good enough, people won’t like it.” Creativity has become a trap, something that needs to be lived up to, that needs to be either granted by the gods or won over much struggle. In response, we stop ourselves from ever trying or imagining.

Fortunately, it does not have to be this way. My childhood self saw it differently. As a child, I always noticed what others were creating around me. I saw the magic in each person that allowed them to turn milk and flour into pancakes, words on a page into an epic tale, ideas and memories into comforting words, athletic games into performances. My childhood self knew by thousands of years of evolutionary programming and gentle observation, that every adult who said they were not creative had the wrong idea.

Creativity is a mindset, a willingness to explore and play. It is something that we practice over time. Creativity is more of a skill or muscle than a gift or talent, at least for most of us. When we spend a moment considering the beauty or meaningfulness of something we brought into the world, we are using our creative muscles. When we make small adjustments or wonder about how it could be better, we are crafting and practicing. There does not need to be a grand product or review, no one else even needs to see our art. It’s the experience of creating that makes the change.

What is your belief about your own ability to create? It’s likely that you have already crafted many things in your day. A cup of coffee with honey (brewing), an email to a coworker (writing), a friendly text (communicating), a warm meal (cooking), or the order of items on your desk (designing). Art in all forms begins with the belief that you are capable of making something, that creativity is an evolutionary joy passed down to all human beings. Can we reset the lofty and unrealistic goals that society has set around creativity and reclaim our ability to craft, design, express, and play in our daily lives?