Just Begin: The Art of Starting Something New

I started painting because it was an affordable outlet. Little did I know what it would cost me and what it would teach me. To be honest, my early artwork was mostly terrible, but that didn’t matter. Painting wasn’t about creating masterpieces—it was about rediscovering myself. Little by little, with each brushstroke, I came back to who I was. In fact, I became more than who I had been before. Painting was something that had nothing to do with being a mom or a wife. It was just for me. And that was powerful.

"Allow yourself to be a beginner" is such a true and powerful quote. Trying new things can lead to amazing discoveries about yourself and the world around you. Think about those little quizzes that pop up online, the ones asking how many of 50 different foods you’ve tried. I’m always amazed when people have only tasted a handful of items. I’ve usually tried nearly all of them, and my life feels richer because of it. Do I love everything I try? No, but I’m always glad I gave it a shot.

Norman Rockwell once said, “The secret to so many artists living so long is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they're always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” This resonates deeply with me. If we wait until we’re good at something to start, we’d never begin. Creativity thrives in the "what if" moments, not in the "if only" regrets. I am excited for my post Lush Art ownership journey and what lies ahead of me. It is weird to leave that persona behind, Lush Art became such an important part of my life. It is time to keep growing.

I remember hearing something on the A Beautiful Anarchy podcast that stuck with me: “The hesitant artist will create hesitantly. To the degree if we think we can’t, we won’t.” Those words are so true. How often do we hold ourselves back because we’re afraid we won’t be perfect? But here’s the thing—perfection isn’t the goal. The goal is to begin. Start. Try. Let those words be your anthem. Not "expert." Not "master." Not "perfection." Just begin.

I often think about what my life would be like if I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush 16 years ago. Honestly, I can’t imagine. I don’t even relate to the person I was before. Sure, I had a creative outlet when I was doing hair, but it wasn’t the same. Doing hair meant being at the mercy of what the client wanted. But painting just for the hell of it? That’s where the magic happens.

There’s a quote by Royce Addington that captures this feeling perfectly: “The most sacred place dwells within our heart, where dreams are born and secrets sleep, a mystical refuge of darkness and light, fear and conquest, adventure and discovery, challenge and transformation. Our heart speaks for our soul every moment while we are alive. Listen... as the whispering beat repeats: be...gin, be...gin, be...gin. It's really that simple. Just begin... again.”

So, if there’s something you’ve been hesitating to start—whether it’s painting, cooking, writing, or anything else—just begin. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or for the fear to disappear. The secret to a fulfilling life isn’t about being perfect; it’s about the adventure of starting something new.