How do you set your creativity free? 8 tips to create without pressure

Do you sometimes tell yourself: “I am not creative”? Let us stop you right there.

At Mamie Jo, we are sure of one thing: creativity is not a talent reserved for a lucky few. It is there, somewhere, in every one of us. Sometimes it simply needs a little push to come out of hiding.

Between the fear of getting it wrong, the feeling of having no ideas and the comparison with the perfect creations you see on Instagram, it is easy to freeze before you have even started.

So today we are sharing our tips to set your creativity free, to dare to experiment and above all… to enjoy creating. And we promise: here, there is no need to be an artist.

1. Stop trying to make something perfect

This is probably the most important tip. When you start a creative activity, the pressure can build up very quickly:

“What if it is not pretty?”
“What if the others do better than me?”

But a handmade creation does not need to be perfect. It needs to be yours. A slight difference in colour, a shape that is a little uneven or an idea that was not planned at the start are often exactly what gives a personalised creation its charm.

At Mamie Jo, we much prefer a creation that tells a story to a creation that is a perfect copy of a model. So, first rule: allow yourself to get it wrong. That is often how the best ideas appear.

2. Start with something you really like

Do you want to start creating again but have no idea where to begin? Do not go looking for the trendiest or the most impressive activity. Start with something that makes you want to try.

Creativity comes far more easily when the project genuinely appeals to you. And sometimes the best creative activity is quite simply the one that makes you think: “Oh, I really want to try that!”

3. Take inspiration… without trying to copy

Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, magazines, shops, nature, architecture, clothes… Sources of inspiration are everywhere. Looking at what other people do can be an excellent way to spark an idea.

But be careful not to fall into the comparison trap. You do not need to reproduce exactly a creation you have seen. Instead, try asking yourself: what is it that I like about this creation?

• A colour?
• A material?
• A combination?
• A mood?

Then take that inspiration and let it grow. That is often where your own creativity starts to appear.

4. Play with colour

Colours are a wonderful way to unlock your imagination. If you do not know what to make, sometimes just start by choosing three colours you like. No need to think about it for an hour: pick them instinctively. Then ask yourself:

• Do I want something very colourful?
• More pastel?
• A single colour in different shades?

You can also take inspiration from what is around you. An outfit you love, a flower, a sunset, a colourful facade in Nice, a cup in your kitchen… Anything can become a palette.

And above all, do not be afraid of unlikely combinations. Creativity loves the mixes nobody would have thought of.

5. Change the way you look at things

Inspiration is not only found on Pinterest. It is all around you. Get into the habit of looking at the details:

• The colours of a market.
• A mix of materials in a shop.
• The shapes of the shells on the beach.
• A pattern on a fabric.
• An old box at your grandparents’ house.
• A second-hand find.
• A bunch of flowers.

Your everyday life is full of small details that can turn into creative ideas. So next time something catches your eye, take a few seconds to ask yourself: “What exactly do I like here?” You will be surprised by everything your brain starts to collect.

6. Do something you have never tried

To get your creativity going, sometimes you simply need to break your habits.

• Have you always drawn? Try painting.
• Have you never worked with jesmonite? Give it a go.
• Do you love jewellery? Try another way of customising it.

Discovering a new creative activity helps you look at things differently and brings new ideas out. That is also why we love the creative workshops at Mamie Jo so much. People sometimes arrive thinking: “I have absolutely no idea what I am going to make.” And a few hours later, they leave with a creation they are rather proud of.

7. Create with no goal

What if, sometimes, you created simply for the pleasure of creating? Not to post a photo. Not to give a gift. Not to get a perfect result. Just to have a good time.

You can mix colours, make shapes, try a technique, start again… without worrying about where you are going. This way of creating can be especially freeing, because it takes away all the pressure of the result. The process becomes as important as the finished creation.

8. Create with other people

Creativity is contagious. And that is something we see all the time at Mamie Jo. One person starts a creation. Another looks over and says: “Oh, I love that colour!” Someone suggests another idea. Then another person dares to try something different. And everybody ends up with a creation that is completely personal.

Creating with friends, with family, as a couple or simply alongside other people lets you share ideas, find inspiration and above all feel less alone in front of the famous blank page. That is also what makes creative workshops so enjoyable: you come to create, but you often leave with far more than an object.

What if your creativity was already there?

In the end, setting your creativity free is perhaps not about becoming more creative. It is more about no longer putting barriers in your own way.

That is exactly the spirit we want at Mamie Jo. Creating with no pressure, trying, chatting, laughing, starting again and above all leaving with something you imagined yourself. Because deep down, creativity is not about knowing what to make before you start. Sometimes it is about starting… and finding the idea along the way.

Fancy giving it a go?

If this article has made you want to get your hands into paint, charms or jesmonite, come and discover our creative workshops in Nice. At Mamie Jo, you do not need experience, and you do not need to arrive with a ready-made idea. Just come with the wish to have a good time. We will take care of the rest.

And who knows? Your next creation might be the one that inspires us in turn. See you soon at Mamie Jo ✨

Léa & Lorie
The sisters behind Mamie Jo