Stop Playing Around: Why You Stifle Your Creativity (and How to Finally Break Free)

“Stop playing around.”

That’s the first time I remember being told not to play.

I was in first grade—still brave enough to ask:

Why?

The answer was devastating.

. . .

“Because it’s childish.”

. . .

💭 But… I am a child. 💭

💭 Does that mean being myself is wrong? 💭

. . .

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that moment planted a seed. A belief that play—creativity—self-expression was a silly, unimportant and unworthy way to spend a moment or two.

Maybe, somewhere along the way, you started believing that, too.

When You Were Shamed for Your Creativity...

I suspect that, like me, you’ve been shamed at some point. For being too imaginative, too emotional, too expressive... for wasting time on your silly little hobbies.

Maybe you were even praised for being “practical” when you abandoned your creative passions—

• stopped your painting sessions to focus on “real work,”

• shelved your writing dreams because “there’s no money in it,”

• or silenced your voice because you were told it was “too much.”

I get it.

For years, I convinced myself that my creativity wasn’t worth my time and energy. I thought it was frivolous, and selfish, and I was 33 years old before I let myself share something I'd created as an adult.

And deep down, that realllllly gnawed at my sense of self.

Maybe it gnaws at you, too.

Imagine Feeling Totally Free to Create

What if, in just a few months, you felt utterly free:

... free to create the very thing your heart aches for,

... free to claim the creative life you were born for,

... free to dream without doubting, and DO without holding back?

Imagine…

• Starting that new business you’ve been dreaming of.

• Painting the abstract series you’ve been sketching in your mind.

• Forming a dance troupe or creative collective.

• Launching your online course or podcast.

• Hosting your first fabulous dinner party—just because you can.

• ______________ [← insert your creative dream here]

Now, imagine following your creative calling in ways that take NO extra time or energy—

In fact, in ways that GIVE you energy.

Imagine feeling totally clear in your brave creative purpose—and confident in your ability to fulfill it.

What would that feel like?

Borrow My Belief Until You Have Your Own

Creative betrayal runs deep (and get ready over the next few weeks for my new quiz on how to know if you're betraying your creative purpose).

But here’s the truth:

You are still meant to create. It's called "being human".

So, just for now, go ahead and borrow my belief in you.

Let me hold it steady while you rediscover yours.

As we work together on your creativity strategies, you’ll quickly notice how natural and easy it feels to move forward again—

Not by adding more to your plate!

Only by reclaiming what’s already yours: Your essential creative soul.

Your creative freedom is still alive—it’s just waiting for you.

Want to Wake Up Your Creative Destiny?

If this resonates with you, I’d love to help you rediscover your creative magic.

Join me for a Creativity Wake-Up Call—a powerful chance to:

🪄 Reconnect with your creative core,

🪄 Clarify the creative path you’re meant to walk, and

🪄 Activate your next steps with clarity and confidence.

Ready?

Set...

Let's GO!

-Jenny Elinora ✨ Wake Up Your Creative Destiny ✨

P.S... My Story of Breaking Free

Last week, I shared my story in an InsteadTalk. How I stifled my own play and creativity for three decades. And how I finally broke free and went on to:

🎶 produce and release my own music,

🎭 produce and perform in dozens of stage shows,

✍🏼 start a blog,

🧱 build a dollhouse,

🌱 and sooooo many other creative JOYs.

Hint: I didn’t do it alone. Creative community has been the key to keeping me brave and inspired.

You don’t have to do it alone either. Let’s create together.