Almost three years ago I had my tonsils taken out. (I know this is a weird start to a story, but I promise it will make sense.) While I was spending wonderful summer days inside and in pain, I was dying to do something other than watching a million movies and napping all day. I managed to find an old journal and markers in my room and before I knew it, I had filled the journal with doodles and drawings.

Since then I have expanded my "artistic talents" into painting. I have painted things from my pets, to my favorite Disney characters, Wake Forest-themed things, and even things as simple as my favorite quotes on a canvas. Every time I paint I get a chance to zone out and forget about everything that is going on. In this world, to be able to focus on anything besides technology for more than an hour.

One of the biggest reasons I paint is because it is a stress reliever. Not only do I take the time to focus on painting, but I get to express what I am feeling. I get to take my thoughts, ideas, and emotions and turn them into something tangible. I have many paintings in my room where I say, "I remember that memory/event/emotion that made me paint that."

Now I am sure you are thinking "Well Maggie, congrats on your ability to paint. But I am not creative/artsy/able to make anything." Well I am telling you that you're wrong. If you are a human and not lazy, you can make something. Even if you just splatter paint on a canvas, YOU made it. Those specific colors and splaters were placed on the canvas by you. That is awesome.

Painting is something I recommend to my friends who don't think they can do anything creative. Mainly because I thought that too. But it is truly amazing how just picking up some paint or markers or a pencil, you can create something. YOU can create something.