My first official side quest
There’s something slightly humbling about willingly signing up to do something you’re not naturally good at. And for me, that thing is painting.
I’ve never really been “the creative one.” I like things to look good, but I also like knowing how to make them look good. So, sitting in front of a blank canvas, hoping for the best? Slightly stressful.
But I had this thought:
I can’t really have flowers at home (my cat would absolutely destroy them and probably poison herself in the process)… so why not paint some instead?
The part where I thought this would be serious (it wasn’t)
I walked into the studio expecting something a bit… quiet. Focused. Almost intimidating. Instead, there was a bar?
People chatting, music playing, everyone casually painting like they’ve done this before. It felt more like an apéro than a class just with canvases.
So basically: here’s what it should look like…
Confidence lasted approximately 12 minutes
At first, I felt fine.
We started by tracing the outlines, which already felt like a safe start, and I thought: okay, I can do this. This is manageable. Then the painting actually started.
Background first – soft yellows into white, blending into blue. Very calm, very aesthetic… until I realised everyone around me was moving much faster.
And I was still… thinking.
Mixing colours. Re-checking. Trying to make it “perfect.” Classic.
The comparison spiral (yes, it happened)
At some point, I looked around.
Everyone was already working on their flowers. Meanwhile, I was still somewhere between “this might look good” and “why am I still on step two?”
That was probably the most frustrating part.
Not because I didn’t understand, but because I wanted to do it right. And doing it “right” was slowing me down.
Plot twist: slow didn’t mean bad
The teacher, Jeanette, was walking around, checking everyone’s work, switching effortlessly between German and English, making the whole room feel relaxed and inclusive.
Then she finally came over, looked at my canvas – and just went:
“Oh wow, this is really pretty.”
And suddenly… everything shifted.
Because yes, I was slow. But what I was doing was somehow working.
The moment I stopped trying to control everything
Somewhere between painting the lilacs (with a brush… and later a sponge – I was the only one who took it, by the way) and adding the final details, I realised something:
It was never going to look exactly like the reference picture. And that was fine. Actually, that was the whole point.
Some people were following every step. Others were completely improvising. And somehow, everything still worked.
That’s when it clicked.
Creativity isn’t about getting it right.
It’s about letting something take shape – even if it’s not what you expected.
The part where I stayed longer than everyone else
Everyone eventually finished, walked around, looked at each other’s paintings.
Meanwhile, I was still there.
Adding details. Asking questions. Fixing tiny things no one else probably noticed.
Very on brand. But honestly? That’s when it got even better.
It became less about “keeping up” and more about making it mine.
So… was it actually good?
I’ll be honest, during the workshop, I was hard on myself.
But when I got home and looked at it again?
It was actually… really nice. Not perfect. Not identical to the reference.
But mine. Which, for me, is already a win.
What this one taught me
You can be slow. You can overthink. You can even doubt everything you’re doing halfway through.
And still end up creating something beautiful.
Would I do it again?
100% !!!
This is one of those things that works in almost any context:
- a date (honestly, such a good one)
- after-work with colleagues
- a random Saturday when you don’t know what to do
- or even alone, if you feel like trying something new without overthinking it
And the best part? You leave with something you made.
Not just an experience – something you can actually keep.
Which, in my case, might be the only “flowers” that survive in my apartment.
Your turn
At some point, you stop reading about things and actually go do one.
Not because you’re “good” at painting.
Not because you’re suddenly trying to become creative.
But just to see what happens when you sit down, pick up a brush, and don’t overthink it for once.
If you’d like to see a video about my personal experience, come check out my instagram.
And if you do… I’d love to know what you end up creating.
Drop a comment If you would try this side quest.
If you’re not sure this one is for you, explore the rest of the list it’s full of creative ideas you can actually try.
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