How Procreate Helped Me Reconnect with Creativity

I was in nursing school when I really saw what an iPad and an apple pencil could do. Nursing school is crazy intense and there's lectures all the time.

Note taking all the time, chapters and chapters worth of material that you're expected to learn, like, over a few days so that you can test on it.

  Needless to say, information overload.

But one of my fellow students, or you know, maybe a couple, was utilizing an iPad with good notes to keep track of all of her lectures.

And I'm talking about recording writing notes. They were able to take screenshots of the book insert, like the stickers, pictures.

It looked amazing. I definitely had some iPad envy going on, but I looked at the prices and it just wasn't something that I could feasibly manage while I was in nursing school.

At the time, I was a newly single mom trying to make it through nursing school so I could have a career that would pay the bills. 

However, I put it on my someday list! This is the story of how Procreate helped me reconnect with creativity after burnout, motherhood, and putting my artistic side on hold for years.

How Procreate Helped Me Reconnect with Creativity

So once I landed my ideal nursing job, the first thing I did was treat myself to an iPad and Apple Pencil. I was so excited but also so exhausted.

As I just mentioned, I landed my first dream nursing job, and nursing school is one thing, but learning how to be a bedside nurse on the floor is almost a whole other world. 

There is tons of information to learn and for the first 6 months or so, you're just trying to get your bearings, learn how to do things correctly and efficiently. 

Unfortunately, my brand new iPad and Apple Pencil were mostly set aside, unused, while I tried to get my head above water with nursing. 

Once I had a clear picture of what I was doing in my nursing career, I realized I had put my creativity on the back burner. 

The Moment I Knew I Needed a Creative Reset

I was feeling emotionally and creatively burnt out.

I've always been a creative person ever since I was a little kid, and it kind of tanks my mental health when I'm not able to create.

For some reason I never seem to realize that til I'm already feeling down and like something is missing!

Unfortunately, nursing school and becoming a new nurse doesn't leave time for friends, family, or hobbies.

It's kind of all-consuming, and that caught up with me.

I went through my iPad and these are the first three images I found!

How I Discovered Procreate

About 6 months in, I finally had a chance to start playing with my iPad.

I really can’t remember if I already knew about Procreate or if I just knew people were mainly drawing on their iPads.

There is definitely a learning curve for specific tasks, but if you want to just go in and start sketching, that's pretty easy. 

You're just hitting the plus button on create canvas, picking up your iPad, choosing a paintbrush, and you can just go.

It might not be usable later for printing out or anything else, but if you just want to get on there and sketch, draw, and doodle, it's pretty user-friendly.

Check out these beginner Procreate tips if you're nervous to start.

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What Changed When I Started Creating Again

It was like a breath of fresh air or coming home. You know, coming back to what you're used to, and it feels so good. 

Procreate helped me get back to myself.

It helped me find that creative spark, carve out some me time, make a positive mental shift, and start bringing some light and joy back into my life. 

Creative arts therapy is used to help treat mental health conditions because it can improve focus, assist with processing emotions, improve communication, and increase self-esteem.

So it's no wonder that drawing in Procreate started making feel all the good stuff!

5 Quick Tips for Reconnecting with Creativity

1. Start Small, Start Now
Don't expect too much of yourself. Get your iPad and your favorite TV show and just doodle and then maybe just add some color. 

2. Set a 10-Minute Timer
Tell yourself: “I only have to do this for 10 minutes.” No pressure. No commitment. You’ll be surprised how often you keep going.

3. Make It a Ritual, Not a Task
Light a candle. Put on music. Pour a drink. Make it cozy. Your creative time should feel like a treat, not a to-do list item.

4. Use Prompts, Not Pressure
Don’t wait to be inspired. Use creative prompts, sticker challenges, or Pinterest. Done is better than perfect.

5. Celebrate the Win (Even If It’s Tiny)
Did you open Procreate? That’s a win. Colored a square? Also a win. The goal isn’t to create a masterpiece, it’s to reconnect with you.

What Helped Me Reconnect with Creativity (Even During Chaos)

I find myself having to do these creative resets when life gets too lifey and I don't have time to express myself creatively.

Sometimes I find myself putting the iPad to the side, life takes over, and I always come back.

So it's okay, if you aren't there right now but you can feel that creative itch coming back. That is where it starts!

I get it more than anyone how hard it can be to carve out time for yourself and just get creative.

It's so hard sometimes to get off the couch when you've had a long day.

All you want to do is watch some TV or scroll on Facebook and just let your mind go. 

But it almost feels like you're watching other people's lives. And how are they doing that?

How are they getting that done while you're just sitting there letting life pass you by? 

I've been there. I've struggled to get off the couch. My latest creative dry spell was after having my last baby. He was not a good sleeper, and he had silent reflux.

He's still not a great sleeper, and for the first 6 months of his life, the only way he would sleep was if he was having a contact nap.

That meant he was on someone's chest 24/7, pretty much, and he didn't like to be put down when awake either. So nothing was getting done, and it was exhausting. 

And then for like the next year and a half we still struggled with sleeping and fussiness.

I remember vividly, the last light bulb moment. I was sitting in the recliner after he had finally gone to bed.

Just watching something on TV and scrolling on my phone, and I just thought I'm so bored.

There's got to be more than this. What happened to all the things I used to do? Where did that girl go? No, I like to paint. I like to make things. I have always been creative. 

And something in me just moved, and it was a small move at first. Y'all, I didn't even get off the couch. I brought my iPad to the couch so do what's easiest, you know?

 I didn't realize how therapeutic coloring could be. I was coloring in a design one day, and I was just like Oh my gosh, I'm just letting my mind wander and just like completely like Zen.

I'm horrible at meditating, but I could do this and it felt great.

And I guess as they say the rest is history. I've been making sure I stay connected to my creativity ever since.

Whether it's a new sticker, new printable product, or even a new blog post I'm showing up making time for myself and it feels great. 

Want to explore your creative side too? Here’s how Procreate boosted my confidence and helped me make creativity a regular part of my life again.

Want to Reconnect Too?

Have you lost your creative spark and would love to get it back?

If so, you should join my mailing list, where I'll give you easy creative steps, sticker tutorials, and fun freebies to bring back a little of the creativity you've lost.

 Just fill out the form above, and you will get my free Procreate starter kit and email, never spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Start small and stay creative.

Love and messy buns,
❤️
Cynthia McDonald
Helping women find creativity in the chaos — with stickers, stationery, and a little bit of fun

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