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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Temple chapter.

Finding stress relief through a new love for painting.Ā 

My friends threw me a surprise birthday party for my birthday this year, and they bought an array of paints and canvases, so we could have a ā€˜paint your own canvasā€™ night. I hadnā€™t painted in a while, so I was excited to get started.Ā Ā 

I realized how relaxed I felt with painting while we were painting and listening to music. I began to paint sporadically to calm my nerves and decompress after my party.Ā Ā 

After this experience, I realized how important it is to find an outlet to de-stress. I realized that the reason I enjoy painting is that it distracts my mind from whatever is going on in my life.Ā Ā Ā 

When Iā€™m painting, Iā€™m preoccupied with painting in between the lines, rather than the test I have next week. As life becomes more and more hectic, itā€™s important for me to develop healthy coping skills to handle everyday life.Ā 

I appreciate how painting allows me to express myself creatively, while also relieving stress. Ā Ā 

Since my party, Iā€™ve enjoyed painting as a type of self-care because I’m able to release stressful emotions or feelings with the stroke of a brush, and that to me is extremely beneficial.Ā 

Throughout my painting journey, Iā€™ve become a firm believer that you do not have to be an expert in whatever hobby you chose to pursue; as long as you enjoy it, keep doing it.Ā Ā 

I would not consider myself to be an expert at painting by any means, but I choose to keep painting because itā€™s fulfilling to me.Ā Ā 

When I finish a painting, I always appreciate the feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction once I put down my brushes.Ā Ā 

Since Iā€™ve started painting again Iā€™ve learned important life lessons. For example, sometimes, it is important to pursue activities not because you are talented at them, but because you enjoy doing them.Ā 

Iā€™ve been recommended different hobbies when Iā€™m feeling stressed, but the best choice was panting. It helps clear my mind, while also honing my creative abilities.Ā Ā 

Meghan is a sophomore psychology major at Temple University. She enjoys reading, traveling to new places, and eating mozzarella sticks.