I wanted to share a new interest I’ve been exploring. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been focusing on living more intentionally, and part of that has been finding activities that challenge me to slow down and be present in the moment.

Pyrography comes from the Greek words meaning “writing with fire” and is the art of decorating wood, leather, or other materials with burn marks made using heated tools.

I don’t know much about it yet, but this is one of my first pieces, created using a template and a cheap wood burner from a local craft store. For a beginner project, I’m pretty happy with how it turned out. One day, I’d like to move beyond templates and experiment more with my own ideas and creativity.

When I was younger, I was told that I wasn’t artistic, and for a long time I allowed that comment to shape how I saw myself. As a result, I stepped away from creative pursuits altogether.

As I’ve started thinking more deeply about who I am and how I want to live, I’ve realized that creativity isn’t about being naturally gifted. It’s about being willing to try, explore, and learn. For years, I believed I wasn’t creative because someone told me I wasn’t. Now I’m learning that creativity isn’t something you either have or don’t have. It’s something you practice. So I’m giving myself permission to be a beginner and enjoy the journey.