In elementary school, I often watched copious amounts of arts and crafts videos. I was fascinated by cartoons and making art. I would regularly draw the things I love, color in my excessive number of coloring books, and watch cartoons. You would’ve expected me to be drawing often later on, but I didn’t.

As a child, I loathed others’ criticism. I despised how they compared me to other artists. They would constantly have a remark on how they could draw better because they had fancy supplies or that they had drawing school. I chose to hide my art because I didn’t want to try my best just to be told someone else is better. I knew others could do better. What I craved was encouragement. I was afraid of others mocking me because I couldn’t handle criticism. So, I destroyed my drawings. I crumbled them, slid my notebooks into the trash barrel, and I stopped trying. In Art class, I wouldn’t even care to put effort into my work. I couldn’t enjoy it, knowing someone else may criticize it.

Sometimes, when classes would get boring for me, I would mindlessly doodle on the edge of my paper. When I drew in secret, I liked drawing patterns and coloring. The shapes repeating themselves, with no particular format to follow. It was simple and calming. I thought no one would want to see my notes for school, so I wasn’t concerned that others would judge me for my little illustrations.

In my sixth-grade Science class, Mrs. Ahearn, our teacher, was starting a new Science program for kids to use interactive notebooks to help their learning process. Over time, she noticed how I doodled and colored each page of my Science notebooks. One day, she joyfully praised me for my creativity, imagination, and talent. She was not the first person to say that to me, but something about that pleasant moment encouraged me to try experimenting with something. Anything.

After Mrs. Ahearn’s spark of positivity, I felt delighted that people liked my creativity. It was funny how she was enjoying my art more than I was. She constantly mentioned my notebooks and creativity to her teacher friends and her students. Slowly people began to know me for my creativity. I didn’t realize how much she was doing for me. Looking back, she was always praising my creativity and me. A simple smile from her was enough to encourage me to make art, even if no one else appreciated it.

Before leaving middle school, I won an Art award. Before announcing my name, my Art teacher described me as a hardworking artist, who tried my best in and out of school. My friends behind me in the auditorium were certain it was me. I just smiled and said no, because I knew for a fact it wasn’t me. It just couldn’t be. When she said my name, my friends began cheering. I felt bewildered. Since when was I the most artistic?

When I reminisce, I realize I kept comparing myself to others and was unconscious of what people truly thought of my art and me. It was Mrs. Ahearn’s simple encouragement through the years that made me realize I am creative, and I love being creative. Although criticism still bothers me, I’m also becoming more open to and accepting of it. Now, I think of it as an inspiration to try various styles, look in several perspectives, and develop my craft. It’s amazing how positivity and encouragement can improve someone’s world.

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