The Best Part of Halloween? Watching People Be Whoever They Want
Here’s what hit me while watching trick-or-treaters parade past: Halloween is just the beginning...
I spent Halloween weekend watching my kids transform.
Not just into their costumes—but into the characters they became. My daughter wasn’t just wearing a costume. She was being whoever she chose to be. Moving differently. Talking differently. Playing differently.
This is what creativity looks like when we give ourselves permission.
Here’s what hit me while watching trick-or-treaters parade past: Halloween is just the beginning.
We’re entering three months of built-in permission to be creative.
The Permission We Give Kids (But Not Ourselves)
Nobody questioned whether the kids should dress up. Nobody asked if costumes were “productive” or suggested they skip it because they’re “not creative enough.”
We just let them create. Express themselves. Play.
Kids who are normally quiet became loud, animated characters. Kids who are usually serious were goofy and playful.
That’s creativity at its best—self-expression without judgment.
But adults? We treat creativity like it’s optional. Frivolous. Something for “someday.”
We forget that creativity isn’t just making things. It’s expressing ourselves. Playing. Exploring possibility.
And the holiday season is basically a three-month invitation to do exactly that.
The Creativity We Forget About
I’m not talking about Pinterest-perfect crafts or Instagram-worthy decorations.
I’m talking about the everyday creative choices:
Pumpkin carving—traditional or completely unexpected?
Gift wrapping—elegant or wildly colorful?
Cookie decorating—perfect or wonderfully wonky?
Holiday cards—or maybe no cards at all this year?
Decorating—magazine-worthy or designed by your eight-year-old?
These aren’t chores. These are opportunities for creative expression that we’ve been given permission to do simply because it’s the season.
What I’m Learning to Do Differently
For years, I approached the holidays like a project manager.
Tasks to complete. Traditions to maintain. Expectations to meet.
I’d stress about whether everything looked right, turned out perfect, was thoughtful enough.
I completely missed the point.
This year, watching my kids carve pumpkins, I realized: They’re not worried about whether it looks like Pinterest. They’re just creating. Expressing. Trying things.
When did I stop doing that? When did creativity become about getting it “right” instead of expressing myself?
The Shift: From Should to Could
I’m practicing replacing “should” with “could.”
Not: “I should make homemade decorations.”
But: “I could make them if that sounds fun. Or buy them. Or skip them.”
Not: “I should bake cookies for the school party.”
But: “I could bake if I enjoy it. Or buy them. Or contribute something else.”
“Should” is obligation. “Could” is possibility.
Your Creativity Doesn’t Have to Look Like Everyone Else’s
Halloween reminded me: Some costumes were store-bought. Some elaborately homemade. Some thrown together last-minute.
They were all great. Because creativity wasn’t in perfection—it was in expression, playfulness, joy.
Your holiday creativity is the same. It can look like:
Cooking elaborate meals OR ordering takeout to play games instead
Hand-making gifts OR thoughtfully curating purchased ones
Decorating every surface OR choosing three meaningful items
Hosting big gatherings OR intimate moments with just your family
Following traditions OR creating entirely new ones
There’s no wrong way. There’s only your way.
The Invitation November and December Offer
The next two months are full of opportunities to create—not obligations, opportunities.
Every choice is a creative act. Choosing your grandmother’s stuffing recipe or ordering pies. Decorating like a winter wonderland or skipping decorations. Keeping traditions or creating new ones.
Creativity isn’t about doing it all or doing it perfectly. It’s about expressing yourself intentionally.
Making choices that reflect who you are and what matters—not what you think you’re supposed to do.
Permission to Play
Watching my kids on Halloween reminded me: Creativity is supposed to be fun.
Not stressful. Not perfect. Fun. Playful. Expressive. Free.
The holiday season offers months of permission to tap into that. Permission to try something new, express yourself authentically, make choices based on joy, play with possibilities, create traditions that fit your actual life.
This is your official permission slip.
Your Invitation
As we move into November and December, ask yourself:
What would holiday creativity look like if I treated it like play instead of obligation?
Pick ONE creative opportunity this season to approach with playfulness instead of perfection. One thing where you give yourself permission to express yourself freely, try something new, or do it completely your own way.
Because that’s how we reclaim creativity. Not by doing everything perfectly. But by choosing one thing to approach with the same freedom and joy my kids had on Halloween.
You’re allowed to play. You’re allowed to express yourself. You’re allowed to make it your own.
The holiday season is a three-month invitation to be creative.
Will you accept it?
A few friendly notes: Client names are always changed to protect privacy. This newsletter may contain affiliate links to products I genuinely love and use myself. While I'm a licensed therapist, this content is for educational purposes and isn't medical advice - think of it as a conversation with a friend who happens to know about mental health. For personalized support, always consult your healthcare provider.
I love this! I feel like an unfortunate side effect and hallmark of adulthood is the lack of play we experience. My wife and I have the week of Thanksgiving off (most of it) and we were already making plans… reading, legos, baking, movies, and decorating for Christmas. Some plans for dinner out, but otherwise it’s going to be spent inside doing whatever the heck comes to mind. And we are hoping it will be a fun and creative week!