Finding a way back to creativity…

Hi, I’m Krupa. Artist, GP, and mum to two girls.

Like many people who love to create, art was once a big part of who I was. After school, I chose to pursue medicine, and life naturally pulled me away from creativity. For over twenty years, art slipped quietly into the background as my career, family life, and responsibilities took centre stage. Ironically, it was my work as a GP that eventually led me back to it.

In the middle of 2023, during a particularly intense and stressful period, I realised I needed something, something just for me, to help ease the anxiety and emotional weight that often comes with working in healthcare. I picked up a paintbrush again, initially as a mindful experiment, not knowing how profoundly it would change my life. Almost instantly, it felt like coming home. Art reignited a fire and passion I didn’t realise I’d lost, giving me a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment at a time when I desperately needed it.

By day, I’m a GP navigating the pressures of work; but art has become my sanctuary. It’s where I slow down, breathe, and reconnect with joy. When I’m creating, I can fully immerse myself and, even if just for a few hours, leave behind the worries and mental load I carry. That space has helped me feel more balanced and, importantly, more present for my family, something that matters deeply to me.

As a busy working mum, accessibility was key. I discovered digital art after being inspired by another medical mum, and it transformed how creativity fit into my life. No mess, no tidying away, just the freedom to create in short pockets of time, on the sofa in the evening, or while relaxing with my family nearby.

Joining a weekly art class became another cherished anchor in my routine: two hours of uninterrupted creativity, self-compassion, and mental stillness. I also embraced portable tools like acrylic paint pens, allowing me to create alongside my children while still producing work I’m proud of.

Time will always feel like a barrier, especially in medicine, but I found ways to make creativity work for me because the impact on my wellbeing was undeniable. Art was always in my bones, it had just been lost for a while. Finding it again has reminded me how vital creativity is in a world that often feels heavy and uncertain. For me, art has been a healing tool, a lifeline, and a way to reconnect with beauty. I truly believe that small, accessible moments of creativity can make a profound difference in how we care for ourselves, our families, and ultimately, each other.