LUBNA AHMED-HAQUE
From shared creative spaces to cosy journaling workshops, Riyadh is opening up new ways to tap into self-expression and creativity.
Rethinking Creativity
For many people, the biggest barrier to creativity isn’t time or access, but a belief that it’s reserved for those with ‘natural talent’ or training. In Riyadh, that idea is increasingly being challenged, as more spaces emerge that invite people of all backgrounds to simply give it a go.
Many of us are caught up in work or family life, with little time to explore anything outside of our usual roles. And when it does come down to trying something new – considering something creative – the question usually is: Where do I start? It can feel like an overwhelming and daunting task.
Expression, Not Perfection
Not everything we feel comes with language. Often, we don’t have the words for what’s happening inside. Creative expression, not just writing, offers another way in. It allows us to process and make sense of our thoughts and feelings without the pressure of having to articulate them ‘perfectly’.
Creativity doesn’t have to be complex. It’s less about what you make and more about giving yourself a way to express what’s already there. It’s not limited to one type of person, nor does it require any level of expertise. Whoever you are, whatever your background, you have the ability to pick up a tool of your choice and create – sharing what you’re feeling through colour, words, or something else entirely.
As Saudi-based psychologist Amen Attar explains: “You can look at creative expression as a window to the unconscious of a person – which many of us might not have had the chance to connect with. Creative expression bridges that connection. It can be perceived as a projective outlet for what’s inside and what we might have going on without realising. People develop characters based on someone who has influenced their life, or they draw pictures that represent a feeling they might not know how to talk about. When these manifestations come to life, it gives us a chance to look inward and for others to see the beauty in us.”
In community spaces across Riyadh, it’s not uncommon to hear people say they wouldn’t class themselves as writers, or remotely creative, yet when given the opportunity – and the right encouragement – to put their thoughts into words, what emerges is often thoughtful and at times, unexpectedly poetic. For some, it’s also about reconnecting with a part of themselves that had been set aside.
Yasmine B – a teacher in Riyadh and literature lover who also leads Writers in Riyadh’s book club – shared: “I had become quite disconnected from creative expression over the years. I stopped writing and performing and accepted that I was no longer multifaceted and no longer ‘a writer’. Since joining Writers in Riyadh, the door of potential and possibility has opened up once again, and I feel inspired and galvanised to keep exploring my creativity.”
Creative environments like these also promise something less tangible, but equally important: a sense of community. For many, that reconnection begins in small, personal ways.
Starting Small: Journaling as a First Step
Journaling is an easy and accessible way to take what you’re feeling and thinking on the inside and turn it into something tangible to look at – even if that is a string of random words. This form of expression doesn’t require special skill and it is genuinely a low-pressure activity. All you need is something to write with, whether that’s a pen or the notes app on your phone.
Creative expression doesn’t have to take a fixed form – it can be as easy as sketching or doodling in the margins of a notebook (or a tissue), painting without any particular outcome in mind, recording voice notes to capture your thoughts, taking photographs that capture a moment or a feeling, rearranging words or writing fragments, or even creating collages from visuals that resonate with you. If you’re someone commuting back and forth from work, you could even start with journaling a few thoughts in your notes app along the way. You just need to give it a go and figure out what feels right to you.
From Expression to Connection
For many, creative expression begins privately, through the simple act of writing down thoughts or experimenting with colour on a page. But more and more people are also looking for spaces where that expression can exist alongside others. These can range from creative workshops and community groups to wellness-led hubs that incorporate practices like meditation, movement or reflection. Such platforms are now emerging across Riyadh, providing options to explore creativity and connect with like-minded people.
The Rise of Creative Spaces in Riyadh
In a city as dynamic as Riyadh – where life is constantly moving – finding time to pause and breathe can be challenging. But with changes happening at a grassroots level, this is beginning to shift.
As Riyadh continues to position itself as a cultural capital under Vision 2030, we are seeing a growing number of community-led initiatives and creative programmes come to life, offering the diverse people of this city new opportunities to engage with arts and expression, in a more accessible and collaborative way. This includes not only traditional arts, creative and cultural platforms, but also a rise in wellness hubs that encourage mindfulness and exploration.
Ayaz Rehman, founder of Shams Within Wellbeing and Mental Wellbeing Lead at Writers in Riyadh, explains: “As both a psychotherapist and poet, I witness first-hand how writing and poetry can transform something heavy into something shared and human. At Writers in Riyadh’s events, you can feel the shift in the room – the moment someone speaks their truth and realises they are not alone. That is the power of creativity.”
What these spaces provide isn’t always immediately clear and it is rarely what people expect to find. But when they leave, they do so having shared something vulnerable, listened to others, and felt a little less alone. At a time when life feels more demanding than ever, pockets where expression is encouraged in all its forms, are becoming increasingly valuable – not just culturally, but personally.
You don’t need to call yourself creative to begin. You really just need to be willing to try and to give these initiatives a chance. You never know what you might discover, or who you might find yourself connecting with.
Here in Riyadh, creative expression is becoming less about talent or perfection, and more about making space – to create, reflect, connect and be part of something bigger than ourselves.
COLORFUL COMMUNITY SPACES IN RIYADH
Some platforms across Riyadh offering regular opportunities to connect, create and explore expression in different forms.
Writers in Riyadh
A grassroots community hosting open mic and poetry nights, book clubs and workshops centred around creative expression in all its forms.
📍 Meet every Wednesday across Riyadh
🔗 @riyadhwriters: https://www.instagram.com/riyadhwriters/
Just Scraps
A women-led community focused on collage, scrapbooking, and arts and crafts.
📍 Meet twice a month
🔗 @just_scrapss: https://www.instagram.com/just_scrapss/
Al Jalees
A book club and cultural community hosting literary events.
📍 Monthly events at Huna, Riyadh
🔗 @aljalees.sa: https://www.instagram.com/aljalees.sa/
Flex & Flow
A Saudi wellness brand creating movement-based experiences through classes, pop-ups, and retreats.
📍 Events across Riyadh (Flow Granada + pop-ups)
Mice Want Cheese?
A space for musicians, creatives, and music lovers to come together, share, and enjoy the arts.
🔗 @micewantcheese: https://www.instagram.com/micewantcheese/
Shams Within Wellbeing
A wellbeing platform hosting workshops in journaling, creative expression, mental wellbeing education, and meditation.
🔗 @shamswithin: https://www.instagram.com/shamswithin/
Holistic Wellness & Spiritual Wellbeing (Meetup Community)
A community providing yoga, meditation, and wellbeing-focused gatherings.
📍 Meetup & Internations: https://www.meetup.com/holistic-wellness-and-spiritual-wellbeing-events/?member_id=408186763
One Mic
An open mic platform supporting local voices across comedy and storytelling.
🔗 @onemicsa: https://www.instagram.com/onemicsa/
