Today I want to spend some time talking about what each of us do nearly every day. We create! We create ART! Our art is a powerful tool. It allows us to process, remember, celebrate and heal. Carrie Fisher’s quote shown in the featured image at the top of this post very simply captures the essence of art being healing.

More importantly we must remind ourselves that art heals not only ourselves. It can also heal all those who may feel something when they see what we create.

When you think about this, it’s actually a beautiful perspective on the role of art in our lives! Art is indeed a universal language, a valuable tool and a powerful force for personal expression and communal connection.

Take Back Your Life

All the struggles we face, small ones and big ones, often generate anxiety, even if we don’t recognize it as such. But all this anxiety, if unmanaged, can literally choke the life out of us.

In a world filled with uncertainty and stress, art emerges as a beacon of hope, offering solace, connection, and healing. For centuries, humans have turned to creative expression not just to capture the beauty of life but also to process its complexities.

There are many ways to break free from the grip of anxiety. Practice deep breathing, engage in regular physical activity, and try mindfulness or meditation to stay present. Try reframing negative thoughts, talking to a trustworthy friend, and building healthy habits like getting enough sleep. But my first choice is to get creative.

Make time for creativity! Creativity eases anxiety by providing a focused distraction, allowing for emotional expression, and fostering a sense of accomplishment. Engaging in creative activities like painting, writing, or even cooking can help slow down racing thoughts, act as a mindful and meditative practice, and offer a way to process difficult feelings in a non-verbal way. This process can reduce stress hormones like cortisol and increase feelings of calm, purpose, and self-esteem.

Creativity provides a way to process and express feelings, especially those that are hard to articulate verbally. This can be done through activities like painting emotions, writing in a journal, or making music.

Creativity can help us shift our focus from worrying to problem-solving, reframing our approach to challenges in a more constructive way.

Finishing a creative project, no matter how small, can boost your mood and self-esteem, which helps to counteract feelings of anxiety and restlessness.

Music Too Is Art

One of my favorite coping mechanisms is music. When I need some healing, I turn the music up and sing along. I’ll sing along to anything with words; it just helps take my mind off all the stress I may be feeling.

As Elton John once said, “Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” However you choose to take part, music is an incredible way to heal.

In regard to art as healing, one song always comes to mind for me; “Vincent” (Starry, Starry Night) by Don McLean. This song is actually a tribute to the painter Vincent van Gogh. It focuses on his struggle with mental illness and how his art was a way of expressing the beauty he saw even through his pain. It also so poignantly highlights how art can be a way to process and communicate deep emotional turmoil.

Click here or on the image directly above to hear the song’s healing words.

Final Thoughts

Art is a powerful tool for emotional healing and self-expression. When life feels overwhelming, let creativity guide you to clarity and peace.

The act of creation offers a safe, non-verbal space to explore and sort through complex feelings – joy, grief, anxiety, hope. It allows for emotional release and can provide clarity when words fail.

When we’re immersed in making art, we enter a state of flow. Meaning we are completely absorbed in the activity with a deep sense of focus and enjoyment. In this mental state, time seems to disappear, distractions fade, and actions feel effortless and spontaneous, resulting in a heightened sense of both focus and creativity. This focused attention brings us into the present moment, offering a valuable respite from the worries of the past or future.

Thanks for reading this week’s ponderings. Remember, if you have any suggestions or questions please don’t hesitate to “Message Me“. Check back next week for more reflections! Click “Follow Me” to stay in touch. I hope you have a wonderful week!