Therapeutic Creativity – ways to bring on the feeling of healing!

April 3, 2019
By Jan Gutowski, Creativity Coach

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Pablo Picasso

I’ll ask you…  How deep have this week’s issues at work, home (or, maybe in the car?) dragged you down? The “small stuff” that we experience in any given week can start to take a toll if we allow it; and in those moments, we may begin to feel it manifest more physically. Achy joints, that crick in the neck or back, and perhaps even an eye-twitch to boot? If you are finding that it is only Wednesday, and you are feeling depleted, maybe it is time to plan some creative downtime to help give yourself that necessary recharge! Here are some creatively therapeutic ideas to help you dig out of the doldrums:

1. Make a list of creative to-do’s or ideas

Think of the last time you had a spark of inspiration to take on the world with your great new ideas and plans to achieve them… Did you actually write these gems down so that you could start outlining the “how” behind these brilliant ideas? The best way to start is to lay it out in front of you!  For example, if you are planning to write a book, write your plot summary and then begin outlining your chapters. Don’t question or judge it, just write it out, walk away for a bit and then review it. You WILL surprise yourself!

Or, start doing the homework on that Etsy site that you’ve been wanting to start up. Think of how fulfilling it will be to sell your art AND maybe even create another income stream in the process.

And how about that Vision Board we talked about? Start finding visual clarity with all the wonderful things which you want to manifest in your life. Remember how much fun it was paging through the yearly Sears “Wish Book” holiday catalog? It’s kind-of the same thing, only bigger, and with a greater purpose.

Just.  Get.  Started.

Resource:

• How to Open an Etsy Shop in 4 Steps – https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/how-to-open-an-etsy-shop-in-4-steps/38130386460

2. Draw random patterns and lines until they take shape into something truly unique!

Zentangles are super-easy, fun and relaxing. It helps the hamster in our brains to take a break from the incessant wheel of mind-scramble, and helps to free up our thoughts for more worthwhile things. Another great outlet is scratchboard art (found at your local arts & crafts store) which enables you to create unique patterns, textures and depth. Create an entire scene by simply scratching the surface in varying ways to reveal a one-of-a-king masterpiece.

Resources:

• Try Zentangle: Your New De-Stressing Method by Martha Stewart – https://www.marthastewart.com/1520763/what-is-zentangle-art-therapy-method
• What is Scratchboard Art? Tools and Techniques – https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-scratchboard-art-tools-techniques.html

3. Just meditate with the intention of “How do I reinvent myself?”

Sometimes we just need to give ourselves permission to take time out to elevate our frequency. Once we let ourselves let go of the chaos swirl in our brains, we are able to open up our thoughts to examine where we’ve been and where we are headed. Much of this involves letting go of things which we still cling, like the daily stresses that keep us cruising at a lower vibe that we would like. Just becoming more aware of the power we have to let go of those things which do not serve us becomes a super-power! This realization is pure gold, but also paves the way to be more open-minded about how we become better than we were last year, last month, yesterday or even this morning. Offer up no limitations, since this is your time to go completely blue sky! Leave no possibilities unexplored in your thoughts. It is truly a journey, but oh-so worthwhile.

Resource:

• 5 Steps to Reinvent Yourself: Create the Future You Visualize https://tinybuddha.com/blog/5-steps-to-reinvent-yourself/

4. Get outside!

April is Earth Month, and there is nothing more creatively fulfilling than planning out and creating a backyard habitat for our animal friends. It need not be elaborate, just something which invites more positivity and healing into your daily life. Not only does the fresh air do us good, but it also raises our energy levels (just don’t forget the sunscreen and water!). There are countless articles and how-to’s of building habitat gardens, but here is one which provides a great starting place:

Resource:

• How to Create a Wildlife-Friendly Habitat Garden – https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/how-to-create-wildlife-friendly-habitat-garden

Make today YOUR day by carving out some time for you to reconnect with those creative things which reinvent and rejuvenate your spirit! Happy healing!

-jg