There is one thing that has consistently helped me rise above many of life’s transitions, including anxiety, depression, and grief. Its been through a creative self-care practice. Through art, I have been able to work through many challenges. When I struggle to find words, my hands speak what is in my heart and in turn, I receive what I need most, emotional nourishment.

During times of grief and hardship when your focus can be more on what is lacking rather than what you have, a creative self-care practice will remind you of the mark you can make. Through the art of creating, it pulls you back into reality, gently telling you that you are here. You are present.

You are capable of doing things that you never dreamed you could.

When you are feeling out of control, it gives you something to hold onto. You can manipulate the fabric, change the words, move slower, or watch the colors blend together. Whatever you are creating, for each person it will be different – like a sweet surprise.

My creative self-care process has also become my form of meditation.

During the process of drawing, it is all about the feeling of ink connecting with the paper. With words and writing, it helps me to hear what I need to understand in the moment. While I paint with watercolors, it is about making something come alive. I can’t control the watercolors, and I don’t have to because I allow the paint to flow. This has helped me to find the beauty in life again after my Mom died. My creative self-care practice has reignited my curiosity which was almost extinguished by my grief.

Initially, I felt tremendous guilt for my creative self-care practice. Self-care had been missing from my life for many years. The act of creating had been replaced by other aspects of my life which I believed to be more critical than myself – taking care of my family, my business, and my marriage.  

With a creative self-care practice, I am a better me. I am more present. I can give more freely without resentment because I am taking time for myself. I am taking care of my soul again.   

Where do you find your quiet? Is it through mindfulness, writing, dancing, baking, drawing or making music? Forgetting the importance of self-care is easy. It’s even easier to only see what is right in front of you.

 A creative self-care practice benefits you
by allowing you to see life through a new lens.
It’s about being mindful.
Experimenting. Playing.
And choosing joy.