Do you know that feeling when you´re very stressed there is many expectations from you from every angle you could think of. Work, family, studies, hobbies, friends, partner, yourself. Sometimes it can be hard to balance everything. Finding that sweet spot in the middle where you are still there for those outside but same times taking care of yourself can be difficult task to achieve. Maybe feel overload of tasks you need to do, deadlines which feels never ending and your life happens to be giving almost all your energy only to one direction and that is not balanced state. Every unbalance we feel as stress, anxiety, depression or physical illness.
Why is art so helpful here?
Once came a girl to me saying ´how relaxed time she had that she feels much lighter and happier after painting´. It was like listening myself when I have started painting. Sometimes we might have head full of thoughts we overthink and overanalyse and it seems like we can´t see the right direction or decision in such mess. Life can be sending our way one challenge after another and we have no time to truly process what is happening. Painting is like brushing away all that dust with every brush line you make. With every colour and every line you create a little bit more space which allows you to see clearly. That´s where the lighter feeling comes from. Once you finish your painting you basically put some of your thoughts on the canvas even if you can´t see them there even if you were painting a tree or a landscape which are least stressful things for you in the moment. Your subconscious is processing all those thoughts through colours and shapes and making space and sense of past experiences. It is not important to see the meaning behind your painting. Important is the process itself the fact you feel better and lighter afterwards.
It can be hard to start.
Your mind might want to talk you out of doing any kind of art because ´its pointless´ ´you´re not good enough´ ´there are more important things to do then paint´ ´there´s no time´ and sometimes maybe there really are different priorities but if we feel stressed and overwhelmed this feeling is giving us heads up that we are not in balance. Any creative action can bring us back to balanced state. Paint, write, sing and you will see the world as it really is.
When you paint you´re giving permission to your mind process experiences you had in healthy creative way. You´re giving permission that your emotions can be heard and acknowledged. Especially in the world and society where demand is quite high and not everyone is built up for its pace painting or being creative in any way can help us to find balance to realise what is really important to clear our minds to hear ourselves.
What are your thoughts about painting and doing anything creative?
Let me know in the comments.
For weekly arty exercise for self-awarness and inspiration follow on social medias follow on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Mindful art…
evasartherapy.blog 