Creating as a form of Healing
Permission to play, get messy, and design something curated from my soul.
That’s creative healing for me.
When talking with others about my childhood, I see there’s a lot of similarities. Now also being a parent myself, I deeply understand some of what my parents went through emotionally when raising me.
Similarities in Childhood
The pattern of wanting to have a space to express myself is what I see when looking back at what it was like growing up. That pattern is also found when I’m chatting with friends. Self expression and discovery.
We wanted to wear outfits that showcased who we were and decorate our rooms in ways that allowed us to feel inspired and excited about life. We wanted room to even figure out what we liked.
Understanding my Parents
Now, being a parent myself I get that maybe there needs to be boundaries around some of the things we let kids wear. I understand that it can make us anxious when kids get messy.
I can take what I now have a different perspective on, and approach it with healing.
It is safe to get messy.
Often we can get out of our bodies and into a frantic when a mess is made. Rather it’s glitter getting everywhere, slime spilling on the carpet, water splashing everywhere, or something getting spilled on our clothes. I get it. I still have to remind myself to breathe and not react when an accident is made.
We can get messy. It is safe. I don’t think we need to walk on eggshells and hold a tight grip around perfection. I think in fact, we can release, drop our shoulders, and purposefully walk into the mess. Every once in awhile, we can intentionally…
splatter paint everywhere
take our shoes off and walk through the dirt
throw glitter in the air
dance around the yard and let out a big scream
This is how we reclaim getting messy.
When we it comes to everyday messes or accidents, we can…
set boundaries (have designated areas in your home for slime or other arts and crafts that can get messy)
take a moment to pause when the spill happens, breathe, and remind yourself that accidents happen and it doesn’t have to ruin your entire mood or day
We are allowed to make life playful. Taking time to play doesn’t make us irresponsible.
I believe, from I’ve witnessed, that there is a fear of taking time for fun. If we have fun, we are somehow not responsible. Yes, there are things that we need to take care of in life but it’s not all about working. We don’t have to work our lives away. There can be a balance. In fact, we can even make life fun. The best work is often produced when we’ve taken a break to rest, connect with pleasure, and play. Resets and readjustments are needed.
I deserve to design a space sacred to me and those around me.
One activity that was powerful for me, and may be helpful for you too, is to design my home. It may seem simple but if it’s not something you’ve take the time to do then I highly recommend it. Mindfully curate a home, or even a part of your home that you love. Meditate on it. Close your eyes and visualize what you love. What colors would be there? How would you sit? Is there music playing? Are there scents? Look through magazines and find inspiration. Then, let go of the idea that you can’t afford it. You can start somewhere. Start small. Thrift, use Facebook marketplace, see what’s available in your neighborhood. People often give things away by just placing the item in their front yard. Is there anything you can make on your own? Don’t over think it. Maybe you already have everything and it’s just a simple moving thing around differently that will help and bring in fresh energy.
What you wear, how you set up your home, and you’re ability to allow play and messiness into your life are all apart of creative healing. It’s not just bringing out a canvas and making a painting. It’s so much more than that. Art is all around us.