ART THERAPY DAY 2:
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| Barn deconstruction by Denise Mulligan |
Is it just me or is time speeding up? I feel like my "to do" list is forever growing. My tasks are an insatiable infant that demands more feeding more frequently. "Stop the world, I wanna get off" resounds in my mind like a meditative mantra, except that there's nothing relaxing or beneficial to my well being.
Who's fault is it though if I'm always saying "Yes" to every request asked of me. It's up to all of us as individuals to say "no more". I would love to but...
We must be in charge of the "to do" list and how fat it grows.
The act of painting and creating art can help us relieve stress. It also helps me if I have something in my mind that I would like to create. I'm more likely to add "new painting" to my list in place of more mundane tasks that can wait instead.
Not one of us can fly through all of the demands of the day without pause and think that we will feel full and satisfied with ourselves. We need to make the time.
Take your time. Stop multitasking. Multitasking has been proven NOT to work. All we become is scattered having no focus as we get a lot of little things partially done.
- Distraction: Creating art can take our mind's off of what’s stressing us. When we’re finished being engrossed in our art, we will have a clear mind to envision some things that we would like to have in our lives. What comes to mind when creating? Write down conflicts you feel, issues that are unresolved or new ideas that may come up while creating.
- Flow: Being completely engaged in something to the point of being in a near meditative state. It carries many of the benefits of meditation, leaving you much less stressed when you’re done. You can experience ‘flow’ when you’re doing creative activities.
- Paint in abstracts. Not sure what you want? Make abstract paintings. Abstractions let us express feelings related to the past or stressful experiences. It allows us to process our emotions and heal.
Make an abstract painting to describe your feelings about a current stressful issue. If you don't paint then doodle. It doesn't have to be on canvas. You can paint in a journal or on watercolor paper. If you're a writer make a poem about an issue you'd like to resolve.
Processing our secret places gets us clear on what we want rather than on what no longer applies to our lives anymore. Unleash the demons hiding in your mind and feel free again.
If you liked this post would you leave a comment down below? I'd love to get your feedback if you tried day 1 or 2. Did the exercise help you in any way?
11 comments:
This is such a wonderful, inspiring and extremely helpful post and series.
I've been keeping journals in some form or another for most of my life, incorporating doodles, sketches, watercolour paintings (with paints or with coloured pencils), ideas for paintings, ideas for craft projects, images from dreams I've had, and I've found that it truly does help. Expressing and releasing inner thoughts and feelings through both words and images truly does amazing things for the heart, the soul, the mind, the spirit, I've found.
Thanks so much for this, Denni. I feel so much better when I'm creating something...anything...if I'm not painting or crafting, I find baking to be so incredibly soothing to the soul and spirit, in a meditative sort of way all its own. Creating something nourishing - emphasis on the word 'create.'
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Denni. Lots of love to you, and thanks again for this great theme and these great creative exercises.
Love the title of this post. I try never to multi task anymore, but just do one thing at a time and it's so amazing how it clears a lot of clutter from the mind. I have resolved to play with my art making in some fashion every day, because that's what keeps me going more than anything. Lovely energetic art making. xox Corrine
I usually have to multitask at work. So when I'm hone I try to keep quiet and one thing at a time.
And art is really therapeutic for me. :)
I'm still a constant multi-tasker though I love those moments when the art takes over and time flies by without notice. I think I step away from art frequently because I'm not sure what to do next so leave it to let my subconscious mull it over. That's also why I have several in progress things going at once - then if I hit a wall, I just move to another piece.
I have to come back to this and read it slowly and then act on it. thanks.
This sounds wonderful. I'm a chronic multi-tasker, and need to slow down and focus on my goals... one at a time. Thanks for sharing. :)
Great, inspiring post. Thank you!
I always felt so much pressure in life. Felt like it was never enough what I had done. And yes, that to do list was growing and growing.
Now I still have a to do list, I take a look at it and choose 1 thing that needs to be done.
And you know what, because focussing on only 1 thing means it really gets done, my list is getting shorter! Whoohoo and I have time to do fun things too now!!
love your abstract painting
I agree - Multitasking is EVIL!! I've begun to release my need to do multiple things at once and instead, to fully enjoy whatever I am focused on at the time.
I love your abstract piece, it is gorgeous!!
Visiting from Artists in Blogland.
xox
I'm here from Artists in Blogland and love your painting - gorgeous!
Thanks Michelle!
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