Emotions & Art: How To Release Through Creativity!
It’s easy to get so caught up in our feelings, they almost consume us! 😱
From euphoria to anger - all emotions can blind us. The worst for me is when I feel so completely and utterly useless that I get stuck, depressed and can’t seem to find my way out…
But what if there was a way for us to channel our emotions out of us? Well, that’s what creativity does!
“Art is fueled by emotion.”
I can guarantee the last song any of us listened to, the last painting we saw hanging in a random restaurant, and even the last thing written in anyone’s journal all began with an emotion. 🥲 🖼️ ✍️
As an artist with a creative brain (when it wants to be, anyway 💁♀️) I almost always find myself reaching for something to pour my emotions into when I’m in the middle of really feeling them! Not only is it natural for me to do, but I feel the benefits immediately. Transferring those emotions allows me to connect with them fully, see them for what they truly are and think them through in a way I can’t do as easily if I keep them all inside.
That’s why we love other people’s art too. They reflect different parts of those vast universes inside our hearts and minds, helping us process our feelings and ‘feel seen’. It makes me so grateful for all the incredible artists out there who do the difficult job of actually expressing it in the first place! #GOART
Art helps us express feelings in a uniquely important way
I know what you’re thinking, especially if you don’t think of yourself as artistic: “I can just talk to my friends about how I feel, surely that’s the same thing?”
Well, of course our loved ones can help - but other people aren’t always around, and honestly we have way too many feelings for everyone else to deal with, let alone understand! 😅 More than that, sometimes words just don’t cut it - we need to go with the flow of how we feel and that’s why more creative approaches are essential.
But DW! Art’s not all just canvas and brushes, art can take endless different forms, even dancing, yoga and sports can be considered art forms, if you ask me! 💃 Any way in which we can express ourselves in the rawest, most authentic, creative way could be considered art. It’s the essence of who we are. 💛
Haven’t been feeling inspired or creative lately? Not sure how to channel your pent up energy?? I’ve got you 😘
Read on for 5 of my favorite creative outlets along with how they’ve personally helped me, time and time again! They’re all super beginner friendly too, and once you get past the initial push of getting yourself to do them, they really do feel effortless. ✨
1. Painting/drawing
There’s a reason why painting/drawing is top of the list for me. It truly is one thing that I always, without fail, get completely immersed or “lost” in… in the best way possible!
I’m not sure if it's just mesmerising witnessing and simultaneously being responsible for the rainbow of colours dancing around the canvas, meshing together, or just the fact that there’s a whoooole world of options literally at my fingertips for what to create. 😮🎨 I’m going to assume it’s a combination of both!
One of the greatest things about art (in any form, really) is that you don’t have to be an “artist”. Let go of any preconceived notions of what you should make or how it should look. If you’re using it as an outlet, then it’s ALL about the process of creation and making something that’s truly your own!
2. Writing (poetry/songs/journaling etc)
Writing is definitelyyy one of my favorites because it always seems to flow when you finally bring yourself to put the pen to the paper! ✍️ And, even if it doesn’t flow, that can then be a point of interest! I like to write “words, words, words…” loads of times to allow the blockage to also take form, until I feel satisfied. Eventually I find something else appears soon after!
For some of us (myself included!), articulate ourselves through writing words can actually come more easily than speakin! 🤪 Writing big chunks, poetry, a song, or even a little diary-style entry gives me the room to breathe and the fluidity to let things out in a way that makes sense for how I feel and, I find it so much FUN!
There’s no rules if you’re doing it freeform. If you’re aiming for a format such as with a song or a poem, it can be challenging and, at the same time, exciting to test our creativity and use it to channel our most prominent emotions and what makes us unique! 🤗💚
3. Singing
Singing has always had suchhh a special place in my heart that nothing else can truly replicate. I’ve always had a bit of a block when it comes to being heard, but singing truly unleashes it and makes me feel sooo free! 🕊️
You don’t have to be “good” or a “rockstar” to sing AT ALL! Even if you’re jamming along to one of your favourite songs on a car ride with your besties (which I’m sure you’ve done!), it’s one of the most fun and carefree experiences ever. Allowing yourself to be heard and to release some high vibe energy is never, ever a bad thing. So, let’s sing it out! 🥰
4. Yoga and other physical activity
Some people say that emotions are “energy in motion”, which makes sense when you think about the release and flood of positive hormones that are fired out from moving our bodies! Getting up and moving may be the last thing you want to do when you’re really having a rough time (trust me, I know!), but we always feel at least 50% better just for trying.
Even if we don’t do as much as we might want to, movement helps us feel a bit less stuck or stagnant physically, and definitely mentally too! 🤸♀️💛
5. making videos
If you ever feel like you may not be able to discuss things you’re passionate about with others, you can always do it by making videos!
In the moment of creation, I’m just talking to myself which helps me feel more comfortable. Then, the cool thing is, if we put it out to the world, we never know who’s going to watch it! Potential best friends or even fans are always out there. 👀 And, at the very least, it’s good for us to express ourselves and help anyone else who happens to come across our video know they are seen! 😊
Express yourself, don’t repress yourself
No matter how you choose to express and release your emotions creatively, just remember that it’s always going to be healthier than fighting yourself on the inside, or even picking a fight with your loved ones! They’d definitely prefer to see or hear your uniquely badass creations a whoooole lot more, and I’m sure that’s something you’d be more proud of in the end as well. 👌
I still need someone to remind me of this monthly, approximately 2-3 days before my cycle, tbh...oopsy. 🙃
Got beginner energy? That’s ok!
I know it can be difficult at first, especially if you’re new to it or trying your hand at something more intricate, but my best advice is to embrace the newness and just have fun with it!
You could try writing a poem to express how you feel in times of heartbreak, or paint a picture that depicts what the inside of your mind looks like when your thoughts are really loud… or just whatever feels good for you to express in the moment! Remember that there’s no such thing as perfection, and that this is just for you, your mental health and inner growth. And if you’re not sure where to start or what will work for you, sometimes you just need to try something new, and don’t be afraid to get a little weird with it. 😜
