If one was to ask, “What is the first step to my healing journey?”, my answer will always be Creativity. Creative expression has helped me heal in ways I never thought was possible. It helped me tap into depths of myself that I never knew existed. It also helped me learn more about myself and guided me through the hardships and challenges of this thing we call LIFE. Creative expression helped me regulate my emotions and brought calmness to my nervous system.
There are so many different ways to be creative! A few ways are jewelry making, up-styling clothing, painting, music, pottery, poetry, graphic design, etc. The two forms of art that chose me were painting and jewelry making. Painting helped me regulate my emotions when I felt depressed or anxious. I would use painting as a positive way to escape, disconnect from the world and rewire my brain. I would paint what my heart desired or how I was feeling at that moment. I would use scraps, beads, flowers, and everyday items to add to my art to release whatever emotions I was feeling. After my masterpiece was completed, it felt like a huge release and a weight lifted off my shoulder. I would feel a million times better and felt like I was ready to reenter society with a big, beautiful smile on my face. Initially painting was used to channel and calm my emotions, then it became a daily hobby, so I started taking it seriously to learn more about the craft. While studying art therapy, I learned that colors are associated with various emotions. For example, red is associated with confidence, strength and passion, orange is associated with creativity, adventure, self-expression, blue is associated with peace and calmness, and green is associated with growth and abundance. This helped me with my emotions even more because painting gave me a way to visually express feelings that were sometimes difficult to put in words, as an introvert. Choosing colors based on how I felt allowed me to slow down, process my emotions and create a sense of calm and balance within myself. Before painting, I could choose colors that represented what I wanted to invite into my life. Painting became more than just artwork: it became a reminder of what I was working toward, helping me focus my thoughts, emotions and actions on the energy and experiences I wanted to cultivate.
While making various jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, copper designs and anklets, it brought me to a meditative space of stillness and peace. I knew then that jewelry made my nervous system calm and kept my mind at rest. Whenever I felt stressed, depressed, anxious or my mind was racing, I knew it was time to make some jewelry. According to Sonia Davis, “The Jewelry Instructor”, she states, “When you engage in creative tasks, your brain shifts from the default mode network—often associated with mind-wandering and anxiety—to a more focused and present state. This shift helps reduce stress and quiets the mental noise that can lead to overwhelm.” (https://www.thejewelryinstructor.com/post/how-creativity-quiets-the-noise-the-mindful-art-of-jewelry-making) This is why creative expression can be more than just a fun activity. It can be a powerful tool for emotional wellness and self-care. Whether you are painting, writing, drawing, or making jewelry, the process allows one to slow down, reconnect with yourself and release the negative emotions that may be flowing through you.
Lastly, making time for creativity in your daily life, whether it be for 5 minutes or an hour, can help you feel more grounded, present and better equipped to navigate stress and everyday challenges.
By Monera Tillman, Co-Founder of The BLACC House, Chair of Arts and Creative Expression
