This month’s blog is an important one. Itsets out some of the amazing benefits creativity has to offer and how it can support our mental health and well being.
Is Creativity good for your mental health?
An interesting question…
In my experience… Yes Yes YES!! Creativity has most definitely been my saviour and helped me through some very challenging and traumatic times. On many occasions, creativity has guided me back to a reality that is golden, glittery and full of colour and connection.
Three years ago, my mum died and I was consumed by grief – my life fell apart within 6 months. There is a wonderful story from Irish mythology – Mis and Dubh Ruis that illustrates this experience so well.
Story Summary…
In short, Mis is overwhelmed by grief when seeing her father die in battle. Engulfed by this grief, she runs to the mountains and isolates herself. She becomes the antithesis of all that she was before. Hair grows all over her body, her nails grow long like claws. She is wild and terrorises anyone who crosses her path.
However, it is not a warrior or a soldier or a prince that brings her back to reality. It is a simple harper named Dubh Ruis. He brings Mis back to life. In my interpretation, it is the gentle art of creativity that helps her find herself again.
When I encountered this story, I was Mis! I too had become a husk of my former self, lost everything and found myself steeped in a pool of despair. I was not a hairy beast terrorising the neighbourhood, but I was acting in ways that were unrecognisable.
It was the rituals of creativity that brought me back to life. And they are still working their magic today.
Does this resonate with you?
Creativity and Mental Health in Everyday Life
Yesterday, my boundaries were being pushed, pulled, pressed and strangled in all directions. In the past I would have felt anger and despair and added fuel to the fire by having a mini tantrum of my own. This time, I picked up my creativity journal and drew my way out of the difficult emotions. Once I was calm and with my creative mind sparked, I was able to think clearly and act with sovereignty. Creativity serves me on a regular basis.
Creativity encourages:
- Mindfulness – being present in the moment (and getting your head out of your own arse!)
- Deeper self awareness and self-understanding
- You to ask important questions
- See the magic in the ordinary
- Come together with other creative sparks
- Self expression when words are not enough and a way of releasing difficult emotions
There are many more. Let me know the benefits you have experienced.
Creativity Works!
Yesterday, I really struggled. My boundaries were being pulled, pushed, pressed and strangled from all directions. What I would do in the past is get angry and desperate and add fuel to the fire with my own mini tantrum.
Creativity and Mental Health Quotes
Here are some of my favourite quotes on creativity and on mental health to inspire and motivate you into a creative practice.
“Creativity takes Courage.” – Henri Matisse
“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” -Scott Adams
“Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye.” – Dorothy Parker.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge, Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein.
“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainty.” – Eric Fromm
“You look at me and cry; everything hurts. I hold you and whisper: but everything can heal.” ― Rupi Kaur
“Mental health problems don’t define who you are. They are something you experience. You walk in the rain and you feel the rain, but, importantly, YOU ARE NOT THE RAIN.” — Matt Haig