19/11/2024
CREATIVITY AND STRESS - How they're connected.
Why does our creative self shut down when we're STRESSED? Is there a correlation between overwhelm and a lack of our ability to connect to that part of us that loves to express joy, sing, laugh, play, hang out with friends, paint, shoot pictures, play in the garden, grow stuff, write, sing???????????
Yes there is. Because when our capacity is reduced and filled up with everyday adult-ing stuff, there is no time for play/being creative, we're just trying to survive.
If you're NOT living a life that you've created on purpose because you didn't even realize that that's a thing, then you're probably just living one day at a time, just surviving, trying to keep your head above water.
Part of living a creative life, and a life that you've created, is living a life that makes a difference.
Brené Brown talks about how, "the only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world will be born of our creativity", and gotta say I heartily agree.
This reminds of a workshop I went to a while back where there the presenter, Cat Bailey, artist extraordinaire, spoke about the art of Creativity and how you can't be creative without taking some emotional risks, that is, without being vulnerable.
One of the great things about Creativity and the expression of it, it can be used as a de-stressing tool, a tool to get in touch with your emotions and connect to you. If this sounds a little 'woo woo' to you, stay with me here.
One of the reasons we burn out and disconnect from our creative selves, is because we've disconnected from our needs and what's important to us, because as women we're running around looking after everyone else and their needs. Taking some time out to express ourselves through some art, craft, cooking, problem solving strategy session, or making mud pies with your kids, this process gets you out of your head and into your heart and body, and how you're feeling. Because to create we need to connect to that part of ourselves that knows how to play, to let go, to paint, write, dance, cook and make up recipes, to take risks, LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING. This type of letting go, reboots our nervous systems and gives us some much needed time out to decompresss.
So below (in the comments section) is my play at creativity at that workshop with Cat Bailey, which was absolute fun and thanks, for presenting and connecting us to a bit of creativity today, and got us thinking and de-stressing all in one go, how clever are you? I remember hearing one of the other women saying she didn't want to go home today, she wanted to stay doing the painting, which is always a great sign that you've done a great job, and contributed in some way.
So the next time your kids ask you to join in the play, (or someone else asks), Do Yourself a Favour, and them, and say yes and reconnect with that little kid inside of you, that just plays with abandon, and who knows, you might just enjoy yourself.