Thanks Jeanette. As a psychotherapist, I find that my most stuck Clients have lost touch with her creativity, covered up by the scars left by the messiness of life‘s painful experiences. Creativity can unlock the process of healing and transform that pain into something beautiful.
Interesting that you say that Cindy. Creativity seems so fundamental to being a healthy human, yet we lose touch with it and need reminders to get back.
Generally - they lost touch with their playful inner child in the process of trying to fit in to our system here in America. We celebrate achievement, things, $$, which is literally deadly to the younger parts of us. We are meant to play - creativity is play - and once we start to play again we realize we have had our priorities ALL wrong.
I grew up thinking I wasn’t creative—because drawing and painting failed to come naturally. It wasn’t talent I lacked, but curiosity.
Then, in my late 20s, with a bit of encouragement, I bloomed—into a writer, a creator, a storyteller. A whole new flower.
I’m endlessly grateful for reminders like this. How beautiful the world becomes with the permission to create—for no reason other than to feel and express.
And how magical it is when what was once heavy begins to move—sometimes even becoming joy.
The article "Unleash Daily Creativity: Transform Routine into Art" highlights how integrating creativity into everyday activities can enhance mental well-being. It encourages readers to recognize and cultivate creative moments in routine tasks, emphasizing that creativity is accessible to everyone and not confined to traditional artistic endeavors.
Your philosophy re: creativity is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing this. As an aside, I grew up painting 'wet on wet' watercolour -- fortunate in that respect, and feel the freedom in cracking the idea of creativity wide open. Well done! :)
Everything can be a creative expression! It's about being present and bringing attention to moments. Sometimes creativity requires a lot of focused energy, sometimes it's about just noticing what's around me. Thank you for this wonderful piece.
This piece is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t just an outlet—it’s a quiet form of healing. In a world that often demands productivity over presence, returning to something expressive, playful, or imaginative can reconnect us to our core. Whether it’s writing, drawing, or simply creating space to feel, this “free therapy” is often the most powerful. It reminds us that transformation doesn’t always require grand change—sometimes, it starts with one brushstroke, one word, one moment of mindful creation.
This sure hit the spot at just the right time (I'm amazed how often that happens here on Substack 😀). You are so right and you summed it all up so beautifully. I've been focusing a lot more lately on all the little ways my creativity can enrich my life AND have really seen time and time again how even small things like you mentioned can quickly shift a moment of depression or anxiety. Doing something creative actually turns on different parts of the brain and can get someone unstuck quicker than anything else sometimes. Thank you for sharing this today! ps- You may be interested in the article I just posted yesterday on CURIOSITY. Very much related. I'll drop a link in a sec.
Yes creative acts fire up parts of the brain we're not all using well. And we'll welcome the curiosity, experimentation, and delight that come with the experience. I look forward to reading your Curiosity post, Morgan.
People today should choose to do some creative activities instead of doom scrolling. It's therapy for sure and helps you enjoy, even your creations are not that good. Most of the art I make is to help me in one way or the other and if others enjoy, it's even better but not necessary.
Thanks Jeanette. As a psychotherapist, I find that my most stuck Clients have lost touch with her creativity, covered up by the scars left by the messiness of life‘s painful experiences. Creativity can unlock the process of healing and transform that pain into something beautiful.
Interesting that you say that Cindy. Creativity seems so fundamental to being a healthy human, yet we lose touch with it and need reminders to get back.
Generally - they lost touch with their playful inner child in the process of trying to fit in to our system here in America. We celebrate achievement, things, $$, which is literally deadly to the younger parts of us. We are meant to play - creativity is play - and once we start to play again we realize we have had our priorities ALL wrong.
I grew up thinking I wasn’t creative—because drawing and painting failed to come naturally. It wasn’t talent I lacked, but curiosity.
Then, in my late 20s, with a bit of encouragement, I bloomed—into a writer, a creator, a storyteller. A whole new flower.
I’m endlessly grateful for reminders like this. How beautiful the world becomes with the permission to create—for no reason other than to feel and express.
And how magical it is when what was once heavy begins to move—sometimes even becoming joy.
Thank you for your words <3
Love “what was once heavy begins to move”. Isn't that just what self-expression can do for our inner self?
The article "Unleash Daily Creativity: Transform Routine into Art" highlights how integrating creativity into everyday activities can enhance mental well-being. It encourages readers to recognize and cultivate creative moments in routine tasks, emphasizing that creativity is accessible to everyone and not confined to traditional artistic endeavors.
Yes, Jeanette! We were born creative - it's an innate part of what makes us human.
Absolutely, Dennis.
Your philosophy re: creativity is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing this. As an aside, I grew up painting 'wet on wet' watercolour -- fortunate in that respect, and feel the freedom in cracking the idea of creativity wide open. Well done! :)
Love to see your watercolours too, Nadia.
I love the idea of finding creativity in everyday moments!! Thank you so much for sharing this Jeanette!!
Let me know how you find yours, Caroline?
I find walking to be one of the best ways to unlock my creativity! And substack is always really inspiring too.
Everything can be a creative expression! It's about being present and bringing attention to moments. Sometimes creativity requires a lot of focused energy, sometimes it's about just noticing what's around me. Thank you for this wonderful piece.
This piece is a beautiful reminder that creativity isn’t just an outlet—it’s a quiet form of healing. In a world that often demands productivity over presence, returning to something expressive, playful, or imaginative can reconnect us to our core. Whether it’s writing, drawing, or simply creating space to feel, this “free therapy” is often the most powerful. It reminds us that transformation doesn’t always require grand change—sometimes, it starts with one brushstroke, one word, one moment of mindful creation.
Yes! Self-expression is the best free therapy to realign ourselves. And that brings inner power and peace.
I love the painting. Immediately, to me, it’s me standing on my skis, looking past a tree at a distant hillside, a bird on the branch in front of me.
Yes! Creating and creativity are essentially living.
This sure hit the spot at just the right time (I'm amazed how often that happens here on Substack 😀). You are so right and you summed it all up so beautifully. I've been focusing a lot more lately on all the little ways my creativity can enrich my life AND have really seen time and time again how even small things like you mentioned can quickly shift a moment of depression or anxiety. Doing something creative actually turns on different parts of the brain and can get someone unstuck quicker than anything else sometimes. Thank you for sharing this today! ps- You may be interested in the article I just posted yesterday on CURIOSITY. Very much related. I'll drop a link in a sec.
Yes creative acts fire up parts of the brain we're not all using well. And we'll welcome the curiosity, experimentation, and delight that come with the experience. I look forward to reading your Curiosity post, Morgan.
This is so inspiring. Thank you friend. This made my day. 🙏
I'm so happy to hear that Kelly.
People today should choose to do some creative activities instead of doom scrolling. It's therapy for sure and helps you enjoy, even your creations are not that good. Most of the art I make is to help me in one way or the other and if others enjoy, it's even better but not necessary.
Hey that was some meaningful advice🫶
Glad to hear it resonated, Palak.
Here's that link. I think you'll enjoy! https://open.substack.com/pub/bridgerwellness/p/i-wonder?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=32j7cq