Our creativity may just be the ticket to help us withstand the trials that burden us. When we do something out of the ordinary, something we love can take our focus off ourselves for a while and into a creative outlet. The key is to concentrate on something other than our circumstances. To give attention to everything except the negative, harmful mind chatter. There are many things that may help usher us to a place of harmony and inner peace.
Here’s but a short list:
SELF-EXPRESSION
Express you, who you truly are, your authenticity and do everything you love. Anything new encourages self-expression. We can practice self-expression through the arts.
WRITE, SCRIBBLE, DOODLE, & DRAW
Writing whether it be for your personal pleasure or creating that epic novel you dreamt of or were inspired to write and share with others.
Scribbling in a scribbler can help release buried tension. Remember when you were a kid, and your parents bought you a scrapbook? Well, why not buy one now and experience the joy of being a kid again? You can take this a step further and start scrapbooking by collecting a collage of photos from magazines or from family photo albums.
Get colorful and start color therapy. Here we are stepping back in time to when we were children… remember your first coloring book? Well, it’s back with adult coloring books. Using your favorite colors while keeping within the lines is quite calming.
Doodle your way out of a negative vibe. Draw or sketch. Use crayons, paints, and colored pencils. Just let your creativity flow onto the blank page. Draw whatever comes to mind. It’s therapeutic.
DANCE & SING YOUR WAY TO INNER PEACE
If you feel like dancing, dance.
If you feel like singing, sing.
Perhaps, let’s dance and sing, even if… we don’t feel like it.
CHOOSE THE WAY TO INNER PEACE
If you feel like choosing, choose… because that is the beauty of life. We have options. Those appealing, salient, interesting, and gratifying options that always call out to us. Choose to change something in your life that will lead you toward peace.
We are unique, one of a kind, and what works for one person may not work for another. Whatever personally resonates with you is best. Only you alone will know what does or doesn’t provide what it is you need. Get creative and explore all options. By exploring all options rather than the familiar ones used in the past, you may discover something that helps you achieve the peace you seek.
TIME OUTDOORS
Spend time outside, bask in the sunlight, take in the fresh air, and the sounds of nature.
GET PHYSICAL
Getting the body in motion, helps us sleep better, and when we sleep better, we are more alert, aware, and become more creative. When creative we can tap in on vital energy, which is the key to motivation.
Take long walks. Go to the park, take a stroll by a body of water or find a hiking trail under a forested canopy. These are places where we can reach a state of calm. Nature is healing, as it absorbs the negative energy, and releases well-being providing restoration for mind, body, and soul.
EXERCISE
Practice Yoga, Tai Chi, or Zumba. Get into a new exercise regime or begin a strength-training program.
Cycling is beneficial as it is known to curb depression and anxiety providing a feeling similar to “rider’s high.”
LAST BUT NOT LEAST
The most important step you can take is to start doing what you love and stop over-thinking, over-analyzing, and overreacting… over anything.
The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it loves.