Comfort Creativity

Let me start this post by saying that it's okay to be not fine. I'm certainly not fine.

This year has been awful, absolutely terrible. I don't know if I can say it's been the worst year of my life, but it's certainly been in the running.

This past August, I began my fall semester of junior year in university. The week before school began, my grandfather passed. When I got home that weekend, I found out my scorpion had also passed. My dearest dog friend passed away exactly a month before that.

I was going through a whirlwind of grief and I could barely find any time to mourn before I was whisked away to go to school and pretend everyday that I was normal.

There's a lot of other misery occurring as well but basically, life has been a major challenge. All I tend to think about it loss. I spent nearly all of Halloween sobbing. Honestly, there are some things in life that aren't going to get better. Certain things might never be okay. But I've learned a few things that have given me moments of comfort through the bad times that I would like to share. Perhaps it might help even a tiny bit.

Visual art is a way that I am able to catalogue my feelings and represent those I miss. I made this piece on Halloween, paying homage to special people and pets that have passed on.

I always encourage others to try out visual arts. Do a little painting, drawing, coloring. Automatic art is a process where you just make something without having an end goal. I try it occasionally when I'm suffering from nightmares or negative thoughts. It can be an emotionally difficult activity but it is a healthy way to confront whatever you're going through.

Play with colors and express your inner sadness in privacy. You don't have to show your art to anyone. It might just help you understand more of your own needs.

Try out some journaling! I really love journaling but I know that it can be really hard to get into if you aren't in the habit of doing so. My favorite thing to do is go to the little woodsy park near my house, sit on the park bench, and watch nature as I make a journal entry.

Journaling should not feel like a chore, you don't need to write that you took the garbage out (but you can!). You can make art journals, lists, poems, curse your enemies- that's all completely up to you. Something that encouraged me to journal was when I realized that I would read them again in the future. It feels almost like an extension to working with my inner-child or younger self.

Journaling is a way to be a better friend to you. There are even tear-up journals if you really hate writing so much. Trying out journaling truly offers you a chance to get in touch with your emotions and what your heart longs for.

Baking is another great way to use up some creative energy and end up with a tasty reward. I love cooking and baking and I try to do it whenever I'm feeling good enough to. Baking always tastes better with love mixed into it.

If cooking from scratch is too stressful, by all means get a box cake mix and try that out. You can always add more creative flair into your baking. Find a food that you really love and give it a shot. If it doesn't go to plan then remember that you've attempted something and that is an important step that you've made. If it works out, then hooray! Dessert time.

Comfort creativity like art, journaling, and baking are all things that you can do without outside pressure. They are things that you can work on alone to help tend to yourself.

I want to advocate for less expensive options to actually getting in touch with your spirit. You do not need to buy anything miraculous to do these creative activities. A pencil, the back of an envelope, or a packet of Pillsbury cookie dough are all more accessible items which can help bolster your creative abilities.

These ideas won't solve anything drastic, especially if you are dealing with chronic pain, mental illness, or loss- but they can provide little things to look forward to or focus on so that you aren't always falling into a pit of despair.

I wish the best for you and your heart, no matter what you're going through.