Nuturing Your Inner Artist: 4 Ways to Express Yourself

I do not see myself as creative - meaning I can't DIY even with a tutorial, and I am not that great at coming up with creations all on my own. When I had to think about what my type of "art" is - it has to be my writing. So though I am not good with a paint brush or a sewing machine, I still need creativity to create my words. I am SO excited Zara Lewis is back to share ways to find our inner artist - expressing ourselves is a key to mental wellness, and I love her ideas to find that expression.

Pablo Picasso once said that every child is an artist: the only problem is how to remain one once we grow up. While you may not be the next Van Gogh, nurturing your inner artist is healthy and many people use art creation as therapy. Here, it’s not about creating a masterpiece but rather about enjoying the process of self-exploration. Art therapy has its roots in the teachings of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung where creation is essential for clearing up the communication paths between the conscious and unconscious and overcoming inner conflicts. For busy moms, art therapy is a perfect opportunity to channel frustrations and learn to communicate more effectively about personal needs; it helps you sort thoughts and emotions, and de-stress. Our surroundings and habits affect us more than we’re aware of: here’s how you can create a positive atmosphere to express yourself.

Mind Your Environment

You must have noticed how certain spaces make you feel cramped, restless, or uncomfortable. Our surroundings have an impact on our mood and also affect our cognitive processes. A study conducted by the University of Minnesota has shown that small adaptions in our environments can significantly boost our creativity. A subtle noise in the background (between 50 and 70 decibels, which is the level of noise found in coffee shops) can actually help you focus on your creative work. And no, your kids fighting in the other room is not considered to be the optimal ambient sound we’re talking about. If you don’t have the opportunity to catch some moments of solitude outside the house, arrange your personal space so that it inspires you. Make sure your working area is not cluttered and that the overall room design is appealing to the eye. There is research suggesting that painting the walls blue or green will help you get creative.

Commit to Exercising

From great writers such as Thomas Mann and Henry James to philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Henry Thoreau – they’ve all used walking, exercising, or any type of body movement in order to overcome creative blocks. Science-backed data says it’s true: committing to a four-times-per-week workout regime can significantly boost your creativity in the long run. This way, you’re not just training your body but also your brain which becomes more flexible in finding creative solutions. Your training session helps your mind wander which is the recipe for success in art creation. If you don’t have the time to go to the gym, install your own at home and incorporate exercise into your daily routine. All you need is some commercial gym equipment, a bottle of water to keep you hydrated, and at least an hour of your day. Alternatively, you can try practicing yoga or go for a light jog in the neighborhood.

Find Inspiration in Other Artists  

When it comes to art creation, nobody’s a blank page. We are all influenced by many different complex factors: from the things we see and read to the music we hear, we gradually build our sense of aesthetics and become original by initially imitating others. There is nothing wrong with learning from the best: many modern artists proudly show their admiration for artworks from the past and then create innovative masterpieces that were born out of this collision. It is actually rather beautiful to explore these connections and understand their mechanisms. Discover what artists are there: being a busy mom is challenging but you should always focus on lifelong learning. It keeps your brain in shape and the more you know – the more likely you are to create. Reading books helps you explore different worlds and travel through time and space - without leaving your home. Listening to music can impact your hormonal levels (e.g. release serotonin or oxytocin) and possibly trigger the “a-ha!” moment you’ve been craving.

Find Your Way to Relax

Creating helps you relax while being relaxed helps you create. But when you’re a busy mom with tons of things on your to-do list, taking a deep breath in order to unwind a bit seems like a huge task. You can start by shaking up your morning routine: simply by getting up half an hour earlier and savoring a cup of coffee in silence can make a huge difference. It lets you contemplate about the upcoming day and enables you to truly be present. Meditation and deep breathing exercises also work, along with spa treatments or bubble baths. And good news for wine-lovers: research says that moderate intoxication helps with creative problem solving and triggers the so-called “sudden insights.” As the famous French poet Charles Baudelaire said: with wine, poetry or virtue – be drunk! Inebriation with life supports you in finding inspiration everywhere.  

Art is something that cannot be fully defined but in the broadest sense – it is something that has the power to deeply move us. By creating, we are actually confirming the playful side of our being – the one we forget about in the busyness of our everyday. But we’re all artists of some kind: it’s what makes us human. Take these tips into consideration and ensure all conditions are there to get your creative juices flowing: it triggers a liberating feeling like no other!

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Being in a creative rut can be daunting, but I love these tips to discovering and boosting your creativity. Though my art comes out in my words, I often feel lost and a bit stuck. I love learning new ways to let the creative juices flow!

Thanks so much, Zara, for sharing these encouraging words. You can also read her last Always A New Day post by reading my Best of 2016.

Share how you plan to nurture your inner artist this year. Let's encourage each other!