name='p:domain_verify'/> Always A New Day : Nuturing Your Inner Artist: 4 Ways to Express Yourself


1.06.2017

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!

32 comments :

  1. Great tips! I used to say that I was not creative bit as you say, we all have it as children. Thanks for the tips!!

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    1. Thank you so much for reading! I strongly believe that we all have this creativity inside, we just need to explore ourselves.

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    2. Thank you for reading! We are creative - we are moms!

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  2. I really liked your point about initially imitating other artist. It makes me feel like I can't be original, but I like the idea of thinking of it as collaborative. Pinning for later!

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    1. Thanks for reading! As I said, we're all so much influenced by different factors. Even the most famous artists are. And there's nothing wrong to learn from the best.

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    2. Yes! We are all collaborating everyday - we need each other. Thanks for pinning!

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  3. This is GREAT! Thank you so much for sharing! I needed this today! <3

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    1. Thank you so much for reading!

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    2. I am so glad you found it when needed! Thank you for reading!

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  4. I definitely agree that being relaxed helps me feel more creative. When my son is asleep, I am enjoying a cup of coffee, it's quiet, I'm able to open my mind up to my ideas.

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    1. And this is a magic circle, creating helps you to relax, while being relaxed makes you more creative. Thank you so much for reading!

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    2. Yes! There is something about that quiet time that is peaceful and gets ideas going!

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  5. I am totally on board this. Even with parenting I feel like this is a top priority for us in our home to be outside and run around to encourage learning (inside and outside!). I hadn't thought about the space/environment deal, but that makes sense too the more I think about it.

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    1. Thanks for reading! Our surroundings really do have great impact on our creative process and if we adjust it just a little bit to ourselves, it can boost our inner creativity.

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    2. It really does! I just changed a little in my bedroom, and it just boosted my mood!

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  6. Love this. I had never thought of exercising as fueling creativity, but it totally makes sense. I love that your four tips are concrete and doable. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you so much for reading! I'm happy that you found these tips useful.

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    2. Me, too! One of my favorite reasons for exercising is how I feel after - highly recommend just for that!

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  7. Great post! Being creative can be so difficult when you're juggling full-time motherhood and a full-time job! I try to have craft nights with my seven year old after my toddler is in bed. We pick a project and work on it for an hour or so. I also have nights whereI work on a project after everyone has gone to bed, just to have "me" time... it's so healthy to be creative!

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    1. I love that! I need to do that more often instead of just sulking into the couch. It's amazing what the creativity and productivity will do for you!

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  8. I needed to read this today! It's so important not to neglect yourself!

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    1. I'm glad you found it when needed. I strong believe in that too!

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  9. These are great tips! I feel like as I am getting older and defining new priorities, it is becoming easier to be creative.

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    1. Yes! Isn't that so true? I am doing the same this year. It's so freeing and fun!

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  10. I love these ideas - a home gym is something I'm working on creating as well! !

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    1. Wouldn't that be a dream? Mine is currently combined with the kids playroom. I would love a project to make a gym of my own!

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  11. I love your focus on environment! Each time I've moved, my office has been the first space I've worked on. Although each one has been really different from the next, my goal each time was to build a space that inspired me to create.

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    1. Love that process. I need to spend some time designing a space just for me. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. I really liked your tip to find ways to relax! I have read so often lately that it can make a world of difference to get up early in the morning for time to yourself. This is one of my goals for 2017 and I appreciate the reminder!

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    1. That has been a big goal of mine, too. I have been doing pretty well with it - I love the quiet before the rush!

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  13. I really love these tips. I think it's vital to be looking at all aspects of your life like exercises to stay not only inspired but balanced!

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    1. I completely agree! So important as we get older and life gets so busy!

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