Creating as Therapy

Creating something (anything), whether it’s a piece of art, writing, music, or a DIY project of some kind activates a different part of the brain than the usual operating system. Instead of thinking, planning, and ruminating, we get to engage an entirely separate place that’s more about joy. It’s more about process rather than product.

I often speak about mindfulness, and mindful moments. There are many ways to do this, and the act of creation is one way to be in the present (which is what mindfulness is, essentially). For my therapy clients, I always encourage a mindfulness practice as a way to temporarily escape from thinking about the past (depression) or the future (anxiety). Many people struggle to stay in the present for any length of time, but can better do so with a creative project of some kind.

Personally, I must create in order to be happy. When I notice anxious or depressive thoughts more often, it’s either a clue that I haven’t engaged enough in a state of creativity lately, or just that I need to do more in the moment to deal with the present emotions. It’s a way to fill the cup so that once the process is finished, there are more resources with which to deal with whatever has come up.

Oftentimes, people worry about whatever it is they’re doing being “good enough.” That doesn’t matter if you make it more about the process than the product. Sometimes things turn out that we’re happy with, and sometimes not. Working with the critical voice in our heads takes practice, but if you notice it saying to you that whatever you’re doing isn’t good enough, it’s an opportunity to question it and to let it know that the process is what you’re seeking. This doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen eventually.

If the act of creating something gives you anxiety, you can make a plan to do something “not good” on purpose. When I was working with children, I’d have them paint something abstract so that they didn’t focus on trying to make something realistic, then being disappointed. Abstract doesn’t equal “not good”, but you get the point about taking the pressure off. If you’re intimidated by the word “art”, trying thinking of it as just a way to reset the nervous system. It doesn’t need to be judged and it’s OK to start small. : )