Creativity and Emotions
A friend asks you, “How are you?” and you aren’t quite sure how to answer because perhaps it’s been a while since you stopped to check in with yourself.
When it comes to giving space for our emotional lives, it may be difficult to even identify how we are feeling. We live such hurried lives so most of the time, we forget to check in. And sometimes, we might need a different avenue in exploring how we are feeling. In addition to going to therapy, being open to other modalities for checking in with our emotions is a powerful way to uncover and release when we are feeling stuck. Creativity can unlock such emotions, supporting our emotional health and mental health.
Here are four creative ways to explore your emotions when you are feeling stuck:
Stream of Consciousness Writing- This kind of writing is different from reflective writing. You write anything that comes to your mind, without thinking, without edits. It’s helpful to play some soft music in the background and use a timer. You can start small, like 10 or even 5 minutes of writing. See what comes up.
Gentle Mindful Walks- Leave your dog behind, maybe even your phone and take in the scenery around you. Use your senses to notice what you smell, hear, feel, and see. Your nervous system will start to settle. You might notice yourself shedding tears or feeling disappointed or find yourself in gratitude you didn’t expect. All emotions are allowed. Try not to judge yourself.
Dance It Out: Whether you decide to take a class or turn on your favorite song and dance in your living room, moving your body in this way releases certain chemicals in your brain that eases anxiety and stress. It is also said to improve our mood.
Express Through Art: You don’t have to declare yourself an artist to participate in art. Thinking and overthinking can exasperate the nervous system. Engaging in mindless drawing on an empty page or coloring (coloring books work too), or trying out art therapy, art can help us express emotions that are often hard to put into words.
If you are looking to try out creative writing as a tool, we’d love to see you at Kyunghee’s Exploring Grief Through Creative Writing Virtual Workshop. You may also connect with Kyunghee to inquire about one-on-one creative therapeutic writing coaching.
Kyunghee Kim, MA (she/her)
Former educator, author, and coach, Kyunghee’s work encompasses helping people gain insight into their strengths to guide them through challenges they face in their everyday lives.
Exploring Grief Through Creative Writing
This blog is one of the offerings of Grove Emotional Health Collaborative. We offer a range of mental health care services. Explore Our Providers or reach out to get started today.
