Have you ever explored art as a form of therapy?

Exploring art as a form of therapy is a powerful way to tap into your creative energy, express your emotions, and find joy in the present moment. Whether you're an experienced artist or a complete beginner, art can become a safe and brave space to look within.

Art therapy explores the journey of creation; the process being just as important as the end result. It softly encourages the free flow of thoughts, forming a safe space where your mind can wander and heart can speak.

I stumbled into the world of art therapy when I began exploring colours to brighten up a dark time in my life. Illustrating helped me use symbols to tell deeper stories through my art. It opened up a new way for me to communicate, giving a voice to things I struggled to express. If like me, you’re looking for ways to begin or continue along your healing journey, here’s 4 reasons why art therapy may be a great tool to for you to explore.

Let your mind & creativity flow

For some of us, our minds are constantly flowing with thoughts, experiencing different emotions in waves. Without an outlet or space to release, It can leave us feeling overwhelmed and mentally drained. Using art as therapy creates a safe space to explore those emotions, thoughts, and experiences that may be difficult to express in words. Without any expectations or judgement, you’re able to fully let go and pour yourself into whatever craft excites you. Whether you enjoy painting, writing, knitting or scrapbooking, let your mind and creativity flow.

Connect with your inner child

Connecting with your inner child through art can also help you rediscover your sense of playfulness and imagination. It’s not about being perfect or creating a masterpiece, but fully immersing yourself into the process. We tend to lose touch of the simple joys of childhood as we get older due to constant stressors, but art invites us to stay in the present and worry less about the constraints that don’t exist within the space it creates. 

By nurturing your inner child, you’re nurturing your current self. I found that through illustrating my emotions, I was giving myself the permission to exist and thrive in a healthy space. I was giving power to the little girl that struggled to express herself. It gave me the confidence to dig a little deeper with every creation and helped me to reconnect with an element of fun and excitement that I lost along the way. Through whatever creative outlets you choose to explore, you may find yourself rediscovering a sense of peace and play through the meditative and calming process of creation.

Find & champion your voice

Sometimes we know what to say but not how to say it, or we don’t know the words that describe how we feel. But art is a mouthpiece that can help us express ourselves through visual storytelling. It gives us room to communicate in a way that allows us to fully process how we feel as we translate our emotions. 

I often speak about symbolism, which is the use of images, colours and shapes to represent ideas and emotions. For example I use butterflies a lot to reflect my freedom, transformation and growth. Using these symbols helps me to speak on my experiences and uplift myself at the same time. I learnt that whether I choose to speak to someone about how I feel or draw it out, it’s important to release from time to time and provide myself with a clearer mind and healthier space to flourish.

Do something for you

Whilst letting your mind flow, connecting with your inner child and finding your voice are great positives that benefit us holistically, just carving out the time to be with yourself is an underrated plus. Nothing beats that solace you find when you get to just be. A moment within the day where you are your biggest focus. You are the moment and nothing else matters.

I love sitting down with a large cup of herbal tea, with my music playing and I instantly feel calmer. As soon as I pick up my pencil I feel lighter because I know this world I’m in is mine to experience and exist within. When I illustrate my emotions, I see it as a visual journal that grows along my journey, and It unknowingly became a part of my self care routine.

With many more benefits, I’m excited to continue exploring art as a form of therapy. I want people to know that there isn’t a right or wrong way to do things, as your process of healing is unique to you. It doesn’t matter if you doodle on scraps of paper or write in the notes app, we can all tap into the benefits of art therapy and learn to express ourselves authentically.