“Creativity is the road to your imagination, and your imagination is the place of all possibility”
-Dr. Barbara J. Fish
Welcome to The Joy of Creativity – a place to quiet your mind, rest your soul and indulge in some creative self-care, tailored for women. From a quick and dirty, “I need to contain my emotions” to a quicker and dirtier, “I need to scream but it’s not appropriate,” to gentle, mindful practices that may just result in something beautiful, I am here to offer simple suggestions and interventions to soothe the female soul as well as help and support you in moving forward.
Why? To begin, creativity has transformed my life. As an artist, author and emerging art therapist, creativity has supported me in getting through two divorces, overcoming financial hardship, and navigating grief. On the opposite pole, it has served me in all aspects of life: from raising children, to improving my relationships, to wellness, giving back and discovering my purpose.
Creativity is also what led me to Candace and Ginita, founders of WIFE.org., where I volunteered, worked and helped lead the Second Saturday Divorce workshop charge for nearly six years. This story will be saved for another post?.
What I know is this: indulging creatively can help and inform just about everything. It provides respite from challenges, and supports us in safely processing our emotions. It guides us in finding solutions. Creativity gives us permission to turn back the internal clock to childhood and simply indulge. Last but not least, the science is in: creativity and creative practices have been shown to generate a “cascade of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, the brain chemicals that affect our well-being,” increasing feelings of joy and contentment.
Translation? Getting creative in any way can reduce stress and anxiety. It makes us feel playful and present. It frees up our brains to problem solve. It connects us with our imaginations, which literally is, “the place of all possibility.”
If you think you aren’t creative, think again: from baking to knitting to gardening or playing with our children, we are all creative.
Our child minds knew this to be true. If you walk into any kindergarten class and ask, “Who is an artist?” it is guaranteed that almost every hand will shoot up in the air. The problem is that, as we grow, we become self- conscious – worried that “ours isn’t good enough,” or worse, we aren’t good enough. Many of us worry so much about what others think that we lose the connection to our most precious gifts.
This inborn wellness wellspring may bubble up to the surface at different times, but mostly, the that little spark of genius is held at bay. But keep the faith: it’s waiting to awaken and be used to benefit your brain, body and soul – beginning with intention.
Intention is a powerful, universal energy that is always available, transcends time and can support us in creating the life we desire. It has been written about endlessly by sages, teachers and gurus for thousands of years…because it works! For these purposes, your first intention just might be something like this: I am setting an intention to live more creatively
Setting an intention means taking a strong purpose or aim, fusing it with your deepest determination, wrapping it in trust, and letting it go…into the depths of your own consciousness, and out to the Universe.
When you add a creative practice and mindfulness into the mix and physically make something that represents your intention, you engage your conscious and subconscious in a visceral way. This practice shows the Universe that you are serious and ready to receive. You also have a powerful, visual reminder of your intention to touch, feel and “soak into” daily.
Setting an intention is a simple, sacred and celebratory process: once it’s done, your unconscious and conscious mind conspire with the Universe, driving your actions and decisions towards what you intend. These forces also go to work weeding out things that get in the way.
Related Exercise: Setting an Intention
I have been married for 8 yrs. We have no property, no kids. He makes double of what I make, I have a pension and he 401k. All I want is spousal support, I work and make okay $ but in order for me and my son to live in a decent neighborhood my income is not enough. What if he doesn’t want a divorce? Can I move out and file for separation or stay and serve him with the separation? I live in Virginia
Those are all good questions, and you’ll need to ask them of someone who knows the laws of your state. In most states you can get a divorce even if one spouse doesn’t want a divorce.