Unlock the healing power of art, even if you can’t draw a straight line.
How does art help with healing? Art has a profound ability to heal because it taps into
our subconscious, allowing us to express feelings that are often difficult to communicate with words.
The power of art to help with healing lies in its capacity to comfort, and help us reconnect with parts of ourselves that often go unnoticed. Yet, for many, the word “art” brings back memories of insecurity or judgment from school art classes. There’s a common belief that only those with natural talent can create something beautiful. However, the true significance of art isn’t found in creating a technically perfect final piece, but in the creative process itself.
You don’t need to be an artist or even be able to “Draw a straight line,” to experience the profound benefits of creative expression. Whether painting, doodling, or simply playing with colors, creating can be a powerful tool for emotional release, stress relief, and personal growth. Let’s explore how art heals and why anyone, regardless of skill level, can tap into its transformative power.
There was a time in my life, when my children were young, that I struggled with depression and anxiety. I felt completely lost. I was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, sadness, worry, overwhelm, stress—that I couldn’t put into words. One day, I started playing with some decorative papers and magazine images and collaging them into an old book. It wasn’t anything special, just pictures and some words that called to me. But as I arranged the images and words, I felt this weight lifted off my shoulders. The more I played around, the deeper I connected with what I was doing on those book pages. I realized that I was releasing emotions and thoughts that had been spiraling in my head with nowhere to go, and sorting out the the trauma that I was hiding from.
I let it all go into those book pages, my safe space, allowing the art to express what I couldn’t say aloud. Art became my therapy, my way of making sense of the chaos inside me. I started with collages and gradually moved to more intricate mixed-media pages. It was surprising how much relief I felt as I lost myself in the details of my art-making. Creating something, even if it didn’t look perfect, helped me process my emotions and see my struggles from a different perspective. Art didn’t solve everything, but it gave me a new way to cope and heal. When creating, I was in a completely different headspace; the creative flow state. In this state, the brain not only quiets self-conscious thoughts, but also boosts dopamine, and brainwave patterns shift to support creativity and relaxation.
The art I created in those journals did not have a keen aesthetic or any value as an end product; But for me, I gained profound insight and healing from the activity. It gave me a mental break from overthinking, anxious, and depressed thoughts. This process is something that anyone can benefit from if they are willing to engage in creative expression. Whether you’re an experienced artist or someone who’s never picked up a paintbrush or felt artistic, making art can provide significant emotional and psychological relief. By focusing on the process rather than the product, art offers a unique pathway to self-discovery, stress reduction, and personal growth, demonstrating that the true power of creativity lies in its ability to connect us with our innermost selves, regardless of our skill level.
Why Try Art Even If You “Can’t Draw a Straight Line”?
It’s not about perfection, it’s about the process. Everyone has an innate creative ability, and it’s the act of creating that brings healing, not the final product. In therapeutic or mindful art practices, there’s no right or wrong way to create. The focus is on the experience and what it brings out in you, not on making something that looks “perfect.” Explore, experiment, and play without judgment. This can be liberating for people who feel constrained by the expectations of everyday life. Simple acts like doodling, coloring, or drawing abstract shapes can put your mind into the creative flow state and open the door to a new form of self-care and personal exploration.
Open your mind to curious exploration and tap into your innate creativity for healing and transformation. Here are five ways you can play with art and discover its healing potential:
1. Art Journaling
This is where it all started for me. I picked up an old children’s book and started collaging, doodling, and painting on the pages. Art journaling allows you to express your thoughts and emotions visually and textually, providing an outlet for processing feelings that may be difficult to say out loud. It helped me in releasing stress, anxiety, and trauma.
Find a book you can dedicate as a journal for your practice. It can be an old used book, a blank diary, or an artist’s sketchbook. Play with mixed media—such as painting, drawing, collage, and writing—to reflect on your daily experiences or emotions. Set aside time regularly to engage with your journal, allowing it to be a safe space for self-expression.
2. Mindful Intuitive Mark Making
This is what I like to call Zen doodling. The practice involves creating marks, shapes, or patterns without a predetermined plan, focusing on the process rather than the outcome. It helps to reduce stress and connect with the present moment. I often use it during long meetings to help keep me grounded and relaxed.
Grab some materials that feel good to use—such as charcoal, pastels, or even a ballpoint pen. Close your eyes and start making marks on paper. Let your hand move freely, and focus on the sensations and the process. Reflect on the feelings or thoughts that arise during this practice.
3. Creating Mandalas
While creating mandalas can be more intricate, it’s an excellent way to tap into a creative flow state, bringing your mind and body into a calm, focused state. Mandalas, with their circular designs, symbolize the universe in Buddhist and Hindu traditions. However, they have also become widely embraced in modern society for their meditative and therapeutic qualities.
Begin by drawing a circle in the center of a paper. This will be the foundation of your mandala. Mark the center of your circle. From here, you’ll build your design outward. Start adding patterns and shapes around the central point, working your way outward. Focus on maintaining symmetry and balance as you go. Repeat patterns or shapes as you expand your design. This repetition helps create a sense of harmony and rhythm. As you add color, consider what emotions or intentions you want to infuse into your mandala. Let your color choices reflect your inner state. Focus on the act of creating, allowing your mind to relax and enter a state of calm awareness.
4. Expressive Painting
This is a wonderful way to explore painting without having to worry about your level of artistic skill. Expressive painting involves using color, form, and movement to express emotions, often without a specific image in mind. It can help release pent-up emotions and provide a cathartic experience.
Set up a space where you can paint freely without worrying about making a mess. Using watercolor or acrylic paints, choose colors that resonate with your emotional state, and let your brush or hands guide you. Focus on how the colors and strokes make you feel rather than trying to create something that looks “Good.” Allow the process to be fluid and spontaneous.
5. Collage Making
There’s something deeply freeing about tearing paper! Most of my collage work is done without scissors, as I embrace the act of ripping and let the images take shape organically. Sometimes, the paper tears in surprising ways, teaching me to go with the flow of the creative process.
Blending different images, textures, and materials into a cohesive whole can be a powerful way to explore and integrate various aspects of yourself or your experiences. Often, when you look back at your creation, you’ll find your personal story naturally reflected in the art.
Gather materials such as magazines, newspapers, fabric, and other found objects. Start by selecting images or textures that speak to you. Arrange and glue them onto a surface in a way that feels meaningful or represents something you are currently processing. Reflect on the themes or emotions that emerge as you create.
These practices are tools for self-exploration and healing, offering ways to connect with your emotions, relieve stress, and promote overall well-being.
There are so many ways to explore how art has the power to heal, transform, and connect us to parts of ourselves that often remain hidden in the chaos of daily life. You don’t need to be a trained artist or produce gallery-worthy pieces to experience its benefits. The true magic lies in creating—whether through journaling, intuitive mark-making, mandala creation, or expressive painting. These practices offer a pathway to emotional release, stress reduction, and self-discovery, providing a unique outlet accessible to everyone. By letting go of the need for perfection and embracing the process, you open yourself up to the healing potential of art. So, pick up a pen, brush, or any tool that calls to you, and allow yourself the freedom to explore and heal through creativity.
If you want to explore the healing power of art through visual journaling, check out my brand new course on Art Journaling here: creative-wellness1.teachable.com
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