John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory Attachment Theory is a well-known and widely accepted concept in human development and psychotherapy. British psychiatrist John Bowlby developed it in the 1950s. The crux of attachment theory is that the early emotional bonds between...
John Bowlby’s Attachment Theory
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott
The Helpful Ideas of Donald Winnicott Continuing my series on the founders of psychoanalysis I'm exploring Donald Winnicott this month. Donald Winnicott (1896-1971) was a paediatrician who then trained as a psychoanalyst, first to adults and later to...
The Importance of Melanie Klein
The Importance of Melanie Klein Melanie Klein was a groundbreaking and highly creative psychoanalyst. She was born in 1882 in Vienna but spent most of her life in UK, dying in London in 1960. Her life was fascinating, with many losses and tragedies but...
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today?
Carl Jung – Is He Relevant Today? Carl Gustav Jung was born into a religious family in Switzerland and studied to be a doctor. During these studies he became fascinated with current philosophy, anthropology and psychological theories and work in...
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today
How Freud Is Still Relevant Today Prompted by last month’s blog on Narcissism, this is the first in a series on some of the founding members in psychoanalysis and some of their ideas, many of which, I believe, are still useful for us today. Widely...
Narcissism
Narcissism The term 'narcissism' is banded around a lot. But what does being a narcissist actually mean? And how do we work out if we are in a relationship with one, or even if we might be one ourselves? Origins of Narcissism The term narcissism comes from...
The Art of Self-soothing 4: Using Our Senses
Using Our Senses This final post in my series is about using our bodily senses to self-soothe. There are lots of ways that we can self-sooth by looking. Sight Natural Vistas As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, nature and landscapes are very calming. For...
The Art of Self-soothing 3: Creativity
Creativity is a sure way to self-soothe. People have lost themselves in creative pursuits since time began. Getting in touch with our creativity is a way of reaching something within ourselves. By allowing this to develop we can usually make something bigger than...
The Art of Self-Soothing 2: Nature
This month’s way to self soothe is by being in nature. It’s long been known and proven that being outside and preferably in nature can improve our mental health. Take a Short Walk The simplest ways are often the most effective. Such as going for a short walk from your...
The Art of Self Soothing
There is so much going on in the world now. It’s hard watching the news, in fact I am more likely to just quickly check a news ap than I am to watch the news in real time. Many people I speak to are unable to watch the news at all because they struggle to think of the...
Time is the most precious resource we have. Our values are reflected in how we choose to spend it. Our lives can become so busy and filled with day to day tasks that we can squeeze out important aspects. One area which can be easily neglected is our creativity. Undoubtedly, creativity is a vital part of our life and our internal world is all the richer for it.
what does creativity mean to you?
Do you have any hobbies which you have always wanted to try but just never got round to taking up or maybe started but gave up due to time pressures?
For example are you interested in:
- photography
- music
- film
- writing
- dancing
- painting
- sculpture
- gardening
- baking
Spending time appreciating and/or creating something artistic can feel very precious and fulfilling. Furthermore the process of creating is good for our minds and our souls.
Active imagination
In the early 1900s, Carl Gustav Jung developed a therapeutic method which was directly related to this. He called it active imagination. This is where you sit silently with an artistic medium of your choice for a few minutes and clear your mind of everything which is currently concerning you. Then without thinking about what you are doing, you use the medium to create something. Not only can the results be fascinating, but also enlightening as our imagination naturally works to heal what may be concerning us.
If this sounds too abstract and challenging then why not start with a clear focus, such as what your ideal holiday could be and see what your unconscious brings forth. Find some playdough or crayons and give it a go…
Alternatively, you could enlist in that photography course you have always wanted to or work your way through a self-help book which encourages creativity such as The Artist’s Way.