The Art of Self-soothing 3: Creativity

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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 ourselves. 

Creativity encompasses so many activities. Since early times people have embraced their creativity. We know about Neolithic cave paintings and stories passed down orally before most people could write. 

Nowadays, we think of more formal ways of being creative such as fine art and paintings but creativity means so much more.

The only need for creativity is time. Time for the space to create. In that space so many things can occur.

Ways to be creative

As well as the obvious arts and crafts there are numerous less obvious ways to be creative:

Taking time out to think and dream and wonder is creative. This can include time to rethink our job or our hobbies or our home. 

Allowing ourselves time to daydream on a train journey. 

Maybe brainstorming ideas at work because it’s usually more productive to think something through with a colleague than by yourself. There is a buzz in the energy that emerges in some creative exchanges.

Practical jobs can be creative too. Watching a plasterer and carpenter at work recently reinforced my admiration for their skills. The ability to make something beautiful out of raw materials is a very rewarding. As is DIY for the amateur. The process of problem solving, planning the job and carrying it out is absorbing and fulfilling. 

Cooking and baking can also be soothing. The mindful way of chopping an onion or literally creating a meal for others to be sustained and hopefully enjoy, as well as in a Bake Off artistic ‘cheffy’ kind of way!

I find my work very creative. I provide a space for 2 people to think together. What emerges in that space is very special. Each session with a client or supervisee is unique and can never be repeated. We come together bringing all that we do and have experienced on that particular day to think about the patient and their issues. What emerges in that space is also unique and cannot be repeated. The alchemy and destination achieved between us is the result of the creative process between us.

Psychoanalysts and Creativity

Freud, Jung and Winnicott (founding psychoanalysts) all wrote theories about creativity, highlighting the need for and importance of it. Freud wrote about it in relation to culture and being a part of society. Winnicott wrote about it in relation to the mother and baby and the need for creativity within the relationship between them. 

Jung used and encouraged the idea of active imagination which is creating a silent space for an individual to see what comes into their mind and to use any form of artistic medium to express the thought or image which comes to mind. The resulting piece is then thought about in relation to the creator and why they might have created that piece and its significance to them creating that now at this point of their life. Why not try the practice of active imagination yourself?

And so, this month you may find it helpful to think about a way that you can do something creative. So that you can get out of your day-to-day thoughts and To Do list and tap into something else which may calm and soothe you. It may even lead to something interesting and exciting …