A week ago, I sat down with my heavy bunch of colored pencils and papers to relax after a long week. I wanted to brush off the stress that had settled on me. But as I stared at the blank page, I was overcome by a wave of self-doubt. "Can I even draw decently well?" I wondered. "Will I like what comes out of this?" I was so caught up in the idea of creating something "good" that I almost didn't start at all.
It’s funny, isn't it? As kids, we never thought twice about grabbing a crayon and just... making something. Remember those scribbles, those wild, vibrant explosions of color? We'd look around, a flower, a dusty house, maybe just the way the sunlight hit the window, and lo! It was on the paper, no plan, no perfect outcome, just pure, joyful creation. But somewhere along the way, we lost that. We started judging, comparing, and worrying about "straight lines" and "talent." We forgot that the magic wasn't in the perfect result, but in the doing.
Well then, I took a deep breath, put the pressure aside, and just began. And you know what? I didn’t end up with some masterpiece of an art. But the process was cathartic. I chose the feeling of letting go, and grabbed the surprise of what emerged.
That's what I want to talk about today: choosing creative explorations as a way of relaxation and unwinding from the pressures of mundane life.
Creative activities like painting, music, dance, crafts, pottery, and handmade work are all channels for the unspoken, a way to externalize feelings that words can't quite capture.
As Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded the idea of analytical psychology, observed, 'Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.'
What happens when you ‘create’?
We often hear or read that a creative activity takes you inward. But scientifically speaking, what’s happening during this process?
It’s indeed a fascinating interplay of neurological processes. When we engage in creative endeavors, our brain lights up. Regions associated with focus, problem-solving, and emotional processing become highly active. This can lead to what Hungarian-American psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi termed "flow," a state of complete absorption, infact a highly focused mental state.
In ‘flow’, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and motivation. This creates a feedback loop, reinforcing the creative act and fostering a sense of deep satisfaction. Furthermore, creative activities can enhance neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to form new connections. This means that engaging in creativity can literally reshape our brains, making them more adaptable and resilient. The default mode network of the brain, associated with mind wandering, and the prefrontal cortex, associated with planning, work in tandem to create new pathways of thought.
When you choose to do activities that enable flow, you become so focused on the task at hand that sometimes you are no longer aware of your surroundings. You may lose track of time and feel as though you are in a different world. This can be a very rewarding experience.
A personal experience:
In a recent creative exploration workshop that I had conducted, we delved into the fluid nature of water, using it as a mirror to our own inner landscapes. We mixed watercolors with water, poured small pools onto paper, and then, with gentle swaying motions, guided the colors across the surface. As participants lifted and tilted their papers, the water moved in unpredictable, organic ways, a dance of color and chance.
After setting their work down, I asked them to reflect on the experience. One participant, her voice filled with a quiet wonder, said, "I felt so free after a long time." Why? I believe it was the permission to step away from the rigid confines of "perfect art." They were given the freedom to play, to experiment, to simply be with the water and colors. There was no pressure to create a masterpiece, no expectation of a specific outcome, just the liberating act of allowing the water to lead the way.
For those who struggle to articulate their inner world, creativity becomes a vital tool, a means to navigate and understand the complex terrain of their own being.
How can one start? Some ideas:
Want to experience the joy of creation without the pressure? Here are some simple ideas to get you started:
- Freehand Doodle: Grab a notebook and a pen, and just let your hand wander. No planning, no pressure, just lines and shapes to fill the page.
- Paint the Music: Put on some instrumental music and try to paint, draw, or write what you "see" in the sounds. Abstract is perfect!
- Compose with Nature: Go outside and collect leaves, flowers, or stones. Then, arrange them into a temporary artwork on the ground or paper. Capture a photo if you like, but the process is the point.
- Write Unfiltered: Start a story with a single sentence, then write for 10 minutes without stopping. Don't worry about grammar or plot, just let the words flow.
- Experiment in the Kitchen: Try a new recipe, but don't stress about following it perfectly. Experiment with flavors and ingredients. It's about the sensory experience.
- Move and Express: Put on some music and just move your body. Dance, sway, stretch, whatever feels good. Focus on the feeling of movement, not the look.
- Shape the Clay: Get some air-dry clay and just squish, shape, and mold it. No specific goal, just explore the texture and possibilities.
- Tear and Collage: Tear up old magazines or newspapers and create a collage. Focus on the colors and textures, not the final image.
- Speak Your Mind: record your thoughts or feelings, as if you are talking to a friend. Do not worry about the sound of your voice. Just let it out.
- Color Within: Grab a Mandala book and some colors. Enjoy the process of filling the shapes with colors.
As a creative wellbeing facilitator, I've witnessed firsthand the profound power of art as a conduit for self-discovery. In my workshops, blending nature observation with artistic expression, I see participants (often with no prior art-making experience) use their creations as living metaphors, tangible representations of their inner being. Whether sharing these insights with the group or holding them close in quiet contemplation, they are engaging in a vital dialogue with themselves. This is the essence of creative wellness: an intentional, daily practice that opens a window into self-awareness. It's not about the outcome, but the journey inward, a journey that allows us to find freedom, clarity, and a deeper understanding of ourselves. So, pick up a crayon, move to the music, or sculpt with clay, and allow yourself the space to simply be. You might be surprised at what you discover.
About the Author
Haripriya is a content and communications professional with 14+ years in media content production and brand solutions. She is currently leading customer success at Anyo, a wellness platform based in Chennai. She is a mandala artist and curates creative wellbeing experiences for individuals and organizations.