How often do you tell yourself that there’s no time to indulge in your creative hobbies? That you have serious things to do that are more important?
We think of creativity as frivolous. We think it’s a luxury that we can get to when we have the time. But we never have the time, because we’re busy.
We’ve been conditioned to think that way by a society that needs us to give all our energy to the machine and doesn’t want us to feel fulfilled or energised outside of it. But that way of thinking is bleeding us dry and slowly destroying us.
We need creativity
Human beings are creative animals. We have been making art and telling stories since we began. Creativity is how we make sense of the world. It’s how we understand others, and ourselves.
It’s also really important for our health.
Creativity has been proven to reduce stress. anxiety and depression. It also improves confidence and self-esteem. Creative activities help people to process difficult feelings and complex thoughts, enabling self-expression, exploration and understanding.
Not only that, but creativity has physical health benefits too. We have taken to separating our minds from our bodies in our view of ourselves and our wellbeing, as if our brain wasn’t a part of our body. But we are one entity - everything is connected. So it’s not that surprising that creativity has been found to reduce blood pressure, increase energy levels, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Some studies have shown that it can help to reduce chronic pain.
Creativity is good for your brain - it improves cognitive function, memory, problem-solving skills and mental flexibility. It’s been suggested that this could help reduce or delay dementia.
Through art and stories, we also come to understand other people better. We develop greater empathy and compassion, and feel more connected to one another.
This isn’t a luxury - this is a necessity for your health.
Resist the system
Creativity is an act of resistance.
The capitalist machine doesn’t want you to use your imagination. You might start to imagine a better way of living.
It doesn’t want you to connect with other people. You might start helping each other, and not relying on consumption. Worse still, you might start encouraging each other to reject its hold on society.
It doesn’t want you to be well. If you are stressed, anxious, doubting yourself, feeling aches and pains, and vaguely aware that you are not your best self, then the system can convince you that you need to buy more stuff. They have something you need, they will say confidently, that will fix your problems. Oh, did that one not work? It’s because you also have another problem - but don’t worry, they have something for that too. And so it goes on.
Creativity is an act of resistance against that machine. Self-care is an act of resistance. Looking after yourself and finding fulfilment without needing stuff is an act of rebellion.
So this is your call to arms.
Stop telling yourself you don’t have time, that you don’t deserve to enjoy a hobby because you haven’t worked hard enough yet, that you have more important things to do… Nothing is more important than your health.
This is vital.
They want you to believe that you need to earn it. That you need to be “talented”, a “proper artist”, to spend time on these activities. That art isn’t serious.
Don’t believe their lies.
You are a creative soul. Your soul needs to be nurtured.
Building a creative practice
If you want to get started with using creativity to support your wellbeing, I have a FREE course to take you through some basic techniques.
In just seven days (or whatever pace suits you), you’ll try out a range of activities that support your emotional health and think about how you can build a regular practice to suit you.
Because giving yourself that time regularly and consistently - in whatever way you are able to do that - is key to your creative self-care.
I’d love for you to come and join me.
I think of creativity as a life force rather than separate from it. So I apply creativity to all facets of my life.💕
Oh I love creativity as an act of resistance and rebellion! Also I think I struggle with making the time to be creative with no outcome/point to the exercise. And yet perhaps the point is the act in itself xx