During my last workshop in January, when I mentioned that the arts can be a powerful means to self-exploration and self-expression, someone asked me how we can get started with this. Well, it's been a couple of months since then, but the question has been rattling around in my head long enough for me to put my thoughts into a blog post finally.
While I was already familiar with visual art + writing, i.e., art journalling as a way of self-expression, my course in Expressive Arts Therapies opened my eyes to how powerful other modes of art such as dance, collage, clay, movement, and drama can be for self-expression as well. Seeing how deep we're able to tap into ourselves when these forms are combined in therapy sessions was revelatory for me.
The beauty lies in the fact that when we don't find words to express what we feel, art helps us tap into our deepest thoughts and desires, which we may often be unaware of, and helps us give voice to them.
Coming back to the question, how does one get started with using art for self-expression? Here are some of my thoughts -
Free exploration - Set aside some time to freely make art without a specific goal in mind. Follow this up by journaling your thoughts for deeper reflection.
Outlet for your Emotions - On a day when you feel like your emotions are getting the better of you, whether it is anger, sadness, or something else, try and channel that into art or some movement. Again, at the end of it, you can try journalling and see what comes up.
Start with a question - If you've been sitting with some confusion about something, start by writing that down. Allow your intuition to guide you to make art freely, and then take some time to write a free-form poem (no need to rhyme!) or journal at the end of the exercise. Some clarity might likely emerge at the end of this exercise. At the very least, you might just make peace with the fact that you are confused :)
What sort of art to make in these instances, you ask? Well, take that pen or brush for a walk and see where it leads you. It can be abstract – just scribbles, or splashes of paint, perhaps human or animal figures, whatever feels natural to you in that moment. You can also explore collage, sculpting with clay, mixed media art, embroidery, making music, movement, dance, or any other form of art that you find joy in.
Remember, trust your impulses, and suppress the urge to question or judge too much. Instead, follow your instincts and see where it takes you! Most of all, stay open and curious and do not judge the final piece of art that is taking shape. Because the process and emotions evoked are key and it doesn't matter if the art is aesthetically pleasing or not.
If you try this out, do leave a comment to let me know how it goes. Also, if you'd like to stay updated when I host my next Expressive Arts Therapy workshop, do consider signing up for my newsletter.