5 SIMPLE CREATIVE WELLNESS EXERCISES
Expressive creative wellness is the intentional use of art to express your inner world, build self-awareness, and process the layers of your life experiences.
Creating art is a powerful way to communicate things within yourself that are often difficult to put into words. Through creative expression, you can release stored emotions, give your thoughts a physical form, and cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself.
Below are five simple exercises you can do in a group or as a private ritual.
PREPARING THE SPACE
Before you begin, create a peaceful, safe environment. Dim the lights, put on your favorite calming music, and set your devices aside. Take a few deep breaths to ground yourself into this moment.
Invite your inner child into this process. Ask them what colors they want to use or where they want to place things. Let them know that while difficult feelings could possibly come up, you are there with them and will do your best to take this as slowly as they need. Once you feel settled, choose an exercise below and jump right in.
1 ) PAINT YOUR CURRENT MOOD
Make a painting, sculpture, or mask that matches your current mood.
Create out of the emotions or sensations you are currently experiencing.
Feeling angry? What color, shapes, symbols, or textures could represent that emotion in your piece?
Feeling depressed? How would the colors flow if they were depressed?
There are no wrong answers. Follow your impulses and go off of what first comes to mind. Use whatever you have, like recycled materials.
2 ) COLLAGE YOUR DESIRED EMOTION
Make a collage to represent an emotion you desire to feel more of.
Cut out and paste pieces from magazines, old photos, or books that bring you the feeling you want to feel more of. If you want to feel more happiness or peace, use pieces that spark that even a little bit in you. Place this desired emotions collage somewhere to inspire you.
BONUS - Although we want our minds to focus on positives, creating a collage to get out any emotions you do not want to feel can also be beneficial. Once finished you may even want to take the undesired emotions piece and destroy it by tearing it up or safely burning it. You can also save this step for when you are really needing a somatic emotional release.
3 ) AFFIRMATION STONES OR CARDS
Decorate little cards or rocks with affirmations you find value or inspiration in.
Place them where you will see every day. Affirmations are great ways to focus us towards what we are creating in this life. Use emotional affirmations like…
“I am free and safe to feel this emotion.”
“I listen to what my emotions and body is telling me.”
“I am not okay right now and that is okay. I can sit with these difficult emotions and breathe through this.”
4 ) MAPPING ACTIVATING WORDS
Decorate a page with words that positively activate you.
Grab as many colors as you want. On a blank page write the title “words I live by” and then write out any words that deeply inspire you. You can write each word in different colors, fonts, sizes, and angles, covering the whole page. (ex: love, devotion, faith, surrender, let go, peace, calm, meditate, growth)
5 ) LIQUID LIGHT COLORING PAGES
Shop my Liquid Light Coloring Pages (Printed or PDF) and grab your childhood favorite markers, pens, or paints!
These abstract coloring pages are a powerful way to drop into a healing flow state, regulate your nervous system, and connect with your inner child. I designed these pages to help give your mind a place to rest and your hands a place to play.
SHOP THE PRE-PRINTED PAGES OR THE PDF
Remember, throughout the whole session do your best to stay in communication with your little one about what they are feeling, what colors they want to use, and where they want to place things. This will help build your relationship and trust with your inner child.
The more you give yourself to these practices the more you will get out of it.
If you have any questions about these exercises or want more guidance in them don't hesitate to contact me!