Living
Creatively
A blog for people looking to learn more about Art Therapy and how creativity can lead to self-discovery, balance and new ways of tackling old problems.
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A blog for people looking to learn more about Art Therapy and how creativity can lead to self-discovery, balance and new ways of tackling old problems.
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Imagine this… You’ve had a long day and finally get a few minutes to yourself. You decide to whip out your favorite art materials and get to making. No plan just play. Within minutes you find yourself in a groove. You’re making choices, putting this here and that there. You get lost in the process of making your thing. Your blood pressure drops, your breathing slows, and your mind quiets. You put your finishing touches, make those final choices, and put your materials down. You look at your creation and a smile erupts across your face as you honor your piece, and yourself for showing up and creating. You feel refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle whatever comes next. This is the beauty and benefit of making and creating where the focus is on the process. Here’s another scenario… You’ve had a long day and finally get a few minutes to yourself. You decide to grab your best art materials and begin to plan your piece. You know what you want to make so you get to making. As you work, you’re thinking about composition, color, and other artistic elements. You want your piece to look like what you imagine within your mind’s eye. You also want your piece to be visually appealing and engaging to others. As you get to the last elements you want to add to your piece you begin to review your work. You smile as you see what you created meets the criteria you set out for yourself. A sense of pride and accomplishment fills you. This is what happens when you finish something you set out to create, where the focus is on the product. Both of these approaches to art making are valid. Which route you take depends on what purpose art making has for you. I am here to advocate for the side of process though. I feel this approach is the most accessible to everyone. This way of making gives us the opportunity to quiet the inner critic and be more creative. It allows us to remember what it’s like to make art like a kid. A time where we didn’t judge our creations and had a blast making stuff because our creativity knew no bounds. I challenge you to make something this week. Doodle, finger paint, collage, color, make a beaded bracelet, work on a fuse bead project, knit, embroider, or grab some playdoh. Put on some music and just play with your materials. Follow your creativity and curiosity to see where it leads you! Be safe and be well. -Janette D. M.
With everything going on you maybe finding yourself feeling a little restless and becoming aware of things you put on the back burner. You’ve tried all kinds of stuff to find a healthy outlet for your stress or work through your stuck feelings. Art making has been catching your eye again, but you struggle with the inner critic who tells you, “Art making is a waste of time. You’ve got better more important things to do. Where would you even start? Plus, you are no artist!” I’ve seen and experienced the transformational power of art making. It’s ability to contain big emotions and thoughts too difficult to utter in words. Art’s capacity to calm the mind and the body. The way it can express things words just never could. I have witnessed art’s ability to comfort, contain, inspire, unearth, and heal people who are feeling stuck. I have seen what happens when people create and make art like a kid again; finding joy and lightness they forgot existed. This is what I hope to bring to others who have always felt a pull towards creating, crafting, and making but have lost touch with their creative side. I want to show others the power of expressive art and creativity. How it can help transform us from the inside out and help us lead balanced, creative, and inspired lives. Sometimes we just need a little guidance and to learn how to tune out the inner critic. So, I am here to show you how incorporating art making and creativity into your daily life can bring a little more play, clarity, and balance to your world. I am here to guide you through the process and help you reconnect with your inner creative. I’m looking forward to sharing resources, information about the benefits of art making, and sharing stories from others who have found how adding a little creative practice into their daily lives has changed their mindset and brought fresh opportunities. It’s time to show that inner critic that art making is not a waste of time but an amazing investment in your health and wellness. Be safe and be well. - Janette D. M.
Today I’d like to share with you a project I am working on. Each of us has gifts to share with the world. At this point in time we feel compelled to help and give, but are uncertain of how to do this exactly. I decided I'd share my gift of art making and creativity with others to help ease stress, create connection, and build our community while also respecting the social distancing guidelines and keeping everyone safe. The Mandala Project During this time of crisis, uncertainty, and social distancing with COVID-19, one can often feel alone or disconnected. The mission behind this project is to help people feel more connected with others across the country and globe in a creative way. Each participant is asked to design a petal that will be added to the ever growing mandala design. Here's what you need to do: 1. Click on the image of the petal below to download the JPEG file you need. 2. Print & work on your design. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect! It can be whatever you want it to be and you are welcome to use what ever materials you have to decorate your petal. 3. After completing your petal design either email me a picture of it or you scan and email it back to me at MandalaProject2020@gmail.com The rest is up to me! I will then add it into the mandala design and post updates twice a week of our ever growing mandala. You will be able to see the design grow and change across various platforms including this website, Facebook, and Instagram.
In art therapy practices we often use mandalas as a form of bringing forth calm, exploring the inner world of the client, while also providing a safe and containing space in which to explore and express oneself. Creating your own or coloring in a mandala has been shown to lower blood pressure, activate the calming effects of parasympathetic nervous system. While most people are familiar with the adult coloring books which are filled with beautiful flower styled mandalas, a mandala is essentially a design within a circle and does not need to be symmetrical or perfect. If you're feeling adventurous you might want to try making your own mandala. I'm sharing a link to a video below which I found helpful at guiding you in making your very own mandala. Enjoy! Thanks for reading!
Be safe & be well. -Janette The quieter you become the more you are able to hear.” -Rumi As we continue with the world-wide pause I find my mind quieting in some ways, which has allowed me to listen closely to my inner knowing.
Some of you may have noticed my blog has shifted since the pandemic hit our country. I felt drawn to continuing to serve my audience and clients in a way that felt more authentic and in line with what we are all experiencing at this time. This shift in the content I have been sharing has led to moments of self-reflection. Like I have been telling my clients lately, it is important we take this time of pause and use it to think about where we are in life and where we want to go. Are we living in line with our values or following those of another? For me this time of self-reflection has helped me refocus on my values, both as a person and as a therapist. This time of pause has reminded me why I started my journey towards becoming a therapist and more specifically an art therapist. Taking these moments of clarity and centering into account, I have decided to shift my blog’s focus to something I am not just good at and experienced with, but something that fires me up inside. I love to help my clients find balance in their lives, confidence in their abilities, and embrace the power of their creativity in order to find unique solutions to their struggles. So, as we all navigate this season of change and growth I hope you will join me as I move into sharing more about my passion for art therapy, art as a form of healing and processing, and how to find healthy growth even in the darkest of times. Until next time. Be safe and be well. -Janette We live in a world where we don’t stop. Everything seems to scream “GO!” or “You should be productive.” So what happens to us when we are asked or rather sternly directed to “pause?”
What I find myself noticing is an increase in anxiety and negative self-talk. When we slow down this is typically when the not so kind thoughts creep into the forefront of our minds. When we begin to do fewer things it frees up space, and for some of us the space and silence can feel overwhelming. As the number of activities that keep us busy and distracted dwindle, in comes the judgment, the comparison, criticism, and worry. The once large list of coping skills is down to a handful at best and maybe they are not really your most effective ones either. This realization is true not only for adults, but for teens and young adults as well. So what are we to do with all these pounding thoughts and suddenly tremendous feelings? Well, we listen to them, get curious about their presence and then we respond. And how do we do this exactly? We might journal, meditate, or create some art as a way of acknowledging the thoughts and feelings. By taking our internal commentary and bringing it out of us, onto paper, we might then be able to get enough distance from the thoughts and feelings. This distance can then allow us to begin to get curious about where these thoughts and feelings are really coming from. Are these messages you feel coming from sources outside of you (society, family, friends, peers, coworkers, bosses, etc.) or are they something you truly believe to be true? You might ask, “What is this thought/feeling trying to tell me/warn me about/protect me from?” Then we get to make a choice about whether we want to do something about these thoughts and feelings. Do we want to take some time to better ourselves through learning a new skill, setting healthier boundaries, or making more time for self-care, just to name a few. This slow in our usual pace of life is a time to address some of the things we might have been avoiding by staying so busy all the time. Funny how things catch up with us right? This time of “Pause” is giving us a chance to self-reflect and come out the other side a little more self-aware and better equipped to handle our internal world, which is the only place where we have control. Ideas for Self-Reflection: 1. Make some art!- Grab a sheet of paper and some colors, pens, or pencils and think about what’s running through your mind. Doodle, scribble, make lines, shapes, or use color to help convey what’s happening internally. It doesn’t have to look like anything. When you’re done, what do you notice about your mind and/or body? Do things feel clearer or lighter in some way? Did you feel or realize something new? Remember this art is for you and your self-reflection, so NO JUDGEMENT! Your piece is merely a vehicle or a tool to help you better understand yourself. Art Therapy might be a great option if you find yourself drawn to art as a form of processing and healing. 2. Meditate- Take some time to do a guided meditation or breathe exercise. Allow yourself the space to sit still and listen to what’s really happening inside. Then leave whatever isn’t serving you “on the mat” as they say in yoga. Headspace is a company & app that offers tools for meditation and relaxation. They are currently offering some of their tools for free at https://www.headspace.com/covid-19 3. Speak with a mental health professional- Self-reflection can be hard, especially if you have never done something like this before. Having someone who can sit with you, listen, not judge you, and provide healthy options for moving forward can be comforting. Most therapists are offering a Telehealth option to provide services while still trying to “flatten the curve.” Websites like https://www.PsychologyToday.com offer an easy search engine to find licensed professionals in your area. Stay safe and be well. -Janette |
Janette D. MaciasMy mission is to help my clients find balance in their lives, confidence in their abilities, and embrace the power of their creativity in order to find unique solutions to their struggles. CategoriesArchives
June 2022
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The information contained in in this site is for informational purposes only and is not professional advice or a substitute for therapy. Information in this site is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a client-therapist relationship.
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