Combat worry with creativity

What has creativity got to do with worry? If I have all these problems, how can anything possibly get better because I draw a picture, do some gardening or make a cake? How can sticking and colouring, making jewellery or doing a sculpture help me feel better? Surely I need to do less, not more?

Those are all logical responses to the suggestion that we might be able to alleviate worry, or lessen the pain we experience in a crisis or when suffering a loss, by doing something creative. And a year or so ago, I would certainly have entertained those thoughts. Not any more though.

First of all, in the process of doing something creative, we can meet ourselves. If we are chronic over-thinkers, logical, problem-solvers, the chances are that we have misplaced that part of ourselves that plays, that loses sense of time and place because we are so absorbed in what we are making. It’s a pity if we are so grown up that we can no longer find that creative, child-like, mystical part of ourselves. The good news is, that part is still there, and we can find it by going back to a long lost hobby, picking up the embroidery or woodwork we used to love, or trying something new – anything – until we find the activity that really absorbs our attention.

Then, there is healing. Read Donna Carter’s moving blog about losing her dog and finding solace in her – quite incredible I must say – beautiful craft. When we know where we can find our child-like, creative self, we have a way to nurture and soothe ourselves that we can turn to whenever we need it, and also whenever we want to!

And one of my favourite reasons to be creative is to zap perfectionism. Art and perfectionism just don’t go together, as there are no right and wrong answers, just your creation. If we want something near-perfect, we might as well design on a computer and build with a machine, but if we want real, moving, personal art, we want it to be created by a person, or a group of people, and perfection won’t come into it.

The one creative process that I have never let go of is writing. But for a long time, I was very critical of everything I wrote, and I would read other people’s work and think, ‘I can’t write like her/him.’ The moment I realised that they couldn’t write like me, either, and that I am unique in everything I create, I started to let go of that perfectionist impulse and look for the authentic me in my writing, my voice, my message.

And when I really want to heal, soothe and find myself, ok, I may write, especially if I have feelings that need to be articulated, but my real escape is baking. I’m not a brilliant cook and I don’t have a huge repertoire, but I do make a really good lemon meringue pie, and have a little collection of cakes, cookies and other recipes that I do over and over, often according to what the Teenager has expressed a preference for. The one pictured is chicken and sweetcorn and I am overdue to make another! As soon as I start, I am in my own world, measuring, chopping, greasing, mixing and whisking. I leave rush and pressure behind; baking has its own timing, can’t be rushed and won’t be hurried. At the end of it, I (usually!) have an edible creation. This has its pros and cons. It’s a good thing that I don’t have to clutter up the house with what I make, because it all gets devoured, but not always a great thing for my waistline if there is a pie in the fridge, and I always have to try at least one piece!

I don’t consider myself an expert on being creative, but I am lucky to know some amazing women who really do know what they are talking about. My first inspiration was Tracy Shave, and then I discovered the work that Donna Carter and Jani Franck are doing. Have a look at their homes on the internet and learn more about how being creative can nourish your life. They are all incredibly generous in contributing ideas and information to help you find your creative self – have a look at the blogs, videos and downloads and get inspired!

What works for you when you need to nurture yourself with creativity? Do you have a regular hobby or do you like to try different things? And how does it help? I’d love to know. And please sign up to my newsletter (link below) to keep in touch with me and the wonderful writers and artists who inspire me. It only takes a moment to sign up and it makes me soooo happy to get new subscribers!