Written by Maisie Barlow
“Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees.” – Marcel Proust
For millennia, we have been using our creativity to advance and develop, to shape and mould the world that we live in. From ancient Egypt and the hieroglyphs on walls to the graffiti in a 21st-century bathroom stall, we have found ways to express ourselves. In the context of an ever-changing landscape, expression pin points moments for us, acting as an anchor or punctuation mark amongst the constant flow of life.
When we think of the arts today, it’s hard not to fall down the rabbit hole of the monetary value one might accrue from the expression of one’s creativity. As a trainee Integrative Arts Psychotherapist and a multi-disciplinary artist, I’m not so concerned with this but more so in the value that can be gained in the act of expression and reflection itself and how we might use the arts to navigate challenging times – and in this particular instance, as an expression of grief.
Embracing the Value of Expression
There are so many things we are constantly told about how to be, how to spend our time, and where to spend our money. This blog is written with the intention of giving you the space and time to think a little bit about how you can tune into yourself, slow down, and give yourself permission to tap into your innate creativity. (Which I believe, without a doubt, exists in every human being to walk this planet!)
The Variety of Creativity
The way in which we experience the world differs from person to person. It is made up of millions of tiny moments that influence, shape, and mould the outcomes of each progressive second. It has been said that artists capture something of their experience and allow others to experience for a moment, what it might be like to walk in their shoes. We are transported into not only being with another but seeing the world from their eyes, through music, poetry, art, or an Instagram reel. Through reading these words, you, the reader, are jumping into my mind for a few moments as it meets your own understanding of life. It is no surprise then when working with people that are going through difficult moments in life, the arts can be a useful tool in understanding what is going on for them.
The Arts as a Bridge
The arts (and this blog) therefore act as a third prong to a relationship. Relationships are full of complexities and often in difficult times it is hard to find the words to articulate exactly how we are feeling. Losing someone or something can bring with it a muting of language, a gap where positive feeling was and difficulties in expressing. Using the arts to bridge this gap can be a powerful way to understand another, by looking for clues in what someone is able to say.
We often talk in metaphors, ‘the pit of my stomach’, my offer is to notice when these come up in conversation, especially when grappling with difficult emotions. Focus on your breath and the bodily sensations that arise. Ask yourself, how might I describe how I’m feeling if it had a shape, colour, texture, how about if it were a landscape or an animal? If this is the pit of something what does that space look like, is it light? Dark? Lush with vegetation or barren and empty like a canyon?
Bearing Witness to Human Experience
Something important about the work that I do is about bearing witness to another person’s humanness, be it in suffering, joy, or celebration. Living in a society that is now opening its eyes to the vast ways in which we can express our inner world in an outer more digital landscape is an exciting time to be alive, and yet, I am often presented with the sentence, “But I’m not creative.”
If you are feeling stuck, consider this simple exercise: place three dots of paint in a triangle on a piece of paper. Start simply with the primary colours—one red, one blue, and one yellow. What comes next is up to you. Allow yourself to move the paint around the paper in whatever direction you choose. There is no right or wrong! In doing this, you are not only creating but also tapping into what’s might be existing just below the surface for you, in your unconscious mind. This process can offer great insights into our lives, the changes we are experiencing, our relationships, and our thought patterns, often by doing very little work. A few marks on a paper can become significant as we share what they mean to us with another.
Encouraging Creativity in Everyone
Remember, creativity is not confined to traditional forms of art. It can be found in everyday activities like cooking, gardening, problem-solving, and even the way we communicate with others. Embracing your creativity can lead to profound personal insights and a deeper connection with the world around you. Next time you are out and about notice the patterns in the leaves around you, or on your commute, take out the headphones and tune in to all of the sounds that you can hear, the thrum of the train the chorus of slow breathing of those around you.
Granting the Permission for Exploration
So, as you navigate through your daily life, give yourself permission to explore your creative side. Whether it’s through painting, writing, music, or any other form of expression, allow yourself the freedom to create and reflect. By doing so, you not only enrich your own life but also open a window into understanding the experiences of others. Through art, we can truly emerge from ourselves and walk alongside one another as we tap into how another person sees the world around us.
About the author
Maisie is a poet, coach and multidisciplinary artist alongside studying to become an Integrative Arts Psychotherapist. She has worked across multiple industries, including the start-up sector and as an actress. She now works with individuals and organisations using the arts to deepen their understanding of self and other.
