Topic Tuesday//BOTH FORUMS// Creative expression and our wellbeing! // Tues 28 July 7- 8 30pm AEST featuring Special Guest Artist from the DAX Cen

[Renegade]

I think that the greatest challenge we all have to giving creative expression to the spirit is getting over the critical mind that judges, wants to do things well and doesn’t want to fail.

How many times have you heard your mind and body shrink away with fear/anxiety from the opportunity to be creative because of these expectations that we have to be ‘good’ and skilful?

When we can get to a place in a life when we can appreciate ourselves as utterly unique, fallible and forever learning, do we then give ourselves the freedom to turn off the critical mind that inhibits you from being you, as you are, to create something deeply personal.

We as humans, who got this far in evolution by creating, learning by experimentation and curiosity, must know that none of us became good at anything without trial and error and practice. You see babies learning this way.

There is nothing more beautiful than someone just being their self in creation, but it takes suspending judgement and witnessing with a loving gaze to see it.

[Former-Member]

That sounds interesting Judyi9877, stitching 'anything on blank fabric' - I've not thought of that but do love altering my clothes, mending and quilting and crocheting. But a simple needle and cotton in hand calms me so much. Think I know what you mean 💙

[Shaz51]

very true @Former-Member , about the garden 

we have put in some plants in our gardens , i am happy to say 

@Former-Member 

some of the challenges I have found is finding it hard to restart things that I used to be able to do like Jigsaw puzzles 

or to know how to start 

@Faith-and-Hope 

[Judi9877]

Hi @Maggie  I agree with you with frustration. Sometimes that can really dampen my mood when something doesn't work out. I also find that my own judgement can cause me challenges with being creative in that I start to doubt or question myself if what I'm doing is any good, etc. 

[Former-Member]

@Maggie me too! 

I sometimes find myself procrastinate and not start this process. For example, thinking about all the paints, brushes, and canvas I need to paint sometimes put me off from starting. Or worrying about how it will look too! 

Though one thing I've realised from tonight's conversation is that I should just do it and not think so much about the end product! 😀 

[paintingallday]

Some challenges for me are.. self-limiting beliefs. Imposter syndrome. Comparing myself to others.

I think it’s natural in a way for these to come up, but I’ve worked on recognising them and recognising that they don’t serve me in any way. I recognise how benficial creating and art-making is for me, regardless of anyone else’s opinion or thoughts! So I claim it as something I do for me, and that releases me from these barriers to creating.

Also just getting started in many ways is actually the hardest part! So once you start, you’ve already overcome that, and from there it’s like anything you do, you learn more, discover more.. allowing yourself space to play with creating.. I used to think art was only about being ‘good’.. but what is ‘good’? Art is so subjective! I only painted and drew figuratively and wasn’t that excited by it, but that’s what I thought ‘art’ was. Then one day I discovered abstract art and was IN LOVE!

Keep trying new things, allow that for yourself, discover what it is that feels good for you

[Renegade]

@Shaz51 I find that just taking one step in the starting and then allowing the next and next step is a useful way to get going.

[paintingallday]

@Renegade "How many times have you heard your mind and body shrink away with fear/anxiety from the opportunity to be creative because of these expectations that we have to be ‘good’ and skilful?" so well said :ok_hand:

[Renegade]

@Maggie@Judi9877I can feeling frustrated too, particularly when I've spent ages making something and it doesn't work out...

[Former-Member]

I have thousands of funnies on my phone, none of which I have made myself; I use them to encourage others or bring a smile to them.  

As I have rarely come up with a pun that I have not been able to find online, but making my own memes /funnies would be a form of creativity.