Over the last five years, art and creativity have become a refuge for me—giving me space to escape the noise and chaos of daily life and connect with something deeper. One of the most common reasons I make art is that it serves as a mindfulness practice. When I sit down to paint or draw, my mind begins to settle, and the constant stream of mental chatter fades into the background. As I focus on the creative process, my mind processes conversations, events, and emotions while my hands create. This is particularly important after a day in clinic to let go of the sometimes disturbing stories told to me by clients.
Another benefit of creating art is that it stops me from doom scrolling. Like many people, I can spend my downtime scrolling through my phone or iPad, getting caught up in the vortex of social media, or down various rabbit holes on YouTube. It’s easy to become consumed by it, but I’ve found that when I pick up a pen or paintbrush, I disconnect from that cycle. Art pulls me away from the overstimulation of the digital world, and helps me to be calm and anchored in the present.
Being creative has helped me develop a sense of courage that extends beyond the canvas and into my everyday life. Through art, I’ve learned to embrace mistakes, push through discomfort, and take risks—qualities that have translated into how I approach challenges in business and life. Each time I face a blank page or an unfamiliar medium, I’m reminded that stepping into the unknown can lead to growth. This courage has empowered me to take bolder steps in life, trust my instincts, and embrace uncertainty with a sense of curiosity rather than fear.
A surprising outcome from embarking on this creative journey is that art has helped me understand and accept myself. It’s a window into my own soul, revealing where I am on my life journey. Sometimes, I look at a finished piece and realise that it reflects an emotion or a phase of life that makes sense to me. Art gives me a way to explore my inner landscape without judgment, accepting the marks and colour choices as part of a larger story I’m telling about myself.
Another beautiful discovery that’s both mysterious and profound is that my art often reveals insights from my unconscious mind. When I paint, I’m not always fully aware of what will emerge on the page or canvas. But as the piece comes together, there are moments when I step back and see a very clear message. Sometimes it’s a hint about the next step I need to take in life, other times it’s a profound truth about myself or the world. It’s as if my unconscious mind is speaking through the art, guiding me in ways I can’t articulate but deeply understand.
In all these ways, art has become more than just a creative outlet for me—it’s a practice of mindfulness, exploration, and discovery.
If you have a curiosity or desire to learn how to draw, paint or create but don’t know where to start, I am offering a 10 week ‘Art for Absolute Beginners’ mixed media course starting in October 2024. We will start with basic skills and techniques that you can build on to start making your own art from scratch.
Email helen@enlightenme.co.nz or click on the link https://enlightenme.as.me/CreativeConspiracy to register.
