Grief and Creativity 7 Connections
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Grief and Creativity 7 Connections
It’s been seven weeks since my mom died and three since my brother-in-law had an epileptic seizure that killed him. I try to feel all the feels; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Some moments are rougher than others and swamp me with sudden emotion or drown me in weighty water. “Carry on,” I hear my mother say.
I try to be gentle with myself; sleeping when I need to sleep, working when I need to work, and wandering barefoot when I need to ground myself. I’ve canceled many summer dates, and instead, have found myself writing more often in my journal. I’ve leaned heavily into my connection with nature and spirituality, hopefully seeding my creativity. It takes trust, but I believe in the spiritual masters and my teachers who say it is so.
Instead of getting dragged down and falling into negativity, I try to focus on the positive aspects grief can bring. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it helps.
Below are seven ways in which creativity and grief can connect.
Connection and Release: Grief often brings reluctant engagement but by embracing the support of others, one can open and release.
Expression: Creativity provides an outlet for expressing feelings through art, music, writing, or other creative endeavors. Whatever the expression is, it can offer therapeutic healing.
Distraction: Sometimes, all we need is a good distraction to escape from the grief. What a better way to do it than to focus on a creative project?
Legacy: Honor a loved one’s memory by unlocking a creative pursuit.
Exploration: Grief often leads people to reevaluate life and their place in the world. Creativity can be a means of exploring and/or redefining oneself in the aftermath of loss.
Nap: Recharging oneself by sleeping and resting offers the space to grow. When the brain slows down, the seeds of creativity can take off.
Transformation and Personal Growth: Through creative expression, we may discover new aspects of ourselves, develop new skills, or find new passions. Grief can be a catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
If you find yourself in a puddle of sadness, I am truly sorry. It’s hard. Take care of yourself. And as you begin to emerge, consider tapping into your creativity. I have faith it will help.
Quotes to Remember
Link on the blue button below for resources pertaining to grief.
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Thanks for reading. Creativity is not a command performance, but I hope you’ll stay and become inspired. If you know someone interested in creative endeavors, please forward this on!
Yours in spirited creativity,