BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Creativity How grief and trauma affect our creativity

I think the creative process itself opens us up to emotions and sensitivities that we may not always feel. I know I started showing and sharing a lot more emotion - both happiness and sadness - when I started writing and painting. It was suddenly so much harder to bottle those feelings in than it used to be. I think that's a good thing.

One part of living is opening your heart to others. When those people leave us - either through the end of a relationship or death - it can be tough to move on, to try and heal the gap without sealing it completely to new experiences. Even the loss of a pet or a change in address can have a profound effect on us. And anything that affects our emotions is bound to affect our creativity. Some people have the ability to use what happens to them to create beautiful works of art or literature, and to heal through that process. Others are more likely to shut down for a while and deal with the pain internally.�

This week's article looks at some ideas for getting through this difficult period.

How have some of the more difficult experiences in your life affected your creative expression? Have you been able to use it in any way?

What timing Elle! I'm not going through the loss of someone, but our family is going through a major trauma right now; and it is almost impossible to think straight.

I keep heading to the computer with the intention of writing a story, I'll get started, and then realize that I've been staring at the screen for about ten minutes without doing anything. At first I thought that the writing would help take my mind off of it, but now I'm beginning to think I might need to face it head-on first. THEN try to distract myself.

And of course, thanks to the gastric bypass, my old way of coping- binging on chocolate and carbs, is definitely out! LOL <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I'm sorry that your family is going through tough times right now Michelle--I'll put you and your family in my prayers.

Last summer when my grandmother was beginning to leave us I began writing down everything that happened every day, a sort of journal ode to her, but after she died it was extrememly hard to write-- just like Michelle said. I knew that I would have to wait until I processed everything and it took a couple of months to begin writing again but I also picked up a new passion in the process--drawing and painting. Once I began thinking creatively again I was then able to use art as an added way to express my feeling, so it was good.

I'm sorry too Michelle. I hope you can all come through this stronger and with peace. I know you've taken big steps to start getting yourself healthier - keep focused on that, step by step. You are strong and capable.

It can help to let your mind wander and mull over your experience while your hands are doing something else to keep yourself feeling busy.

Instead of trying to write, how about just letting yourself doodle, or grab a paintbrush and just make abstract lines and blocks of colour. Make an "angry" painting if you wish. Another favourite of mine is sanding down an old table or the back fence and repainting it. There's something very soothing in a rhythmic motion like that. Even ironing can work!

I found these links this morning - Poet Gregory Orr describes his belief that the process of transcribing an experience into rhythmical words gives us control over its meaning. As a child, Orr was responsible for the accidental death of his brother.

And Isable Allende learnt from her dying daughter that what you could give others was your most important asset.

I have grieved in the past over several major traumas in my life...grief so heart-wrenching at times that I felt like I was in a never-ending black hole and couldn't breath. I turned to my poetry writing and journaling, along with Bible reading and prayer to get through. Those things saved me from the sadness in a way. I couldn't however, create my art during those times. Funny how one of my creative processes shut down but the other blossomed.

Sharon

Welcome Sharon. I'm glad your creativity was able to help you through the grieving process.

Thanks for the welcome Elle. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sharon

I used to write poetry. After my sweetheart left me, my poetry has also left me. I tried many times, but I can not write poetry any more.

I'm sorry to hear that cdmohatta. Unfortunately that's all too often the case with creativity. Have you tried a different art form? Something visual, like photography or drawing or a collage, can help to take your mind off it.

I am trying designs on the Internet. I guide my children design ecards, screensavers etc. Now they do lot of it on there own. I have a problem which I am not able to handle despite long medication. The sadness of my sepearation
overpowers me anytime and then I begin crying. thank you for asking. But my sons are doing good work and I am happy with the results.