ART FOR EMOTION  |  BLOG

When dealing with undiagnosed chronic mental or physical illness, waiting for answers can lead to feeling like a ghost in purgatory. After months or years of appointments, tests, procedures, and treatments  - eventually we may find some relief from the unknown. But what happens when the answers lead to more questions, and there is no cure? Suddenly we’re left to fight a battle we didn’t sign up for, and wondering how we can possibly be expected to “fix” ourselves.

The ability to dream and the contents of one’s dreams have been speculated upon and analyzed for centuries. While ancient times provided a spiritual context for dream interpretation, there are also psychological explanations for why we dream the things we do.

Art can be a powerful resource for people struggling with Anxious Attachment Style or anxious behaviors. It provides a non-verbal means of communication that can be appropriate for those who struggle with emotional regulation or maintaining boundaries. By analyzing the subject, color, shapes, and symbolism utilized in their artwork, anxious attachers can better identify and regulate their own emotions and behaviors.

Insecure attachment is a response shaped by life experiences that make trust, safety, and vulnerability feel risky. It can make forming meaningful relationships and feeling a sense of security in social situations very difficult. However, insecure attachment can be healed over time with self-awareness, compassion, and support. Educating oneself on the different attachment styles, appropriate responses, and behavior redirection methods is the first step toward healing. After r

Art can be a powerful resource for people struggling with Avoidant Attachment Style or avoidant behaviors. It provides a non-verbal means of communication that can be appropriate for those who struggle with identifying or expressing emotion. By analyzing the subject, color, shapes, and symbolism utilized in their artwork, avoidant attachers can better understand their own emotions and begin to regulate them.

The holidays can bring up feelings of stress and overwhelm, especially when combined with challenging family dynamics or high expectations. Fortunately, we can choose to let go of things outside of our control and prioritize healing. We don’t have to carry negative emotions or memories into the present. Choosing to move forward from a place of empathy, forgiveness, and understanding allows us to heal.

When you ignore grief, it doesn’t go away. Your body and your subconscious hold onto it. It piles onto itself - until, eventually, it can’t be contained anymore.

“I was working so hard, and doing so much overtime, that I was working 60 hours a week. It ultimately made my health go down the drain. I was getting 3 hours of sleep; I was exhausted all the time. Suddenly I ended up in the hospital."

Some days it's difficult to function at all, much less spend hours on some "perfect routine" that's supposedly going to cure you. Sometimes, it's as simple as remembering to brush your teeth or spend 10 minutes away from your bed. And that's okay. With that in mind, I've created a list of 88 self-care tips and activities for varying energy levels. Whether today is a low or high-functioning day, if you need a little pick-me-up this list is for you.

Art Brut (also known as Raw Art or Outsider Art) was coined by Jean DeBuffet in the 1940's. Art Brut is a type of art completed by people...