There will always be hard things in life, and our brains are so good at pointing them out. There will also always be beauty and sources of strength and support. Practicing noticing and savouring the good can help improve our quality of life and make us more resilient to the harder times.
Art therapy can encourage mindful connection to the senses and how positive emotions feel in the body: which colours and textures feel best to you? Which collage images elicit a spark of joy or curiosity?
Art therapy can focus on subjects and imagery that remind you of what's beautiful, meaningful or sources of resilience. For instance, using photography to capture "glimmers" (the opposite of triggers) or making a "tree of life" that includes the roots of your ancestors and the people from whom you draw strength, the trunk of your values that helps you to stand tall, and the fruits or gifts you have to offer the world.
Making art can be pleasurable and help tap into a sense of flow and meaning-making.
Art therapy can encourage mindful connection to the senses and how positive emotions feel in the body: which colours and textures feel best to you? Which collage images elicit a spark of joy or curiosity?
Art therapy can focus on subjects and imagery that remind you of what's beautiful, meaningful or sources of resilience. For instance, using photography to capture "glimmers" (the opposite of triggers) or making a "tree of life" that includes the roots of your ancestors and the people from whom you draw strength, the trunk of your values that helps you to stand tall, and the fruits or gifts you have to offer the world.
Making art can be pleasurable and help tap into a sense of flow and meaning-making.