The creative journey has been a healing one for me. My life has conspired to reconnect me with my creative genes through a health challenge. It forced me to stop and discover ways to heal. At various times, all I could do was write or when I was better, to make things with my hands. It was the act of creating and making that started my healing journey.  

​One of the best things I did for myself was to explore the inner landscape of my mind, it's also one of the hardest things I've had to do. As a perfectionist, I found it hard to let go, to play, to try things, to make a mess and fail. I worried about wasting time and resources and yet, the creative process calls for complete surrender and making things that sometimes work and sometimes don't. Creative experimentation is how we learn and how in the end, we make beautiful and inspiring things. No one is born knowing how to do anything. We learn by trying, practicing and exploring. While good food, rest and meditation all help our physical recovery, it is passion and interests, that help us really create change, help us heal and live more joyfully.

Ways I create good in my world and the world of others

Wisdom Creates

My greatest gift was giving myself permission to explore my creativity. I've tried in drawing, print making, crochet and sewing. I love the meditative and revealing nature of creativity. Creative pursuits can be a soothing remedy for anyone suffering from anxiety and/or depression.

Creativity has positive side effects. For example, I use my sewing skills to help the environment by making reusable shopping bags and quilts for sick children, using bright colours and designs to bring joy to the recipient.

​The creative act of writing and journaling is also healing. It can unlock hidden beliefs and becomes a great record of our journey and progress.

Creativity isn't just about paints and pencils. It's expressed in a beautiful meal, creating a garden, or repainting an old pot and growing flowers. It can be as simple or complex as you like. 

For perfectionists, pursuing their creative passions, in spite of the critics, is one way to achieve freedom from old, negative thoughts and to start living an authentic life.

I write about creativity and especially the blocks we encounter like perfectionism on my blog here.

Wisdom Cares

Helping others helped me improve my health. Despite feeling unwell, by doing something achievable, like writing a blog to help others on a similar journey, I stopped focussing on myself and realised I could still achieve something useful and contribute to others.

Having worked in communications, as a counsellor and in pastoral care, I've learnt that there are times when we need support with life's challenges. 

To this end, I write blogs and features on how to find wisdom and opportunities for growth in difficult situations. Challenges can help us learn new skills like resilience. When we're better armed, we can face our future with skills that help us move forward. 

If you are struggling right now, seek the help of an experienced counsellor. I also encourage journal writing because it can help us discover our own wisdom and answers.

Meditation, Contemplative Prayer,  mindfulness, time in nature and engaging in creative pursuits are  also healing and calming, especially for anyone suffering with anxiety and depression.

I share more of my own experiences with various techniques on my blog here.