Art as a Tool for Healing

Licensed image, illustrations by Liz Bullen

When we journal, what we write about is the product of the questions that we are asking ourselves. ‘What did I do today? What’s going on with me lately? What thoughts, feelings, and experiences are sitting in me?' What we chose to reflect on can help us better identify what we care about, what's bothering us, what we're proud of, and what we imagine for ourselves. In this way, the act of journaling helps us gain in self-awareness - meaning, the act of recounting our days helps us know our own selves better in a meaningful way. 

Journaling also serves as an outlet for spill over emotions that might not have place in the outside world. This can be big emotions, but not necessarily. It can also serve to manage the daily ebb and flow of our emotional lives generally.

Illustrations by Liz Bullen.

Journaling helps us tend to our inner spirit, our immaterial selves - that inner essence and energy, the inner flicker of light that is our humanity. Our inner truths, as well. The spirit that is defined by the natural laws of the body and the mind, that may or may not be in convenient harmony with the human laws of the time and cultures of our outer environments, but are the laws that define our uniquely lived psychic experiences. As such, journaling helps us get closer to that which is beautiful in us because it is truth that lives within us.

In the words of Bauhaus painter Wassily Kandinsky in his publication, 'Concerning the Spiritual in Art':

“
… EVERYTHING WHICH ADEQUATELY EXPRESSES THE INNER NEED IS BEAUTIFUL
”

And creative practice is a powerful conduit by which to outlet, process, and celebrate it.

Knowing ourselves better helps us refine our personal navigation in life. We can more clearly pursue what we like, are aware of and can address what's causing us anxiety, be more clear in our values, and roadmap our own roads to success, and on our terms. Reflecting on the world creatively opens for us a portal through which to process our emotions, become more aware of our inner lives, and reflect on our values, identities, goals, and societies.

Liz feeling stressed about a tough day 🙄

Art is an expressive medium available to everyone - and there are many different ways to explore and express your vibrant inner life!

Develop your own practice with the Lyfecoin app, and take your practice further with the in-app Habit Series, “Creative Journaling”, where you will discover video content and interactive tools and activities that explore how journaling may inspire our health and happiness, and how you can harness the powers of reflective practice to gain deeper awareness of your inner self, develop greater self-expression, manage spill-over emotions, and serve as a sanctuary for your thoughts and feelings when what we carry is heavy because it is forbidden.

You will also discover some creative ways to use the Lyfecoin journal, and how to use the platform’s suite of tools to turn journaling into a habit. Plus, earn coins for learning! Why wait?! Click the button below to sign up.

Sources: Kandinsky, Wassily. Concerning the Spiritual in Art. Dover Publications, 1977.