Art has become the most healing thing in my life, and thus I believe everyone should participate in some form of art in one way or another as much as possible. Anyone who does not think they are creating art has too rigid a definition for what art is.

Upon hearing the word “art” the first images that come to mind (and image search) are of drawings, paintings and museums. There is no denying that these things are art. That is the type of art you will learn about if you ever take a studio art or art history class. These forms of art can be healing to perform. If sitting down to a canvas and painting your truth calms you inside, do that every day. Paint can get expensive though, so maybe also take up doodling to save on paint.

I have no time to debate what is and isn’t art. That is a discussion that can last forever and always contains the phrase “everything is art!” at least twice. I do not know how each individual creates art, so here is the definition for how I personally create art, take from it as you will. My art comes from routines that calm, and feelings that disrupt.

That may be too general for some, but for me it means very specific things. It mean the way I make my peanut butter and jelly sandwich by spreading peanut butter on one slice of bread then cubing the jelly in its little plastic package and laying it out on a grid atop the peanut butter, placing the second slice of bread on top and cutting it into triangles, is art. Routines that calm.

It means my doodle journal, filled with pages upon pages of little poems and words inside pen drawings is my art. Because those stem from feelings that disrupt my routines and make me think. They will never be hung in a museum, I like some of the doodle poems more than I like others, but I love them all.

There are a few key things you must remember if you are using your art to heal and deal. The first already having been covered, find your definitions of art and do not let anyone contradict it with their opinion. The second is to not be worried about clichés.

If the main concern you have with your art is that it is original, you will never create any. There will always be something that sort of resembles what you are doing, either in process, thought, or outcome. Don’t let that stop you! If it makes you happy, if it is your art, own it. The way this can stop people in their artistic tracks is why I disdain the idea of being “basic”.

The third thing to keep in mind if you are using your art to heal and deal, is that creating a safe space to perform your art is important. Perhaps discomfort is part of your art, but there must be some security within it for it to heal you. This safe space can be within you as a feeling, a physical spot where you do art, or the material that you use to perform your art. For me it is my journal, it doesn’t matter where I am physically, all the art I put into my journal is with confidence because I know that it is where it is supposed to be.

Happy art making! May your creativity heal and grow you!