Stepping Away or Leaning In...
Art Heals Hearts
Art helps us heal by offering an emotional outlet when we’re coping with pain and fear. Humans can’t avoid experiencing some type of adversity, tragedy, and grief in the course of a lifetime. Though some will experience more difficult circumstances than others, we all go through trying times. We all need some form of healing across our lifetime.
Art can serve as a distraction from whatever pain we’re experiencing. Making art, or immersing yourself in art made by others, can help manage emotional responses and reduce physical sensations related to pain and fear by turning our mind to something else. We might listen to music, read a book, or watch a play, for example, to give ourselves respite from deeply troubling circumstances.
Distraction is a valid response to pain and fear. It’s a protective function and it can be helpful to step away from our problems temporarily to rest our mind, body, and soul. The feelings will be waiting when you’re ready to tend to them in a more direct way.
Art can offer us that more direct opportunity to heal by giving us permission to lean into our feelings. We can break an experience down into manageable chunks by creating or seeking out pieces that reflect our feelings about the situation we’re trying to process. Making art provides the possibility of pouring your feelings into a creation and as you move the feelings out of your body into the artwork, relief can be powerful. When others find your art and connect with it, offering validation and reassurance about your experience. Finding art made by others that touches you deeply during your most troubled times can help you know that someone else feels deeply, too. Art can help you find your way through darkness to light.
When we move our feelings out with talk, tears, laughter, and art, we gain the relief of sharing. We’re no longer carrying the burden alone. We also have an opportunity to reflect and consider the situation from a different perspective. When our feelings and thoughts are swirling in our mind and heart, it’s hard to make sense of it or see things any other way. When we make art, our subconscious may be at work to raise something to our consciousness, allowing us to think about the situation differently.
Art heals hearts.
New Release July 14, 2025!
Heart Work: The Transformative Power of Story and Song: 28 Prompts to Write to Heal
If you’re interested in exploring your story through therapeutic writing and songwriting, my latest book is out! Available now on Kindle and coming this week as a paperback, you’ll find this companion guide to my memoir offers gentle invitations and practical ideas that will help you examine your story, whether you want to keep your writing for yourself, to share it with family and friends, or with the whole world.
Raise Her Voice
July 22, 205 at The Dome on Fifth Wind Farm
Join me for this women-centric open mic as we celebrate femme performers of music, spoken word, poetry and prose in this cozy listening room in the rolling hills of Northumberland County. Pay-what-you-can ($5 suggested).
Image: Heart Work, acrylic on birch by Ron Hawkins