Feelings pyramid, continued...

Photo pulled from WrapAndRecoverybooks.com

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Wrapandrecoverybooks.com's article instructions for a Feelings Pyramid continued,

“Use a blank piece of white scrapbook paper

I turn on my instrumental or nature sounds music

In the center I draw a large pyramid I then try to identify the feelings I am experiencing that are most intense. The most intense is at the bottom and by the time I work my way up the pyramid I usually find that I am dealing with 5-6 emotions at the same time.

I then get out my bold markers and start coloring in the pyramid and allowing myself to really ‘feel’ that emotion and by the time I fill the space I can then release that emotion. I continue to work my way through each of the emotions allowing myself to feel and release each one.

After I have filled the pyramid, in the white space around the pyramid I draw Wellness Tools that I can use to start to heal. I use mostly simple drawings made with fine markers or sometimes pictures from old magazines or photos and fill my page with Wellness Tools. As I begin to take control of my life again by drawing choices I can take it is not uncommon for me to use a green or blue marker to interconnect the different Wellness Tools so that I can begin to feel their interconnection.

I will usually spend about one-one and a half to two hours allowing myself to honor and release these very intense feelings.

Wellness Tools I choose at these times vary: Whether it is having a cup of herbal tea as I write a letter to my daughter I lost (I have two boxes full of them), writing a poem or story, calling a supporter, calling the pastor who runs our grief group, leaving the house to have comfort food or soup, or just going for a walk through the Five Senses Garden with my husband I end up feeling more connected afterwards and less anxiety about the next steps towards reclaiming my wellness.”

When we’re feeling down we need to jump into this trench surrender to the feelings and work through them. We must decide enough is enough and take control by processing our feelings and then make an effort to express them as healthy as possible. Creative expression such as that offered through the Feelings Pyramid is a way to do this.

To be human is to feel. We have to face our emotions in order to process them. But, we also have to dive into them to understand the source of our feelings. This self-awareness can keep us from self-sabotaging our efforts. Remember your mind triggers your emotions; positive thinking can help you to gain control of your feelings. This doesn’t mean you will not be presented with sorrow but it does mean your outlook, during any hardship, will shine light into the darkness; positive thinking shifts the energy by honoring the space and by minimizes the negative impact!    

Reverse any negative value, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC Reverse Value Drawing

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I love this project. A reverse value drawing forces the artist to think in an opposite perspective; to challenge rules and normal beliefs. We are so used to drawing in the dark shades and adding hues to a light backdrop creating from an opposite space forces the mind to bend. It requires us to step outside of the box and, perhaps to work with a discomfort or fear. It is much like life; we spend at least half of our lives in the darkness; physically at night and many times philosophically.

My reverse value drawing is of a sunset. It took me about 1 hour to create and as you can see the drawing is quite simple although it pops out of the space nicely. It took some time for me to get used to this and it will probably take you some time too. If you’re thinking about challenging yourself with this stimulating project, look for black and white photos to draw from, it makes it a bit easier.

All you need is black paper and a white crayon, colored pencil or piece of chalk; any or all will work. If you Google black and white images, you’ll get a lot of ideas for drawings or perhaps you have your own photo to utilize like I did when I drew the sunset.

If I’ve enticed you to do this project, leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out. I am curious!

Triggers, continued

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

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I am really amazed by the work of an art therapist and I can’t wait until I’m out in the field doing this work. Art has been medicine for me since as far back as I can remember. I love to mentor and help people so I feel like I will finally be fulfilling my soul work although I’m embarking on this adventure a bit late in my life. It took me until my early forties to finally gather enough courage to change career choices. The artist in me has been aching to get out!

I’m hopeful to get accepted into a doctorate program for Art Therapy once I finish my Master’s in mental health counseling. I still have a long road ahead of me but because I am really interested and passionate about it, it is actually going by faster than I would have thought. I am learning that there really is something in the journey. If I don’t look at it this way, it would be torturous since the destination is still very far on the horizon.

I can’t wait to be able to look at someone’s drawing and be able to get some insight about the person’s psyche that drew it. It is crazy that there is really rhyme or reason to this type of interpretation. As I learn about it, I’ll share it with you.

Hopefully you’ll gain some insight that may benefit you somewhere in your life!

Does creativity have a place in your life right now? I bet you, even if you don’t believe it does, if we talked I could prove to you that you are creative. What do you think?

Expression in recovery, continued...

Lifetime Art Impressions, LLC photo

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I recently signed up for classes to obtain a professional certificate for Expressive Arts Trauma Therapy. It is something I am required to have, besides my Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, in order to move into the doctorate program for Art Therapy. I truly believe in the healing power of creativity. Anytime I am suffering and I honor my pain through an art project, I learn and grow.

Yes, I did say “honor my pain” and this may sound odd to you but, like you I don’t thrive on or ask for pain, but when it is present, I try not to avoid it. I confront it by asking it what am I supposed to learn from it. I honor the experience through creative venues such as writing about it, creating photo opts from it or allowing my feelings to flow into a drawing or poem; any creative endeavor is soothing for me. I love that I'm learning more about this venue through in obtaining my professional certificate. 

My newest class is already very insightful. I’ll continue to share as I am empowered with more information!

What are your thoughts about art therapy? Leave me a note, I’m curious.