The Power of Writing and Other Arts

Writing without restraints is similar to free falling. The way you strain your thoughts to the brink of insanity and then let go. It will go its own way.

Similarly, you expect to make it through the flight. And yet, you know that no matter what happens, no matter what happens, you'll have been to places you've never visited before.

I've frequently heard that in order to grow as a writer, you must have no shame. Or, better yet, you should show everything you have, especially the most vulnerable parts of your body. That is something I have attempted. But I'm not sure. Mostly, I'm beginning to believe that what we need to put on a show isn't always (though it would help) the content of our innermost ideas, but rather their form.

But it's nothing new. It's the "writing voice."

Now, depending on where you are in the world, you may be experiencing or exiting a lockdown right now. We are lockdown champs in Victoria, Australia. Yes, champions of the world, we have had the longest lockdown of any country on the planet!

2020 was arguably the year of indoor creativity. People all across the world began learning how to make sourdough, bake cakes, sing, dance, and paint by number through online lessons... Yes, plus a bunch of other stuff.  I started writing here during a lockdown, so there's that.

If this proves anything, it is that it is possible to create art at home. It becomes much more feasible when we have complete control over when and where we do it. So, now is the time to go get those guitar lessons you've been meaning to take.

Creativity, and the creative arts in particular, have been found to offer people with a feeling of deeper learning and meaning-making. Furthermore, it aids in the regulation of our emotions.

Emotional regulation is the process by which humans manage their emotions when they arise, as well as how emotions are experienced and interpreted, and how they are expressed. And the arts may help us get a better understanding of our emotions while also supporting us in managing them.

As I already stated, I deal with my depression by listening to sad music. But, of course, I also paint and write to unwind.

So, what are we going to do with this data?

Is there anything in particular that you've always wanted to do? Or are you doing fewer things? So, maybe it's time to start over, or start all over again. Consider this the sign you've been looking for.

If you already employ your creativity, keep doing what you're doing!

If you need any help, just search for some free classes of anything on YouTube. I'm serious, you can really learn a bunch of great stuff that way. Here are some of my favourite videos:

One for the musicians.

One because it's Christmas soon.

One for the visuals.

Sources:

Frontiers | The Role of Artistic Creative Activities in Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia | Psychology (frontiersin.org)

How do artistic creative activities regulate our emotions? Validation of the Emotion Regulation Strategies for Artistic Creative Activities Scale (ERS-ACA) (plos.org)

The arts and Australia’s mental wellbeing | Pursuit by The University of Melbourne (unimelb.edu.au)

The Lana Del Rey Paradox. Why do we enjoy art and music that make… | by Squeeze the Avocado | Counter Arts | Oct, 2021 | Medium

Meaning-making through musical play: cultural psychology of the playground . Kathryn Marsh . DOI:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199214389.003.0003

Brockway, Zoe; Cunningham, Tim; Joo, Lucia Hye Yoon; Pedroza, Jessica; and Plotkin, Michelle, "Art as Meaning Making" (2019). LMU/LLS Theses and Dissertations. 776. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/776