Peer Group Chat//Creative Outlets// Thursday 30th November 2023, 7-8:30PM AEDT

@Healandlove I only had to create new login details for Peer Group Chat. Fingers crossed you don’t need to

@Former-Member thank you 😊. Goodnight!

Hi Everyone,

I feel like this chat really highlighted how many different forms creativity can take, and how healing creativity and creative outlets can be. I came across a really powerful talk on the healing powers of creativity a while ago that I wanted to share in case it might be interesting. I'd also be really curious to hear from anyone who would like to share, in what ways might creativity and creative outlets help in your healing/ recovery?

@Healandlove @Former-Member @Dez1 @Shaz51 @Snowie @Healandlove @7cough9 @Captain24 @Blackbird11 @Cali_Rose @_PixieSolstice_ @Glisten @Zoe7

Hey @TideisTurning It is an interesting question. I remember clearly how other members here encouraged me to paint when I was really sick. Most times I did not have the motivation or energy to do so but once I got into it, I found something that I had lacked for so long - a little bit of peace. The creative juices ebbed and flowed over months - some days I had nothing and other days I could paint for hours. When I had some direction, I also felt glimmers of purpose - so together I could both channel the negatives and positives into my art. For me, art is such a powerful way to express our emotions and feelings but it can also be a great way to bring some joy into our lives ....by creating something purposeful and/or with meaning and being able to sit back and say "I did that".

@TideisTurning I’ve recently learnt that I’m very lucky to have lots of hobbies and that these hobbies are my creative outlets. Until recently I’ve only looked on these things are items I enjoy that give me a sense of happiness and pleasure.

Genealogy - when I’m feeling low and struggling to find something to do quite often I get out my laptop, open one specific program and continue doing family tree research where I become engrossed and totally loose all sense of time. My mind becomes clearer, feel at peace within myself and gives me a sense of enjoyment. Sometimes I find something knew, other times I don’t and neither worries me. The entire researching aspect gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, helps calm me plus, some how, helps clear my brain fog

@TideisTurning

That was a very powerful talk. Creativity pathed a way to help healing in their C-PTSD journey.

I love photography, I mainly use my phone but I have a dslr camera too. Photography for me is a way to capture a moment, inspire a positive feeling and connect with others through encouragement. Looking at my images reminds me I'm a part of a bigger picture and my perspective has a ripple effect.

@Zoe7 Absolutely can identify with your experience. Being in the moment of total peace. Glimmers of purpose - I am more than the Sum Total of life’s experiences.

I haven’t been able to work on my creative outlet this week and I can feel my tension rising.

Hey @Glisten I am fortunate enough to be able to include a lot of creativity into our class so I get doses of it regularly. I have not been able to do any of my own work for a while but working with the kids keeps me going.

I hope you can get to yours this week and release some of that tension - art/craft is such a wonderful way to immerse our minds in something without actually having to think too much.

'It just does' seems a common theme among everyone in terms of the ways creativity impacts and aids healing. although, I picking up a sense of joy and peace the process can evoke as well as the accomplishment when you see the end result/product of a creative endeavour.

@Zoe7, so much of what you've said resonates with me, in terms of the meaning what we create can have and the purpose it can give us. This is why one of the things I enjoy most about the creativity of others, whether it be art, dance, music, whatever, is when I have the opportunity to learn the stories, meanings or inspirations behind it. That, for me, just makes it so much more.

@Former-Member, that is amazing to have so many options. I love that sense of being engrossed that you've described- it can be really cool to escape, just for a little while, sometimes!

@Blackbird11, that sense of connection and being part of something bigger something really cool product of your creative outlets! 😊 I think the idea of creative outlets helping to generate a legacy we leave behind might have come up in the PGC itself, and though I'm also reminded of it in terms of what you're describing with the ripple effect.

@Glisten, I feel like it says a lot that not having the opportunity to work on your creative outlets leaves you with an increase in tension, though I can certainly relate! a loved one has even described knowing to prompt me to create when they notice I'm not feeling the best, because they know it can help me release. May I ask what your go to creative outlet is? It sounds Zoe has found a way to integrate creativity on a semi-regular basis. I'm wondering if you, or anyone else, has any ideas about how to integrate engaging with our creative outlets more regularly?

@TideisTurning I’m at the Women’s Shed as I’m typing. Just waiting for the blokes to leave. Men’s Shed gives us access Monday & Wednesday after 1:30 pm.

But no one can be in the workshop by themselves. Like last week when all the women were working on a fundraiser, not on timber projects.

I was getting really tense because I have two Christmas gifts to finish.
I got over it.