By Arielle Giordano
One of the best strategies to reduce holiday stress and tension is to employ creative power, which has the ability to help us see new things and solve old problems in new ways. Creative expression has the potential to bring the unconscious, unknown, hidden, and unseen into our sight. The creative process allows us to become aware of our thoughts and feelings, and to see how we are being, acting, feeling, thinking, and interacting with others. All we need to do is get out of our own way and stop blocking our natural creative flow so we can move in and with it.
Many people are enslaved and feel compelled to uphold holiday traditions, holiday perfection, and having the holidays “a certain way.” Yet:
The holidays do not have to be in the traditional family setting, even though our grandparents, parents, and family did or still do it this way.
Allow this holiday season to mix change with tradition and incorporate new ideas to enliven the holiday setting.
The intention of the holiday season is to share love, give and receive gifts, and connect with family and friends. Keep this intention in your heart, and when you feel uncomfortable or tense about what you are doing, know it is time to stop, take a breath, and change directions. Know that is it okay to make changes and do something new! Take some time to nurture and give back to your creative spirit with family and friends. Have fun, go for walks, ride bikes or go to the gym, for instance.
The Power of the Creative Process
Not long ago I attended an art therapy session with several women. It was my first time, and I was curious and excited to experience something new. First, the group completed a childhood trauma questionnaire. Then we did an art activity, which was scribbling with our non-dominant hand to help access the right brain.
I scribbled with a crayon in a circular motion. After our scribble, we identified images, forms, and shapes within our scribbles, and I saw many oval circles all over the paper. Throughout the session, we danced between answering questions and making art.
We also made a mailbox to write down our inner messages at any time. The group selected an empty box and decorated it. I chose a small black cigar box with golden oval circles on the front, sides, and inside the opening of the box. I covered the front oval shape and inside oval shapes with beautiful textured golden cloth and then put jewels on it. I made a flower out of orange tulle fabric and placed it inside the box with a jewel in the center of it. When I opened the box, the orange tulle and jewel flowering in the center popped up!
The facilitator asked, “What shapes do you see on the box?” I said, “ovals.” She then told me to look at the archetypal book by Carol Jung and referred me to the “Cosmic Egg.” It is the oval symbol for the feminine and masculine energies that unite and become perfection. I later interpreted the meaning and message of the “Cosmic Egg” in my artwork to circumstances that applied in my life. It was an enlightening experience!
As can be seen by my experience in this workshop:
Being creative is not always about the product, it also about this process.
Yes, creative people paint beautiful paintings, make wonderful music, create sculptures, build architectural designs, and invent new ideas. The creative process, however, also allows for unconscious messages, insights, and a new conscious awareness to take shape and have form.
In this experience, body, mind, soul, and spirit are immersed in the process. While focusing and creating art, I let go and became present in the moment, my mind engaged on creating, enjoying, and having fun. In letting go of the outcome of these creative efforts, I feel a sense of freedom to move and be guided by my own flow and to trust the process.
Being creative is our natural impulse as human beings. Let creative expression and art guide you to let go of stress during the holiday season. Stay focused on the intention of the holidays. Allow yourself to do something new that is more relaxing, adds fun, creativity, and laughter.
Here are a few creative ways to celebrate and enjoy this holiday season:
- Make holiday gifts.
- Mix and match the old traditions with something new.
- Bake holiday cookies, fudge, breads, desserts.
- Read holiday magazines and books full of crafty ideas for gifts.
- Color and scribble with your non-dominant hand OR with your eyes closed alone or with your family.
- Play games, or build things with children.
- Create a collage with old magazines to help strategize all your holiday gifts and goals.
- Create a holiday banner with paints, pastels, markers, or crayons for the family holiday.
- Determine changes you can make to enliven and have fun with family traditions.
- Come up with new ideas and enjoy creativity as a new coping strategy for the holiday season.
Dance through this holiday enjoying doodling, scribbling, painting, dancing, baking, cooking, building, creating new projects, and experimenting with new ideas, fun. You have the freedom to be in the creative moment so enjoy!
Arielle Giordano, with a Master’s of Arts and Master’s of Education, is a professional dancer, choreographer, teacher, facilitator, and published author. From belly dancer and snake charmer to Salsa and Hawaiian Hula dancer, she enjoys sharing her gifts and talents with an authentic style rich in grace in dance, psychology, philosophy, and the expressive arts. Arielle is a Lead Faculty Area Chairperson and Faculty Member for College of Humanities at the University of Phoenix. She inspires students with her profound knowledge of Humanities, Art, Psychology, and Philosophy. She is a published author of two books and many magazine articles. In 2013, she published the Psychology, A Journey, 4th ed. Study Guide. In 2011, she wrote the Barlow Abnormal Psychology 3rd ed. Instructor’s Manual, and in 2009, the Psychology, A Journey 3rd ed. Study Guide, published by Nelson Education. She has been a guest speaker and interviewed on radio and television. In addition, Arielle has been featured in newspapers and magazines across the United States and Canada. For more information, visit dancingfromtheinsideout.com or email agbeautifuldance@gmail.com.