Last Updated on March 7, 2023
For many women life can be hectic and filled with stressful situations. From tackling a never-ending to-do list, balancing family responsibilities, or managing professional goals there are often multiple pressures to juggle.
Creative self care recognizes that taking time for yourself is just as important and prioritizing the needs of others. It’s using the creative process and finding ways to de-stress, relax, & reset without sacrificing other areas of life, taking care of your own well being.
In this post, discover seven creative outlets for practicing self care.
What is Creative Self Care, Anyway?
Taking care of yourself is an essential part of life. Creative self-care means actively engaging in activities that bring you joy, fulfillment and peace.
When we nurture our creative spirit, we are taking steps to create a better version of ourselves and express our true potential. You can express creative self-care through activities such as drawing, painting, writing, crafting or dancing – anything that brings you joy.
Creative self-care can also simply mean being mindful of the small moments by taking time away from the hectic pace of life to relax and spend quality time on you! Slow down to carve out some time for your creative passions and enjoy them comfortably at your own pace.
How is Creative Self Care Unique from Ongoing Self Care?
Creative self care can be different from your regular ongoing self care routine because it takes on a more playful, energized approach.
Instead of your classic “me-time” activities like taking a bubble bath or spending time outdoors, you’re actually being proactive and intentional with the energy you are putting forth within yourself. Taking out time to make something new – whether it’s recording an original song, painting a picture, or writing a story – challenges the creative part of yourself that hasn’t been unlocked in awhile.
This type of activity not only relaxes, but provides a sense of personal pride for accomplishing more than the day to day needs that fill our lives with overwhelming routines. So if you want to make the most out of self care today, think outside the box and challenge yourself with something new and creative!
How Can Creative Self Care Benefit Us?
Creative self care can give us the chance to get out of our comfort zone, explore, and try something new. Through creative self care, we have the opportunity to better understand ourselves and our needs in a way that’s both enjoyable and rewarding.
We can practice expressing our emotions artistically or even choose activities that make us laugh and smile. It can be our own form of art therapy.
8 Ways to Express Yourself Creatively
Taking care of yourself doesn’t always have to mean complicated, expensive activities. Art can be an incredibly powerful way to practice self-care, and you don’t have to be a Picasso! Simple creative outlets can give you a therapeutic break from the everyday hustle.
1 | Doodling
Doodling is a wonderful creative outlet for clearing your mind and giving you that visual expression of whatever’s on your heart.
Taking a moment to doodle is a great way to take a break and practice self-care. It allows you to be creative with no pressure or judgement while using easy materials like paper and pens. As women, we know how busy life can get so it’s important to make time for ourselves.
Doodling has benefits such as helping you relax and giving your mind time off from the daily grind.
2 | Coloring books for adults
Coloring books for adults are the perfect creative activity when you need some time away from screens, or just crave some mindful calmness in your daily life.
Color therapy can be the “ahh” moment that restores your sense of balance and harmony. Adult coloring books provide an opportunity to let go of stress, chaos, and overstimulation.
With a crayon in hand you can be mindful, present and nourished as you reconnect with yourself. Be creative as you fill in the detailed lines with colors of your choice and add joy and vibrancy to every page.
Coloring books for adults offer an easy way to take some time out for yourself; most importantly, remind yourself it’s okay to just breathe.
3 | Poetry
Write down your thoughts in the form of poetry- this helps you connect with your inner depth and reconnect to what you truly love.
Poetry is a great form of self-care because it allows you to express your thoughts and feelings in an imaginative and creative way. Getting started writing poetry can seem intimidating at first, but with a few simple tips, you’ll soon be expressing yourself in no time!
First, let go of any expectations or pressures to be perfect. Don’t worry about making it rhyme or measuring the length of each line; just write down whatever comes to mind. Start by jotting down observations from nature or key words that are meaningful to you and build off those elements until your poem takes shape.
Remember that this practice is for yourself — there’s no need to share your work with anyone else if you don’t want to — so don’t worry about what others might think.
Writing poetry can be a powerful self-care strategy for women; it offers an outlet for releasing emotion and processing experiences in a creative and meaningful way.
Whether you want to doodle, draw, create poetry, or write down encouraging affirmations, what better way to keep track of your creative self care activities than with a personalized notebook? They’re versatile, can be customized in a number of ways (including the filler paper), and you’ll know that I created these designs with you in mind!
4 | Abstract painting or drawing
Use the power of art as healing by letting out emotions through abstract painting or drawing.
Sometimes, when you’re feeling stressed, it can be hard to find the time and energy to look after yourself. One of the most overlooked forms of self care is abstract art. Whether you choose to create a painting or draw something that is purely abstract, the very act of creating can be calming and fulfilling.
No previous experience is required, simply create whatever comes naturally – that’s what makes it so satisfying! Abstract painting or drawing has no rules – use whatever tools you have available and work with whatever shapes, lines and textures feel right to you.
Over time, you will develop your own personal style from your creations. Not only is this form of self care fun and creative, but also it’s possible for anyone.
5 | Positive affirmations
Writing down positive affirmations is a way to remind yourself of all the good in your life and boost your confidence.
Writing these affirmations down with an intentional focus and attitude can help you take time to check in with yourself and remind you of what’s important. Whether it’s a list of all the things that make you unique or a simple, “I am strong,” written on a post-it note and stuck somewhere visible, making yourself a priority can be as easy as writing down some uplifting words.
Not only is this a calming activity that centers around you, it can also give your mood a boost, making sure your mental health stays healthy.
6 | Drawing color palettes
Drawing color palettes can provide the perfect opportunity to relax and work on something artistic while having fun.
Color palettes are a great way to express creativity and show off your unique sense of style. From creating coordinating makeup looks, designing your own spaces, or inspiring yourself through mood boards and visuals, setting aside time to draw color palettes can be an incredibly relaxing form of self care that only requires some paper and your favorite colored pens or markers.
Taking intentional efforts in creative self-care can help reduce stress, boost productivity, and allow us to take back control of our lives. Feeling confident and inspired by the colors we work with can also provide a newfound source of joy throughout every day.
7 | Taking pictures
Taking pictures of moments that make you happy can inspire mindfulness and help you feel seen and connected – even if it’s just with yourself.
Words like ‘self care’ can sound like a cliche but the truth is that it is an important way to take of yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally. One creative way to practice self care is to take pictures of moments that make you happy.
Whether you use it as a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty around you, or simply and methodically document your days with happy memories, taking pictures of things that bring joy can be a great source of relaxation and recharging.
It’s also versatile – it can be done anytime, anywhere, and there are no hard or fast rules about what kind of pictures should be taken. You can take pictures of sunsets, birds in flight, meaningful quotes – ANYTHING!
Celebrate your life’s milestones and special moments with a snapshot; these snapshots act as daily reminders of how amazing life is, inspiring creative growth and positive feelings.
Final Thoughts
Self care is an essential part of life and it can come in many different forms. From creating abstract art to writing down positive affirmations, drawing color palettes or taking pictures that make you happy – these are all creative ways to help reduce stress, boost productivity, and take back control of your life.
Taking intentional efforts towards creative self-care activities can be incredibly rewarding; not only will they bring joy into your daily routine but also provide a newfound source of inspiration throughout every day. So why wait? Take some time for yourself today and consider these new possibilities with one (or more!) of these simple yet effective methods!
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