Creative processes reduce anxiety
Stories from one front line
There is a very humorous movie, a Romanian one where the main character is a bored teacher with dreams of becoming a famous writer one day and who had to put up day in and day out with a bunch of unruly youngsters. His only consolation was that at the end of the day was able to go back home and … write a few pages, creating some sophisticated ways of killing his characters, all based on those rude, emotionally inept 17, 18 year olds.
I was thinking the other day about ways to get out of the system quickly, efficiently and humorously if possible the layers of trauma inflicted in the work environment.
Well, writers have this avenue to purge their emotions, to exorcise the powerlessness one feels at time, the desire to take revenge for the emotional pain inflicted by soulless, grey, emotional beasts one has to accept around in various life circumstances.
Artists, have a great way as well of taking revenge as they can use the brushes as weapons, the paints as bullets and the canvas or paper as a target. Start by writing the name of the individual who inflicts that extra layer of angst in your life. Draw him or her. Simple lines will do just fine. Then pick three colours associated with this individual. Perfect you are on your way to the duel now.
When I read various platitudes very much connected to the “turn your other cheek” and let it wash all over you I cringe. So many times such “wise lines” do nothing but make individuals deny their emotions, question reactions, feel guilty for feeling the feelings, feel not good enough and get into a spiral of self blame and unworthiness because hey … that “wise saying”, that mega guru encourages one to do something which maybe applies to his/ her circumstances but are very far away from making a difference to you or resonating with you.
Isn’t it time to question the sayings we are bombarded with? Isn’t it time to stop and assess if they are really good for us, if they help and nurture us?
Isn’t it time to stop following so many coaches, gurus, spiritual people blindly, without even questioning their words … yes they might sound nice, but maybe their nice, is not your nice. How about that?