Art Is Created By Doing The Inner Work: Find The Healers in Your Community
I am inspired by the many amazing healers that I have found in my community. In this recent photo shoot I did with Elevation Central, led by Christy-Lynn, thanks to my friend Jordan, who invited me. I was reminded of how taking the time to heal can lead to your authentic creative art & self-expression. At the core, we all know who we are and how we want to express ourselves. When we have blockers in the way, we can’t always tap into what we want to create. I hope this diary entry helps show why supporting and participating in healing programs in your community for your mind, body, and soul can lead to more authentic art and self-expression.
You cannot truly make and create if you don’t know what your authentic self wants to create. Art is beautiful because it’s a form of self-expression from you, the artist’s view. What thoughts, ideas, or feelings do you want to convey in your creations? How do you convey them when you don’t know how or what you truly feel? When doing the inner work, you will be surprised at what thoughts, ideas, and creative work you make as a result of it.
There are MANY ways people can heal, but I would suggest not trying everything out alone. Yes, some healing does require alone time, like therapy, but it still involves interacting with another human. I think a lot of us are learning to do a lot “alone” because the cost of events, sessions, outings, therapy, etc. can be high for some, but there are free or pay-what-you-can resources from non-profit organizations that help cater to people from all economic backgrounds. (DM me if you’d like any of those resources!) But I also believe it’s important to invest in the healers in your community who use their gifts for better. That human and community connection is yet another way anyone can learn to heal and grow, and in my opinion, it’s important to take part in them every so often. At least for me, they have been.
Try these healing programs in your community:
Yoga
Sound Bath
Craft or Art Classes
Book Club
Group Walks
Writers Groups
Improv Class
Dancing (at a safe place where you can dance like no one is watching!)
Retreats (especially those that include any of the things I mentioned above)
I’m sure I’m missing a few examples, but these are great spaces to reconnect with the world and not feel so alone. As a result, you’ll be surprised how much inspiration comes from these healing, creative spaces to express yourself and inspire you with your own creations. (For anyone who wants resources and links to upcoming events like these in the Nashville area, shoot me a message!)
Before I started the practices above, I tried to do all the healing on my own by reading self-help books, articles, and YouTube videos, but couldn’t really break through. As a result, I couldn’t tap into my true authentic creative self, and I just didn’t feel like me. That’s when I accidentally fell (what I now see as fate) into my healing journey. A friend of mine asked me to take photos at a Women’s Retreat. Because of the emotional connection I felt with the other women there, seeing that they were also suffering inside allowed me to feel empathy for myself and come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t heal on my own anymore. I was starving to create things I wanted. My soul wanted and needed it. I had to start by opening up like these women did, sharing their thoughts and feelings. I had to come to terms with something that was very hard for me to do at the time. I had to push my ego aside and admit to myself that I needed help. I needed healers in my community to guide me. I had to trust and open myself up to others.
I started with my life coach, Echo, who was hosting the Women’s Retreat with my friend, Hailey Hunter. Because of my connection with them, I found a body healer, Ana Morales, who helped me with my IBS & skin issues that were flaring up at the time. Next, I went to a massage therapist (for the first time ever), Anna-Rose Jenkins. One thing fell into place after another, all because I opened myself up to my community of healers, who guided me to learn to love my mind, body, and soul again. Everything else in my personal life fell into place after that. I did more activities I loved, and that helped me care more for myself, such as martial arts, yoga, book club, daily/ weekly walks, dancing, and, as a result, I started creating more beautiful things my authentic self wanted to create!
So I encourage you all: if you’re looking for a way to tap into your true creative self, you must tap into your inner YOU. You cannot do everything alone. Find healers in your community. As psychologist Carl Gustav Jung said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” And what a privilege it is to know your beautiful self and create beautiful art as a result. I believe it's what makes being human and the human experience so lovely and worth living.
Much love,
A.M.D.
