Art as a Healing Process?
I ask myself, So, what does that even mean?
I can think of only the short answer, as I struggle to form coherent long-train thoughts — a mind in motion, even at rest. This is due to my inattentive-type disorder, described as a mind that rebels against order; or, akin to Barthes’ lover, forever distracted by invisible threads of meaning.
However, I would very much appreciate the long answer — although it’s one I cannot formulate on my own from just my fractured thinking. I’ll eventually need answers and help.
But let me start simply (simple is as simple does). At its most basic, Art as a Healing Process means — in my opinion and that of others (whom we shall discuss further on) — using creativity to distract the mind from the suffering of the body. A picture, a song, a line of poetry — they can shift focus, give the mind space, and soften the weight of anguish and pain.
I think not only of the body when I practice art and creativity — it also speaks directly to my mind. Picking up some coloured pens, writing and designing a card, or editing my videos can give form to emotions that are hard to put into words. It can calm my anxiety, quiet repetitive thoughts, release anger, and hold memories safely outside of myself. My personal favourites are the former and the latter (they supercharge my memory recall). I’ll let you into a little secret later, especially if you have the inattentive type of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder without the hyper).
Previously, I expressed my experience creating a melanated cherub for the Christmas tree. That small act of painting became more than decoration — it was a way to feel included, to see myself represented, and to let old wounds start to close. It shows how art can carry personal meaning and work on the mind as much as the body.
So, in short: art, as part of the healing process, may work both ways. It can distract the body from its pain, and it can help the mind process what it carries.
