I've always thought of creativity as a "spark of the Divine" in all of us. I believe we all have creativity in us, and that, in fact, we need to express ourselves and our unique take on the world in order to embrace happiness; in order to be healthy.
Creativity has such a broader spectrum than the world of fine arts and entertainment. It's how we put ourselves together: our style. How we decorate our homes, make a meal, or a garden. How we build things. How we solve problems. The impulse to create is in every aspect of our being.
Looking at early archeology, it appears that each person in a tribe had their own style or variation in decoration, their "mark". Everyone personalized their dwellings, their clothing, their daily utensils--even their bodies, with tattoos.
When we began to organize ourselves along the lines of "division of labour" much of that individual expression got lost, and handed over to those "who could do it best". (Or, more quickly, more functionally, at a lower cost, etc.)
So much so, that during my lifetime, at least, very few of us felt we were "talented"; or felt confident enough to express the creative impulse. During times of hardship, the arts are cut back and seen as frivolous. When, in fact, studies show that times of economic severity is when we most need new ideas and approaches. That the brain needs to play and rest, as much as it needs to work.
~~~
For those of us with mental illness, I wonder if creative acts could play a role in healing. Integrating. Helping us be less broken; more whole. Feel more fulfilled.
As someone with BPD, perhaps some form of creative activity will help me form/define my identity? That illusive core self that I don't seem to have, or that I seem unable to enclose in a permeable boundary necessary for healthy relationships.
Will creative activity help me integrate my sensory inputs? Help me give things different weights and meanings, so that I don't get so overwhelmed?
What is the therapeutic value of creative expression, and can it help with BPD?
Creativity has such a broader spectrum than the world of fine arts and entertainment. It's how we put ourselves together: our style. How we decorate our homes, make a meal, or a garden. How we build things. How we solve problems. The impulse to create is in every aspect of our being.
Looking at early archeology, it appears that each person in a tribe had their own style or variation in decoration, their "mark". Everyone personalized their dwellings, their clothing, their daily utensils--even their bodies, with tattoos.
When we began to organize ourselves along the lines of "division of labour" much of that individual expression got lost, and handed over to those "who could do it best". (Or, more quickly, more functionally, at a lower cost, etc.)
So much so, that during my lifetime, at least, very few of us felt we were "talented"; or felt confident enough to express the creative impulse. During times of hardship, the arts are cut back and seen as frivolous. When, in fact, studies show that times of economic severity is when we most need new ideas and approaches. That the brain needs to play and rest, as much as it needs to work.
~~~
For those of us with mental illness, I wonder if creative acts could play a role in healing. Integrating. Helping us be less broken; more whole. Feel more fulfilled.
As someone with BPD, perhaps some form of creative activity will help me form/define my identity? That illusive core self that I don't seem to have, or that I seem unable to enclose in a permeable boundary necessary for healthy relationships.
Will creative activity help me integrate my sensory inputs? Help me give things different weights and meanings, so that I don't get so overwhelmed?
What is the therapeutic value of creative expression, and can it help with BPD?
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