Sometimes creativity can uplift those dark moments when you're recovering from an eating disorder
I truly believe that creativity can uplift even the most despairing of souls. Following an impulse to create a poem, a dance, a picture, or anything else that requires imagination, makes us truly twinkle.
I find that if I’m in a rut and feeling stuck, doing something artistic pulls me out of my analytical mind. By playing around with (sometimes) outrageous ideas, I can loosen up my mind and body to be naturally free.
These are the times when I have those “Ah ha!” moments and get flashes of inspiration. When we are living in the midst of a diet or disordered eating, our brains are caught up in calories and fat.
We block out those miraculous instances that push us into the land of the unknown. They teach us to let go of the things we hold so tightly and just let our imaginations run free.
What we forget to do in the midst of our disordered thoughts, is to be in the moment. Our lives follow the plan we have prepared for the day, which leaves little room for spontaneity.
But sometimes all we need is time to listen. Do you ever get an idea or remember something important while taking a shower or falling asleep? These are the times when we let our thoughts run free from our stranglehold and interesting things come to the surface.
It’s important to have those moments more often. Even if you have to schedule time to do nothing but listen, that’s worth more than 50 more sit ups. It gives our brains a chance to figure out and digest what’s going on within our own selves.
Who knows what might transpire? Maybe you’ll realize that you have always wanted to salsa dance. So, go out and try it! You’ll never have fun if you can’t let go and let your creativity shine.
And when someone is stuck in their obsessive thoughts about weight, diet and appearance, creativity can be a welcome break from the disappointing results that an eating disorder always brings.
Recovery is possible if you can find ways to express your anger, despair, pain and frustration in a way that liberates you.
Find some creative exercises you can do by clicking here.
