I have always been passionate about creativity. Since childhood, the arts fascinated me but of course it was not meant to be a real career. I mean you don’t want to be a broke and struggling artist?? And of course, the African parents could not understand where it would take a person. One needed a serious career like a Lawyer, Engineer or Banker. Funny enough all my siblings are these and passionate about their work- yes we have a lawyer, engineer, banker and then there is Patricia. Hahaha!
However, I went on to study psychology but I never practised it because my first counselling session was so depressing. I thought I am going to hear all these sad stories and being an empath, yikes I just could not handle it. THEN…..
NOW…having gone through my own trauma, I came to realise creativity was a form of therapy. The psychology I ran away from, I found it in creativity- be it designing a sanctuary-which I am doing this year in my bedroom, maybe I’ll let you in on it or writing or journalling and most recent, colouring. To be specific, adult colouring.
Artists are visionaries. We routinely practice a form of faith,seeing clearly and moving toward a creative goal that shimmers in the distance—often visible to us, but invisible to those around us. We routinely practice a form of faith, seeing clearly and moving toward a creative goal that shimmers in the distance—often visible to us, but invisible to those around us.
The Artists Way~ Julia Cameron
As I was writing my own book, I realised it was a form of creative therapy and there was a way to mesh creativity and psychology. I may not have understood exactly how but I was sure there was a way until I came across a book, The Artists Way by Julie Cameron. She takes people on a journey of finding themselves and their creativity. She taps into the depths of who we are and brings it to life. It is indeed a journey of creativity meeting wellness. And that is what my book is about- my journey of transformation using creativity as therapy. I introduced the book to the world on World AIDSDay. You can click here to find out why I chose that day but I now officially launch this Saturday. Do join us. I would be so glad to have you there.
Creativity meets wellness
So for the next 6 months beginning in February , we will be going through The Artists Way.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity is a 1992 self-help book by American author Julia Cameron. The book was written to help people with artistic creative recovery, which teaches techniques and exercises to assist people in gaining self-confidence in harnessing their creative talents and skills.
It is a twelve-week discovery program but we will stretch it to 24 weeks so that we deep dive into creativity and wellness thus introducing the Creativity Meets Wellness Series. This is a bi-monthly blog and podcast series where we will share the journey, the challenges, the wins of taking on the Artists Way. . So join us on this journey
To make it even better, I am an Arts in Medicine Fellow where we are learning to bridge the gap between the arts and the health sector. Arts in Medicine Fellowship is a non-profit arm of Tender Arts Nigeria. We focus on medical humanities and seek to promote art engagements to alleviate the pains of individuals and improve overall health outcomes of patients, families and caregivers. Art brings the miracle of healing so we are learning creative and innovative ways in the healing process, be it emotional, physical or mental so I will be sharing the nuggets learnt in this series as well.
2022 has started in high gear but there are still a lot of fears. Covid-19 has done a number on the world. We need to take care of ourselves emotionally and mentally now more than ever so join me on this journey. You do not have to be alone. Share with us ways you are caring for yourself. I would love to connect
This year I plan to be a little more selfish and do more of me than ever before.
Most importantly rest when I need to.