Podcast 30 - The Art of Feeling Better: How Creativity Helps You Feel Happy, Calm, and Clear

https://cathyfreemanart.com -  https://realpositivechange.com

Take a moment and think back on a time when you had so much going on in your mind that you actually felt scattered. It was hard to keep things straight… you were forgetting things you needed to get done… There was just too much on your mind, and you couldn’t keep it all together. Your emotions were on alert, and you felt a whole lot more impatient.

Today, I want to talk about something simple—but powerful.

How creating art can actually help you feel happier, calmer, and more like yourself again.

Not because you’re making something perfect…
but because of what’s happening inside your brain while you create.

The first key point is this: Art Gives Your Mind Space

So much of our day is spent thinking.
Processing. Reacting. Managing emotions.

And when our thoughts stay stuck in our head, they can start to feel overwhelming.

But when you begin to create—whether it’s:
collage
painting
journaling

It’s like giving your mind a coffee break… you know, that 15-minute step-away moment before you go back and hit it again.

Creating gives your mind:
a place to slow down…
a place to breathe.

Last episode, I talked about our upper brain and our lower brain—or as I like to call it, our upstairs brain and our downstairs brain.

Well… Art engages the upstairs brain.

When you’re creating, something important happens.

Your thinking brain—the part that reflects, makes meaning, and helps you feel steady—begins to engage.

How?

Instead of reacting, you start observing.

For example:
Instead of “I’m so overwhelmed, I can’t handle this,”
you notice, “I have a lot on my mind right now.”

Instead of “Nothing is going right,”
you begin to see, “There are a few things that feel heavy today.”

Instead of snapping or shutting down,
you might find yourself quietly choosing colors, layering paper, or writing a few words—and your mind begins to sort things out without you forcing it.

You’re no longer caught in the feeling…
you’re gently looking at it.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you start organizing your thoughts in a visual way.

Art helps you move from:
reaction → to response.

It’s Not About Talent—It’s About Expression

A lot of women believe:
“I’m not creative”
“I’m not good at art”

But this kind of art isn’t about skill.

It’s about:
expression
exploration
and giving your emotions somewhere to land

You’re not trying to impress anyone.

You’re simply creating space for what’s inside of you.

Did you know this?
Art helps you “make meaning.”

Remember earlier when we talked about how your brain assigns meaning to situations?

Art gives you a way to see that meaning—almost like looking out a window and watching what’s happening instead of being stuck inside it.

When you choose:
colors
images
textures
words

You’re actually shaping the story you’re telling yourself.

Instead of staying stuck in:
“This feels overwhelming”

You begin to ask:
“What does this mean?”
“What do I want to hold onto… what is actually beneficial here?”
“And what do I want to release?”

Would you like to know what kind of art helps most?

The most helpful kind of art is simple and open.

Things like:
tearing and layering paper in a collage
painting without a plan
writing a few honest words on the page
using color to reflect how you feel

It doesn’t need structure.

It needs freedom.
Freedom to unload what you’ve been carrying.

And while you’re having fun playing with color and paper…
art is doing something powerful for your emotions.

When you create in this simple way, you may notice:
your body starts to relax
your thoughts slow down
your emotions feel less intense
you gain a little more clarity

You’re not forcing yourself to “feel better.”

You’re allowing your brain to process what’s already there.

I’m going to give you a simple way to start.

If you’re not sure where to begin, try this:

Sit down with a few materials—paper, glue, markers, or paint.

Ask yourself one question:

“What am I feeling right now?”

Then create something that reflects that feeling.

No pressure. No rules.
Just let it come out.

I love to use collage for this because I’m not worried about drawing anything perfectly… I can just choose images, tear paper, move things around, and let it come together naturally.

Closing:

Creating art isn’t just about making something beautiful.

It’s about creating space within yourself.

Space to think.
Space to feel.
Space to gently shift from reaction… into response.

And in that space, you often find something we’re all looking for:

A sense of calm.
Clarity.
And a quiet kind of joy.

Outro:

So today, give yourself permission to create something simple.

Not for anyone else.

Just for you.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful thing you can create…
is a little bit of peace within your own mind.