expressing grief through art

We all process grief in different ways. For some people, the grieving process can feel like being caught up in a whirlwind of emotions, with no way to slow them down or make sense of them. For others, it might feel like wandering in the desert — feeling lost or dead inside. In both cases, grief has a powerful impact on our relationship with our own emotions.

In today’s post, we’ll explore how creative outlets can be used to process and express grief.

Creative Outlets and the Grieving Process

In order to understand how creative outlets can help with the grieving process, it’s essential to understand that process. Sometimes, that’s the loss of a loved one — other times, that’s the loss of a dream.

Many times, that grieving process can be uncomfortable. At times, you may even feel guilty or ashamed about your thoughts during the grieving process. For example, people are often surprised to realize their relationship with a lost loved one continues to evolve even after they’re gone. Old wounds resurface — and old dreams take on new significance.

Creative outlets help us process those feelings in safe, tangible ways — letting us explore them from different angles.

Art and Expression

All art is a form of communication — and art takes many forms. It doesn’t require skill, and it doesn’t need to rise to some standard of perfection. All it needs to do is help you express your thoughts and feelings in a way that feels right for you. Counterintuitively, you may find the best method for expressing your grief is a form of artistic expression you don’t often engage with. A musician, for example, may find it easier to express their feelings with paint.
As part of the grieving process, consider exploring different creative mediums to express yourself.

Creative Writing

Many people find that creative writing works best for them. People have been processing grief through poetry and written verse for almost all human history. Consider keeping a poetry journal on hand — whether that’s something physical or an app on your phone. Use this to process your feelings in real time. If you’re at a restaurant and the thought of a lost loved one enters your mind, take the time to write some lines on what they might have said or ordered. Think of this as a conversation with yourself and the object of your grief — which may or may not be a person.

Paint Your Emotions

Words don’t always come naturally — and sometimes, it’s easier to turn to visual expression, like paint. Many clients find it helpful to paint their emotional landscapes — sometimes, they’ll even paint the same landscape again and again, and over time, it’s possible to see how that landscape is changing. Sometimes, they paint the maelstrom — the swirl of colors that represents their emotions. It doesn’t need to speak to anyone except you, and it’s okay if it doesn’t end up hanging in a museum someday. The purpose is to help process and connect with your emotions.

Singing Your Song

Some people find it easiest to express themselves through music — whether working out their anger on the drums or writing a bittersweet love song. You can get outside the box with this — even a private karaoke night where you share your grief through songs can be a powerful experience.

Schedule a Consultation

Grief is both a process and a journey — and it doesn’t come with a map. It’s not unusual for people to get stuck or delayed along the way. It’s important that you know this is not a journey you have to take alone.

Schedule a consultation today for more information on how creative outlets can help you process grief.