Let Go of the Past with Art

Are you trying to let go of past trauma? Expressing yourself with art can help. When memories from the past resurface, it can be incredibly triggering. These triggers can be detrimental to ourselves and our relationships if we don’t have the right tools to process our emotions and get into the present moment. Making art can help you get grounded and process the emotions that you can’t put into words. Art allows you to go beyond your emotional pain, creating a wordless narrative through pictures and color, which then allows you to work through the painful memories and release them. Here are 5 ways you can let go of the past with art:

Make a vision board

Being able to visualize a positive future will help shift your perspective and rewrite your story. A vision board can be of real service to you, because it gives you the opportunity to create a better future for yourself. When you are creating art, you are stepping into the right side of your brain, where your imagination lies. Your imagination can create stories that aren’t true, in a negative and a positive sense. Making a vision board allows you to use your imagination in a positive way, allowing you to step into your power. Before you start your vision board, meditate on what your intentions are. This will inspire the content of your vision board. Then, using magazines or old picture books, find images and words that speak to the future you want to create. In order to create space for the future you want, you must heal and release the past. This creative process can help you do that.

Focus on color

Appreciating color as you create releases happy chemicals in the brain, the same way appreciating nature does. You can translate the beautiful colors you see in nature onto your artwork, allow that sense of appreciation to fill you up, and let that send you into a state of flow. When you are in a state of flow, you are less reactive when negative emotions rise to the surface. Instead of freaking out, you are able to fully and physically feel them, listen to the information they are sending you, and then release them.

Finger Painting

Finger painting can be enjoyed well into adulthood if you have the right mindset. In order to heal from the past, we must make peace with the past. Finger painting can help you access your inner child. Simply dip your fingers in paint, and allow yourself to become immersed in the process. How do your fingers feel gliding across the paper? What textures do you notice? Let yourself create freely and without restriction. It doesn’t matter what the art looks like, it matters that you showed up and allowed yourself to be creative and to play. Play is the best way to access your childlike wonder and it helps you stop taking yourself and life so seriously.

Create destroyable art

When you are struggling to release the past, it can be helpful to create something that shows you it is okay to let go, and that not everything lasts. Materials that you can use for this project are chalk, sand, or paper in water. You can also build figures out of clay with the intent to smash it at the end. Whatever speaks to you! You can’t do this wrong, because creativity is your birthright. No matter what your skill level is, you can and should express yourself artistically.

Integrative Counsel proudly offers virtual Art Therapy with Quinn. Quinn uses virtual art therapy to treat individuals with OCD and Anxiety, as well as those undergoing a major life transition or adjustment and are  experiencing grief. Click here to schedule your virtual art therapy session!

Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.