As the daylight grows shorter, we can feel more vulnerable
Which means an opportunity for growth and healing lies right around the corner
This week Steve Minich, a reporter for WMTW, a local news channel, left me a voicemail. He wanted to know whether or not it truly was a thing that we can feel more anxious, depressed, or unsettled as the days grow darker. If that was the case, he asked me to do a brief interview about it, to which of course I replied- “Yes and yes”. Not only do I love being able to normalize anything related to mental health, being interviewed gives me a chance to practice my craft and builds those relationships I need for my author’s platform.
Hopefully I will be able to share the interview with you all later, but I was able to affirm that yes- this time of year can be very challenging and it’s not just your imagination. If you love Greek mythology as much as I do, you’ll recall that this time of year is when Persephone has to follow through on her commitment to leave her mother Demeter and rejoin Hades until the spring. We create myths and stories to try and explain this kind a phenomena, and make it easier to proceed with less self-judgment.
The story of Persephone and Demeter also reveals the pain of separation, the emotional challenges of doing what you have to do. If you’ve been impacted by cancer, then you are all too familiar with this ever present reality, that in life there are times that you need to accept where you are so that you can move forward.
As the daylight grows shorter, there is this invitation to go within and reflect. When you feel like you have the tools and resources you need to sit with uncomfortable thoughts and feelings (ahem, like art therapy, right?), this can imbue a sense of self confidence that you can surrender to this invitation. When that happens, your resistance eases and an opportunity arises for healing and growth.
However, if you’ve faced a cancer diagnosis, or loved someone who has had cancer, you are well aware that it can feel super intimidating to surrender to a process of reflection- especially if you perceive that there’s emotional pain, grief, or darkness surrounding the upcoming path. If you’re in that spot at this time, please know that you are not alone.
This is why art therapy can be such a good companion during a time of darkness. Art therapy can assist you in arting something out (aka expressing something painful) and well as enable you to art something in (aka the practice of embodying the nourishment and comfort you need through art).
This practice of art-it-out and art-it-in represents the yin & yang of transitions. When we take time to notice, it enables us to realize that we are capable of taking this on, bit by bit.
If this is resonating for you and you’re wanting some extra community, please make sure to look at the virtual opportunities to connect below! This week I’m kicking off an IG live experiential in which I’ll be live doing 30 minutes of art therapy. If you want to be my guest during one of these practices, send me a DM via my Creative Transformations’ Instagram.
As always, I have a little Art Therapy snack for you below too!
Warmly,
Stephanie
Excerpt from the book…
By taking the time to sit with your cancer experience, bit by bit, you’ll revitalize your unique beauty. The light that was dimmed by the darkness of cancer will shine once again through the telling of your story.
I’m pretty certain it’s evident as to why I selected this passage!
Your Creative Prompt for this Issue…
(P.S. you don’t have to be an artist to do this!)
Before doing this exercise, set yourself up for doing some art and writing. Any kind of art medium will work- so chose something you have on hand or treat yourself to a few supplies. Here’s my basic list for starting an art journal.
Since this issue is all about sitting with the vulnerability you may feel with the days growing shorter, take a moment to notice how you are feeling. Perhaps there’s a memory that’s asking to be seen and heard. And/or, your inner light may want you to practice seeing it through art. Trust whatever resonates for you!
If you can, place yourself in this moment, bringing into your senses the details that you notice.
As you do, what do you feel inside of your body, mind, and spirit?
When you feel like you feel connected to what you wish to explore, use your art supplies to represent it somehow on paper. It can be abstract or specific imagery. Use the colors, shapes, and forms that seem to capture the essence of that experience.
When your creation feels finished, take some time to do a free write about what you notice about what you’ve created and what it represents. Free writing is when you write whatever comes to mind without worrying about spelling, punctuation or grammar.
I’d love to hear from you about what story you told with this prompt. Feel free to share in the comments below or email me directly!
Behind-The-Scenes Look
There’s not much information to share in terms of the publishing process, although I did receive a few more no’s from agents since the last post. It’s always a little sad of course, but I also feel this sense of momentum and possibility right now. So I see that as my work, to practice trusting the process- which is definitely a WIP for me!
To that end, I’ve been journalling more and working with my thoughts and feelings to practice the art of noticing and then releasing. It’s like being in a flow state, which I always find very satisfying. I’ve burned some of those old, limiting beliefs that aren’t serving me- and that’s felt so good.
Upcoming Workshops-
The IG Live, Art-It-Out, starts 11/15 @ 12pm EST. You can set a reminder by clicking on the link in my profile (make sure you’re following me too so that you’ll get the notification when I’m live). For anyone who’s not on IG live, I will include the replay link with the next newsletter.
In the meantime, I am very excited about the two workshops I have in November with Surviving Breast Cancer.org. You can register through the links provided.
Nov. 21st @ 6pm EST- Art Therapy for Healing your Body Image (in English).
Dec 6th @ 6pm EST- Arteterapia para Tiempos de Transición (registration link will be available soon).