The Healing Power of Creativity: My Response to Dr. Martha Beck
Listening to Dr. Martha Beck's conversation with Steven Bartlett on "The Diary of a CEO" podcast struck a profound chord with me. Her message resonates deeply with what I've long believed about the crucial role of art and creativity in our increasingly anxious world.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
As both an artist and a mother, I witness daily how the pressures of our modern world affect not just my children, but an entire generation. The digital age, whilst remarkable, has brought with it unprecedented levels of anxiety and stress. Dr. Beck, with her background as a Harvard-trained sociologist and founder of the Wayfinder Life Coach Training platform, articulates this global phenomenon that I've observed both in my studio and at home.
My response to this crisis is simple yet transformative:
Make, make, make anything!
The Brain Science Behind Making
Through years of artistic practice, I've come to understand intuitively what neuroscience confirms: when we create, we activate the right hemisphere of our brain, which helps calm the analytical, often anxiety-prone left hemisphere. I've witnessed this balance transform not only my own mental state but that of countless others who engage with art.
When we stay in 'making mode', something magical happens. Our minds settle, our thoughts clarify, and our capacity for joy expands. It's not just about producing art—it's about finding a state of flow that naturally eases anxiety and enhances our overall wellbeing.
Creativity Is for Everyone
What I'm particularly passionate about is helping people understand that creative expression isn't reserved for 'artists'. You don't need formal training or expensive materials. You can:
Draw with biros
Craft beaded necklaces
Experiment with photography
Build models from cardboard
Create greeting cards
Try sponge painting or splash painting
The medium doesn't matter—it's the act of creation that counts.
My Message to You
Having children has made me acutely aware of the mounting pressures they face. As anxiety levels soar worldwide, I believe more firmly than ever that creative expression offers a vital pathway to mental wellness. When we make things with our hands, we're not just creating objects—we're creating space for our minds to breathe, our thoughts to settle, and our spirits to rise.
The more we stay in making mode, the calmer and more creative we become. This enhanced state of being ripples through every aspect of our lives, improving our mental health, sharpening our focus at work, and ultimately leading us toward greater happiness.
Dr. Beck's message aligns perfectly with what I've observed throughout my artistic journey: the simple act of creation can guide us back to peace, clarity, and joy. So I urge you—make something today. Anything. Your mind will thank you for it.
Sharing my Creative Journey
This message of creative healing is one I'm passionate about sharing through teaching. From 1998-2001, following my MA, I taught at Southampton City Art Gallery and Cranleigh Arts Centre, including after-school art clubs for 8 to 11-year-olds. This week, as I lecture at Westbourne House School in Chichester, I'm reminded of the joy of nurturing young creative minds.
I'm excited to expand my teaching practice across Sussex, Hampshire, and Surrey. My workshops and lectures cover experimental painting techniques, professional art career development in the digital age, individual visual language development, and insights into the global art market. Whether working with 8-16 year olds in school settings or adults in colleges and universities, my goal remains the same: to share the transformative power of creativity.
If you're an educator interested in bringing these workshops to your students, please send me a message. Together, we can inspire the next generation to embrace their creative potential and find peace through making.
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