Healing Through Art

As I sit here knotting another rosary in silk thread, I drift off into "the zone", and all the feelings of fear and doubt and unworthiness float away. Okay, you got me. I had to stop knotting to come here and write this.

In 2006 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and in 2009 with PTSD. Am I hyper-vigilant? Yeah, you could say that. Super-sensitive? Yep. Is that part of the condition or part of my artistic talent? Dunno. Am I worried about it? Nope, not anymore.

Anyway, in 2010 I started making jewelry again. I had briefly picked it up back in 2005, but then circumstances brought down the hammer of my sickness upon me, and so I gave it up.

Today I am physically symptom-free. My inherent mistrust of all things medical prevented me from taking any drugs beyond over-the-counter stuff. Yes, psychotherapy and hypnotherapy were a big part of my healing, as was regular yoga practice. But that's not all.

I sincerely believe that the function of going "into the zone" while creating my pieces was no small part of my recovery. No, I know that this isn't a new idea. Just a cursory Google search reveals Healing Through Creativity and Healing Through the Arts.

Writing is absolutely another form of therapy, though that is probably far more effective for others than for me. Still, I have been writing short fantasy stories since I can remember for my own enjoyment, and in the past decade or so, I've posted them on the 'net in various places for others to enjoy.

Yes, this blog's main purpose is to promote my Etsy shop. But why do I have an Etsy shop? Well, because I know I want to make these things, and I'm going to make them anyway, so why not put them up where others can find something they may fall in love with?

So, I guess this post is just a reminder. A reminder to slow down, do what you love, and don't get so caught up in making money and doing, liking, and saying mainstream, popular things.

Because it may just save you from a life of suffering. It certainly did save me from that.