From Canvas to Self-Discovery

HOW PAINTING CAN HELP YOU EXPLORE YOUR INNER WORLD

Painting is a beautiful and rewarding activity that allows you to express yourself creatively, and also has the power to help you let go of stress and anxiety. Many people, myself included, find that painting is a go-to activity when we need to relax and unwind. In fact, I have found that when I am painting, I am so engaged and focused that I don't even notice the time passing by. In this blog, I will explore why painting can be such a powerful tool for relaxation and talk about the many benefits of this wonderful activity, including the creation process that makes it so immersive and engaging.

When I start painting, I am often drawn in by the colors and the way they interact with each other on the canvas. The brushstrokes become a language of their own, telling a story that only I can hear. With each brush stroke, I feel like I am adding to this story, and I become more and more immersed in the process. The feeling of the brush gliding across the canvas, leaving behind a trail of color and texture, is one of the most satisfying and therapeutic experiences I have ever had.

This state of mind, where we become so absorbed in an activity that we lose track of time and our surroundings, is known as the Flow State. It was first identified by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and has since been studied extensively by other researchers, including Martin Seligman. According to Seligman's theory, the flow state is characterized by a combination of challenge and skill. When the challenge is just right for our level of skill, we are able to enter a state of flow, where our focus and attention are fully engaged in the activity.

The act of creating is what makes painting such an immersive and engaging activity.  This sense of creative engagement is what allows us to enter a state of flow and lose ourselves in the painting.

For me, painting is a perfect example of an activity that can induce a state of flow. As I work on a painting, I am constantly faced with new challenges, whether it is mixing the right colors, creating the right texture, or capturing the essence of the subject. But at the same time, I have enough skill and experience to feel confident in my ability to meet these challenges. This balance between challenge and skill is what allows me to enter a state of flow, where I am completely absorbed in the painting and nothing else matters.

But the benefits of painting go beyond just inducing a state of flow. Research has shown that painting can have a wide range of positive effects on our mental and physical health. For example, painting has been found to reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and even improve cognitive function. In addition, painting can be a form of self-expression and a way to explore our emotions and inner world. By putting our thoughts and feelings on canvas, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Moreover, the act of creating is what makes painting such an immersive and engaging activity. When we are in the process of creating something new, we are fully engaged in the present moment and our mind is focused on the task at hand. This sense of creative engagement is what allows us to enter a state of flow and lose ourselves in the painting.

One of the things I love most about painting is the sense of freedom it gives me to experiment and explore. Unlike many other activities where there are rules to follow or specific outcomes to achieve, painting allows me to create something completely unique and original. I can choose the colors, the composition, the subject matter, and every other aspect of the painting based on my own intuition and creative instincts. This freedom to create without limitations is what makes painting such a powerful tool for self-expression and personal growth.

What makes this process unique, is the sense of freedom to experiment and explore, combines with moments of uncertainty and challenges.

But the process of creating can also be challenging at times. There are moments when I feel stuck or unsure of what to do next, and I have to push through those moments of uncertainty and trust my instincts. These moments of uncertainty and challenge are an important part of the creative process, and they can teach us a lot about ourselves.

When we push through our doubts and fears and keep working on a painting, we are building resilience and confidence in our ability to overcome obstacles. And when we finally finish a painting and step back to admire our work, we feel a sense of accomplishment and pride that is hard to replicate in any other activity.

What about you? What is your go-to activity when you need to relax and let go? Do you have any experiences of entering a state of flow while engaged in an activity? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's start a conversation about the many ways we can take care of our mental health and well-being.

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About the Author 

As the Founder and Executive Director of Resilience & Co, Nada El Marji is responsible for setting the company’s overall strategic directions, including planning and defining the strategy, development, and evolution of R&CO’s portfolio of services and programs.

Ms El Marji is specializes in Leadership and Team Coach, her focus is on working with individuals who are dedicated to elevating their performance, building effective team, forming meaningful relationships, navigating successful professional and life transitions, and thriving through challenging and uncertain times. With over 20 years of global experience spanning multiple industries and technologies, she brings a wealth of expertise to her coaching practice.

Given her life and professional experience, she’s particularly passionate about building the resilience of individuals, organizations and communities, enabling them to thrive and not just to survive during VUCA times.

Ms El Marji holds an MBA degree from Leicester University in the UK, she's also a Certified Leadership Coach, Certified Systemic Team Coach and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) by the International Coach Federation (ICF).