Have you ever had one of those moments where something in life feels like it’s shifting? Sometimes it’s obvious, like a loss, a breakup, a move, a diagnosis, or a change you just didn’t choose. Other times, it might just be a sense that things are just different.
In these times, it only makes sense that you would feel a difference in the way you’re moving through your day or responding to other people. It’s like carrying around a weight that you can’t quite name but you know is there.
Something that could be happening simultaneously is a pull toward something new. Creativity isn’t always the first thing you may think of when you’re feeling stressed or off, but it can be a great outlet to release and process emotions through a transition.
We’ll talk more about ways creativity can look (no, it’s not just painting a beautiful portrait) and how to tap into it realistically, regardless of artistic talent, supplies, or time. There are ways to be creative that work with your comfort levels and schedule, that can really make a difference.
When words don’t quite cover it
One of the reasons creativity can be such an interesting way to cope or manage a period of change is that not everything you experience fits neatly into a box. It can be hard to find the wording or language to describe how you’re feeling, and frankly, you may just not want to yet.
It’s okay if your mind may still be trying to make sense of something, while your body and emotions are already responding. That gap can seem disorienting, like you know something is happening internally, but it’s not as clear.
You might notice things like:
- Thinking about it more than you expected
- Certain moments linger longer than they used to
- Emotions that feel present but hard to name
- Conversations that don’t quite capture what’s going on inside
That’s usually where creativity starts to show up to hold what is still feeling fuzzy. This could be writing something without worrying if it makes sense to anyone else, drawing, moving your body, or building something.
You can think of that pull to creativity as letting something exist outside of your head, even if you can’t fully explain it yet.
Creativity as a way of processing, not performing
Depending on how you grew up or what you do for work or hobbies, creativity can look very different. Sometimes we learn to think of it as something you have to be good at, or that’s tied to an outcome. It’s also hard for some people to even associate it to sharing with others vs. something you do for yourself.
When we’re referring to creativity now, it’s more personal and about your expression in whatever way you need it to be.
Here are some examples of what that can look like:
- Journaling in fragments, half-thoughts, or sentences that don’t fully land
- Doodling or sketching without a plan
- Starting a home project concept, without actually getting started on anything yet
- Organizing your space in a way that feels calming or grounding
- Cooking something familiar, something that brings you back into your body
- Making playlists that match your mood, even if that mood shifts day to day
- Revisiting something you used to love, before life got as full or complicated
This is a way to remove any perfectionism or need to get anything “right” and simply do what you’re called to. Little activities like this can help you create some movement internally instead of trying to make sense of what’s there. Along the way, you may feel something shift or start to come into your awareness, but it’s okay if you don’t.
Why the pull can feel so strong
After any type of disruption (something we’re adjusting to), your system is adjusting. That may mean your sense of normal is a little unsettled, and how you feel about yourself can also become a little hazy. These unclear feelings can be the ones that don’t feel as intense, but are often pushed away more because there’s no clear solution.
Creativity can start to act like a bridge between what you’ve been through and what’s still taking shape. Think about getting creative, like:
- Staying connected to yourself when things feel uncertain
- Processing emotions that don’t have clear words yet
- Creating small moments of grounding or steadiness
- Making meaning at your own pace, without rushing for clarity
That’s part of the reason why creativity and healing are connected, especially in times of change. Your mind and body are trying to navigate in a way that feels manageable.
Letting it be simple
If you’ve felt that pull toward creativity lately, it doesn’t have to become something big or structured. You also don’t need to do anything with a certain cadence or tell anyone you’re doing it at all. We want to drop expectations and flow with what feels intuitively aligned.
So for example, instead of integrating a journal entry to every morning you may take the pressure off by trying to open your journal when you feel like you might like to write. You could also notice a spark of creativity during your day that you follow, instead of planning ahead.
Sometimes the most supportive thing is letting it stay low-pressure and yours.
When it brings more up than expected
There are also moments where creating can bring things a little closer to the surface. That’s a good thing, but it can feel like a lot to process, and it’s okay to feel that. You could notice things coming up or memories and thoughts that linger, which doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.
It can be a sign that there’s something more that wants you to pay attention, and you don’t have to do that alone. Having support in those moments can make a real difference.
At Mindful Mental & Behavioral Health PLLC, we often sit with clients in these in-between spaces, where something has shifted but hasn’t fully settled yet. Whether the change is clear or harder to name, therapy can offer a place to slow down and understand what’s coming up, at your pace.
A different way to look at it
If creativity has been showing up for you lately, even in small or unexpected ways, it may not be so random. It may be your way of staying connected to yourself while something is changing.
As we lean away from perfect or figuring it all out, you can explore new ways to explore what’s coming up. We’re always here to help.
You can learn more about our team and self-schedule any time.
