Art Therapy Through Lockdown

This lockdown has hit us hard in just about every area of our lives. We South Africans are outdoor people; being cooped up is not in our DNA. We’re also amazingly resilient. I hear far fewer complaints than I expected from my fellow lockdownees. I’m super proud of those of my colleagues, friends and family members who have, so far, made valuable use of this enforced period of incarceration for personal growth, nurturing relationships, mending torn family ties, revitalising their companies and even building new businesses.

Not one of us is sure when this pandemic will end and what affect its devastating sweep across the face of the planet will leave in its wake. We can only guess that our lives will be radically transformed. How? We don’t know. Change generally procreates insecurity but, this time, change is staring us squarely in the face and we have no choice but to go along with it. It is inevitable. Fate works in interesting ways, putting us all in the same boat; tragically, some with less paddle-ability than others.

The point of this article, however, is to look on the bright side and make the most of this peculiar time that has been so curiously bestowed on us. We are sure to look back on this chapter of our lives with massively mixed feelings. My wish is that, amongst other things, there will be a certain amount of pride strolling amongst those memories. Pride at what we achieved whilst suffering from heavy doses of cabin fever, somewhat alleviated by social media and other forms of communication.

When the bell of lockdown tolled, I found myself, most unusually, with masses of time on my hands. Under normal circumstances, I’m accused of being a tornado, racing from meetings to site inspections, to drawing boards and back again. Okay, so with my body not racing, my mind took its place and I came up with the idea of running courses on Therapeutic Art or Art Therapy which represents the creative counterforce to the hurly burly of life. Art Therapy is the perfect outlet for exploring and expressing emotions through various art forms.

Nobody could agree that being confined to the boundaries of our homes is the most joyous state of affairs, but it certainly has advantages. On the positive side, we have endless hours to relax, rejuvenate our minds, bodies and spirits, get down to the patient chores lurking about the place, contact dear people who have been neglected or make discoveries through our new best friend, Doctor Google.

For me, however, the brightest silver lining of all is the unprecedented gift of being able to spend precious time with our children, just as I believe it used to be in our parents’ day, long before television and the internet. We can tell stories, concoct games, make music and act out mini-dramas. In my case, these fun activities veer towards the arts; art therapy in particular. Yes, we’re talking about mandalas and meditation for older people, but we’re also talking about painting and colouring in for the little ones; fun artistic activities designed to unleash their creative juices.

There is so much more to Art Therapy than the art itself. Through a variety of fascinating exercises, challenges facing both our children can be brought to the surface and tackled.

The daily colouring tasks reveal how emotions work and show children how to manage them. For example, exercises for releasing anger work wonders with little monsters who throw hair-tearing-out tantrums at the slightest provocation.

For those of us of more advanced years, why not try something new and inspirational instead of lolling mindlessly in front of TV or overdosing on Social Media? Art Therapy is not just about colouring in pages, drawing fluffy pink unicorns or splattering paint over canvas. It is specifically designed with therapeutic intention, offering appealing and, often, subliminal techniques of re-directing focus as well as bringing limiting beliefs or hidden vulnerabilities to the surface, so that they can be recognised, dealt with and despatched. What a glorious feeling of freedom!

The excuse of not having enough time for self has leapt out of the window and run off to the hills. There is a multitude of transformational courses available online. Why not indulge in highly beneficial art therapy workshops like those on offer from Scribbleart?

Get up, dress up, show up and, finally, lighten up by relaxing, focusing and making new friends; all through Art Therapy.

We have included links to our facebook page as well as our contact details. Contact us and we will happily send you a free worksheet to help start the journey to creative focus and freedom, or maybe get a 48 page activity book delivered to your door at a discounted price 😊

Natasha Ungerer | 072 680 1369 | natasha@scribbleart.co.za | @ScribbleartSA