How to channel negative emotions into creative avenues
Do you know that feeling when life just doesn't turn out the way you thought it would?
I moved to Berlin at the turn of the year for a project, and it was anything but what I had imagined. How could I have been so wrong?! I had lost myself: in the expectations of others, in comparing myself to others, in the idea of a role that did not correspond to my integrity. To err is human. To make mistakes is human. To learn from them is human. That's why I had to retreat in order to find myself again. I went on a retreat with myself and sorted through my thoughts and feelings, integrated what I had experienced, and recovered from the stress.
Finally, I found my way back into my flow.
One of the most beautiful ways I do this is to channel my negative emotions into creative outlets. That means going deep, feeling, and expressing what comes up. I went to Ecstatic Dance and stomped out my anger, dancing myself free. I wrote in my journal to gain clarity about who I am right now, in this new life situation. I exercised regularly and spent time in nature. And I finally started making music again. These are all activities that opened my heart and that I had neglected during this stressful time.
I process my emotions into a song
I slowly regained my creativity, and as I played freely, this song came into being, which I would like to share with you today. I call it: HOME AGAIN. It is a song that reminds you that we humans sometimes take the wrong turn in life, make unhealthy decisions, get carried away or lose our way, only to find our natural flow again. That when you fall, you can simply get back up and have more clarity about what you really want. These are the most valuable lessons in life because they teach us what we don't want, what our needs and desires are, and how we want to realign our lives.
I hope it inspires you!
HERE ARE MY 4 TIPS FOR YOU:
I am taking this process as an opportunity to give you my tips on how to deal with challenges and channel negative emotions into creative avenues.
1. EXPLORE YOUR EMOTIONS
Of course, you know yourself best and know what triggers and hurts you. So, first and foremost, focus on your feelings and emotions. If something is bothering, upsetting, or irritating you, pause and check in with yourself. Notice when and where the emotion arises and how your body reacts to it. Allow yourself to cry if tears come. Take time to process and integrate what you have experienced.
2. FIND YOUR WAY OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION
Use the wave of emotions to express your pain. This can be done in a variety of physical, verbal, and mental ways. Suppressed emotions are stored in the body. Therefore, the easiest way to let go is always through the body. Whether it's through jogging, boxing, intuitive dancing, shaking, breathing, chanting, singing, screaming, or other means. Perhaps you are more of a thinker and want to sort through your thoughts by writing in a journal. Then do that, but also allow yourself to turn it into something creative, such as writing a poem or short story, or even painting or crafting something.
3. INVITE CURIOSITY
Creativity is stimulated when you do things differently than usual. When you break out of your structure and comfort zone and push aside shame and fear. Everything is allowed, nothing is mandatory! You don't have to dance or sing or paint beautifully. Just let it flow and see what happens. Allow the energy to work through you. Stay curious and open instead of controlling what or whether something has to come out of it. Just be in the moment!
4. REWARD YOURSELF
It is important that you follow your needs here. Don't force anything and follow your flow. You will notice when it is over. A creative process usually ends with a feeling of silence, peace, or even emptiness. When everything has been said, written, danced, then you are just being. Enjoy the moment. And then take care of yourself and your inner child. Do something good for yourself, reward yourself for the process of letting go. What brings you joy? What do you need right now? And then give yourself that.
Please feel free to share whether and how this helps you find your creativity and what beautiful things you have gained from the process.
Have fun and all the best,
Your Annabelle