The Unexpected Antidote to Anxiety: Why I Can't Stop Creating

One of the things I love to do with the Soul Aligned Life Community is to share what is working for me. As someone who has to be intentional about her self-care and my focus on keeping my stress and anxiety levels to a minimum. I'm always looking for ways to do this that are aligned with my vibe and my life.

Recently thanks to my talented kids I've been spending more time on creating. When I say creating, I'm talking about drawing, painting, crafts. I come from a long line of creatives and grew up doing this but haven't been spending any time in the recent embracing this side of myself.

Now that I started, it seems as though I can't get enough. I'm having so much fun and one of the side affects I noticed is while I'm doing these things, even thinking about these things, I'm not stressed or anxious. I think its actually impossible to be stressed if you're in creation mode.

Then by accident, I watched this ted talk by Amie McNee about art. You can watch it here if you would like. She talks about how it's good for us and the whole world when we step into our creativity.

The reason I wanted to share this with you today is to encourage you to create, whether you think you're creative or not I want to expand your vision of what you think art is from the fine arts to everything we create.

You're being creative when:

• You play music.
• You dray or paint.
• You do any crafts
• You knit or crochet.
• You make a garden.
• You're cooking a meal or baking.
• You're dancing, writing, or podcasting!
• It's basically anything you're creating, anything.

So, I want to stop all the people out there that are going to say to me, "I'm not creative". We are all creative in some way shape or form.

Now, here's the results that are amazing. The results we get when we do something fun like creative expressions.

As stated in this article by Mindful Arts Therapy, some of the things you will experience:

1. Art Unlocks Relaxation.
When you lose yourself in sketching or painting, something magical happens. Your focus shifts from your worries to the present moment. This simple act tells your nervous system it's safe to switch from "fight or flight" to "rest and digest." The repetitive motion of a brushstroke can be as calming as a deep breath, slowing your heart rate and quieting your mind.

2. Art Creates Mindful Presence.
Art is a form of meditation with a pencil. It pulls you away from racing thoughts and into the sensory world of color and texture. This practice of being fully in the moment cultivates a deep sense of calm and clarity, helping you feel grounded right here, right now.

3. Art is Sensory Soothing.
The feel of pastels in your hand, the sound of a pencil on paper, the sight of blending colors—art engages your senses in a gentle, grounding way. For anyone feeling overwhelmed, this controlled sensory input can be incredibly calming, creating a safe space for you to just be.

4. Art Allows Emotional Release.
Some feelings are too big for words. Art gives you a safe, non-verbal outlet to express and release them. Putting emotion onto a page makes it tangible and manageable, offering a cathartic sense of relief and a new perspective on what you're carrying.

5. Art Encourages "Flow State."
Ever started a project and looked up to find an hour has flown by? That’s "flow." This state of deep immersion is a mental vacation from stress, blending focus with calm to leave you feeling refreshed and emotionally balanced.

6. Art Regulates Your Breathing.
The rhythmic nature of shading or painting naturally synchronizes with your breath. Without even thinking about it, your breathing slows and deepens, guiding your body into a state of natural relaxation.

7. Art Boosts Your "Feel-Good" Chemicals.
Finishing a creative piece—or even just trying something new—releases a little dopamine, the brain's "reward" chemical. This natural mood-booster brings joy, motivation, and a welcome counterbalance to stress.

8. Art Empowers You.
From choosing a color to completing a piece, art is a series of small, empowering decisions. It reinforces your ability to make things happen, building confidence that spills over into everyday life and helps you navigate challenges with more resilience.

9. Art Balances Your Brain.
Creativity uniquely bridges the intuitive, emotional right brain and the logical, structured left brain. This harmonious collaboration brings a sense of mental integration and clarity, reducing that feeling of being mentally "torn."

10. Art Builds Resilience.
Art is a safe practice ground for life. It teaches you to adapt, problem-solve, and find beauty in the unexpected. This process builds emotional strength, helping you bounce back from challenges with greater self-compassion and grace.

It's no wonder I feel so great when I'm creating. It's to the point that I just want to do it all day long.

So, the question is, how do I add more of this into my daily life? Well first you have to find what you enjoy. For me, it's all of the above. I like it all. I'm not exaggerating either. Anything when I'm in creation mode, is where I'm happy. I do it all too. One of the main things I don't let stop me is fear of not being good enough.

Am I a great writer? Not really, but I don't let that stop me from writing this blog. Well, that goes for all of it. Just because I'm not great at it doesn't mean it's not fun, doesn't mean you won't experience the benefits.

So, this week's self-care practice I want you to do is, create something. Go to the craft store and buy something to paint. Do some coloring, cook a fabulous, gorgeous meal, write a poem, start a blog, start a podcast, do a paint by number. Color with your kids!

Now, this is the best part. After you create something, share it. Take a picture and send it to me or post it online and tag me. I created an Instagram account for this new project of mine and I've created an art persona, Talula Sunday.

Maybe someday I'll share where this name came from, funny story, but head over to Instagram and follow my journey there. You can check it out HERE. 

I can't wait to see what you create, and don't forget to pay attention to how you feel while you're doing it.

Happy creating!

Xo, T

AKA Talula Sunday