SELF-KINDNESS AND THERAPEUTIC ART

Self-kindness is about showing understanding toward ourselves when we are hurt or fall short of our expectations. Rather than being critical when we already feel pain, we can treat ourselves with warmth and patience instead.
 
Often we are quick to treat others with kindness when they are in pain. We validate their feelings and provide support for them to get through it with caring and understanding. When we do this for ourselves, by acknowledging our own pain and caring for ourselves, we are exercising kindness.
 
We can treat ourselves with kindness by reminding ourselves that no one is perfect, that we are enough just as we are, and we can use self-care activities and spend time with people who treat us well. We can find rituals that we find soothing, such as a warm cup of tea or a walk in nature. And we can take time to make art that honours and strengthens the value of kindness.
 
Our worth is unconditional.
 
For anyone who’d like to explore self-kindness with art making, I’ve created a 7-day challenge where we will use affirmations and art journaling.
 

7-Day Self-Kindness Art Journal Challenge
 
Art Journalling focuses on the process of making a page using art processes, rather than the end result. It's meant to be spontaneous and enjoyable, and can be a great way to find a state of creative flow.

You can start this Art Journal Challenge at any time, and you can choose any seven days, they don’t need to be across one week. Remember this is about self-kindness – and this extends to being kind to things you make, try to leave aside any judgment and focus on enjoying the process of making art in all its beautiful imperfection.
 
What you will need:

• 7 sheets of paper – this can be art paper, copy paper, a visual art diary or any sort of recycled paper or card
• Your choice of art materials – these can be any type of pens, pencils, paint, ink, collage, etc.

 
Guide:
Each day, use the affirmation prompt provided below.
Take some time to consider what this means to you, and any imagery or colours that may come to mind.
Using your art materials, create a page including the affirmation and your creative interpretation. Think kind words, kind colours, kind shapes, kind images.
There is no right or wrong, be spontaneous and let the ideas flow onto the page with freedom.
 
Sharing:
If you choose, you can share your art journal page on Instagram using the hashtag #IVATselfkindness and tagging me with @innerviewarttherapy. Follow the hashtag and share the self-kindness support.
You are invited to share this page and invite others to participate.
 
Daily affirmation prompts:
 
Day 1 – Today is the beginning of whatever I want.
 
Day 2 – I am capable of doing hard things.
 
Day 3 – I am happy and radiant.
 
Day 4 – I will honour my need to rest and recharge.

Day 5 – My happiness is reflected back to me.

Day 6 – I am proud of myself.
 
Day 7 – I am enough just as I am.


If you'd like to explore how art therapy can help you, please contact me or make an appointment.

Need help getting started with Therapeutic Art Journalling?

I now offer 1:1 mini sessions online to help you get started and build confidence with therapeutic art journalling, sessions are 30 minutes and the fee is only $65. You can book here:

BOOK MINI SESSION