Art Journaling for Anxiety: Dwelling in the Mystery
I’ve been trying to find the words to describe why working abstract, with no plan, and letting go of the outcome is such a mindful, exciting, and yet calming experience all at once. It’s one of my main forms of creative self-care these days, and really helps when I feel anxiety. I’m so excited to share how I use art journaling for anxiety.
Please be sure to share it with your friends and anyone who could use a little help “ARTing it out” right now.
Next Steps:
- Start your creative self-care practice by getting your Free Guide to Creative Self-Care.
- Learn more about art journaling.
- Practice mindful drawing for anxiety.
- Make an easy and fun journal background.
- Or, make a background using tissue paper and water.
- Dive into the flow of art journaling with this amazingly fun class: Fluid Art.
- Journal to clear your mind and banish perfectionism with my class: Freeing the Muse.
- Learn to use art journaling as a form of creative self-care: Starting Your Art Journal.
- Get your hands on those high flow liquid acrylics here*.
- Read more about the work I do at Mindful Art Studio here.
[bctt tweet=”For someone who is anxious, to see the unknown not as something scary, but as an adventure, is amazing. #selfcare #artjournal” username=”amymaricle”]
DISCLOSURE: The information described here is not art therapy. This post is for informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for medical or psychological evaluation or treatment. Please seek advice from a mental health professional in your area if you are experiencing mental health challenges. You can find an art therapist in your area by searching here.
*The link provided is an affiliate link. If you choose to click and purchase something, at no extra cost to you, you will contribute to the work of Mindful Art Studio. Thank you!
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- Week Five: Art Journaling - […] Amy from Mindful Studio offers a great video, Art Journaling For Anxiety. She explains that there are some days when…
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Great video, Amy – I loved seeing your paintings. Such a good way to be in the moment. Thanks for sharing it.
HI Jo:
I just love your hopeful, grounded messages on http://thespiritofus.com. I really enjoyed the little story about Caroline opening her first coffee shop. It made me wish once again we had a good one for gatherings in my town. (We used to and now don’t.) I love that your group is doing meet ups at her cafe. Lovely connections of life.
And thank you so much for your kind words about my art. I’m so happy that the video spoke to you. This work is my labor of love.
Creatively Yours,
Amy
Amy,
I have been noticing how your work is evolving. You are popping up everywhere I turn. It seems to me that the way you convey your message/vision has gotten stronger and deeper. I love watching and learning and yelling “Oh yes! That’s just the way it is!” when I watch your video or read your words or see your work.
I still wish I had been able to take that in person class you offered. It would be great to meet you in person. Are you doing any more?
Hi Lynda:
I know! I think about having missed you in that class frequently. It would be great to meet in person, the connections we can make through the internet can be so satisfying, but it’s certainly not the same as being in the same room. While I don’t have any in person workshops planned, I’d certainly be open to doing a workshop if you had a group of committed people and a space. If you decide you want to pursue it, you can just email me. 🙂
And yes, I have been getting more and more able to convey what it so powerful about art and art journaling. It’s a fun ride, and I SO appreciate you being a part of this community. With every art piece we make, every post, we are teaching others that art is for EVERYONE and always has been a natural human form of self-expression. Thank you for all you add to that.
Cheers,
Amy
You don’t know how affirming it was that you wrote “I SO appreciate you being a part of this community”! Being human is funny, isn’t it? So many of us crave that sense of being included, being affirmed, being seen. I know I do. I love this art journaling thing and learning and being inspired. I hope that I can, even in a small way, show the joy it brings to others.
Lynda: It’s amazing how much we all NEED to hear that. I’m so glad I could say it for you.
Cheers,
Amy
Amy,
Ive been doodling for years and have filled many sketch books. I am not an artist so what ever comes out of the end of the pencil stays on the paper. Great for my hi anxiety life. For people who want to doodle but are afraid to get it wrong, just put that pencil.on a paper draw a line and you’re off. Have fun.
Helen your fellow doodler.
That’s so fun, Helen! I’m so happy you have that skill! XO – Amy
Amy, In my work with you as my creative development mentor, I am learning the :”mystery of art”:, as you describe in this video. For the first time in my life, I have the felt sense of “needing to create” and I have actually begun to feel the “magic” of watching the art evolve.. And, I’m not talking about having a finished piece of art work, or of having lots of skill (this is my first venture into art journaling). Rather, I am talking about the meditative, sometimes spiritual, and always healing essence of being in relationship with the art and the process. Lovely video, Amy! I got goosebumps when watching it 🙂
HI Shelley:
I am LOVING this work with you. Your ability to attend to the process in the moment and give yourself the space to create in an open, meditative way is inspiring to watch. It’s a great honor to work with you on this beautiful process. Thank YOU for your amazing work.
Creatively Yours,
Amy
Following your blogs and comments in your facebook group has been wonderful. You are always encouraging and kind. I remember you first reaching out to me and giving me the courage to attempt new ways to create art while dealing with physical limitations. You have helped improve my quality of life. 🙂 I’ve noticed an evolution in your art pieces as well. It is fascinating to see. Thanks ever so much. <3
Dear Barbara:
Wow. I can’t begin to tell you how much a comment like this means to me. To know that I’ve truly helped you through my posts and comments on creative self-care is so gratifying. Thank you for the gift of telling me. And I also want to really thank you for being such an amazing participant in our COMMUNITY. Especially on our private FB group, Creative Self-Care, you are such an amazing welcomer, encourager, and supporter. You and so many other amazing folks in that group help live out the mission of Mindful Art Studio to empower the “little artist” in each of us to create and feel better. Thank YOU.
Many blessings on you.
Amy
I’m an artist and slowly trying to get into mixed media art. If I put my ideas and notes into a sketchbook is this classed as an art journal? Keep up the lovely work.
Hi Karen:
This is such a great question! In my book, any artistic journal classifies as an “art journal.” There are some who get a bit pickier and would classify what you are talking about as an artist’s notebook or an inspiration notebook. For me it’s all just a creative soup that feeds the soul. To me, the main point of art journaling is to play, experiment, and explore. it sounds like you are doing just that! I’d love to see any pages you’d wish to share! If you haven’t already, you might be interested in our private FB group, Creative Self-Care.
Happy Creating!
Amy
It is very hard for me to hear your voice on this tape. I hear the clicking music but can barely make out any words.
Karen:
I’m so sorry that the sound is hard! I heard this from someone else too and am definitely going to change the recording on my next video. You can find a lot of what I’m talking about here: http://mindfulartstudio.com/simple-drawing-techniques-for-anxiety/ I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Amy
Took me a little while of browsing your site before I came across the section that required heaps of money so people could really be “helped”. I knew it was there, no matter how many times you repeated, “It’s free!” If it’s a question of you sticking out a grubby hand for money to help, or depending on the goodness and beauty of the universe to help me with my PTSD, I’ll chose the universe any day. The only thing asked of me then is helping others as I’ve been, doing work I’m uniquely suited for. To set up a site with your hand out to “help” and justifying it with self serving crap is sick and sad with a steep price for you. Gimme, gimme, gimme…..
Hi Lou:
Oh I’m so sorry that things were not stated more clearly for you. I am teaching art here, so I have a lot of free content on my site and on Youtube, but I sell classes and e-books to make a living. I am not a non-profit. If you are looking for help with PTSD via art therapy, you might check out the American Art Therapy Association website to see if there’s an art therapist in your area on their Art Therapist locator.
I hope you find everything you need, and I wish all the best for you.
Amy
With tears in my eyes…..feeling the Hope
Meg, I’m so touched to hear that it’s helpful. Journal on~ Amy