Coping Skills: Artistic Healing

Ever since I was a child I have expressed myself through creative arts such as poetry and music. I have written hundreds of songs and thousands of poems and even have a few short stories floating around out there somewhere that I didn't even keep copies of. The need to create was just always there for me and it wasn't until I started researching bipolar disorder and found the studies showing links between the arts/creativity and bipolar disorder.

I think I believe this theory is true because for me the creativity comes from me working so hard to focus my mental and spiritual energy on projects that will turn whatever stress I'm feeling into a positive. Poetry was always the number 1 outlet but with bipolar disorder it's hard for me to focus on just one thing and so I ended up experimenting with several different things. Music is where I feel I'm accomplishing the most and I find that I have learned the most about myself since I've been working with music. I also get to listen to how I've felt before and analyze my situations so it's like I'm just recording self therapy sessions.

I grew up idolizing John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix and whenever I needed them they were there for me. I would sit in my room and blast some Jimi or Lennon and get in my zone for a little while to escape if only for a bit. I really felt like these guys were speaking to me and they helped me get through a lot and I am sure that if I hadn't had their music I might not have made it. That's why I decided to take my poetry and branch out into music and even with writing stories. I figured I have all of these crazy ideas I might as well put them down just in case.

When I would listen to my favorites I felt like they were helping me out so when I put songs out or write a poem or even blog I really hope that I am able to have the same impact. I don't care about charts or sales I just want to be a part of inspiring people to better themselves and better their communities. We have a duty as fellow human beings to look out for one another regardless of family relations or economic status in society or any of these dividers we have in our world today.

I encourage people to grab a notebook and at least journal about their daily lives just to put their feelings and thoughts somewhere. It is beneficial in many ways as you can go back and reexamine things or you don't ever have to read it again or let anyone else read it if you don't want them to. You may discover things about yourself and you also will develop a skill for bringing yourself out of a bad situation. You might be going through something and writing out your fears and worries may help you calm and focus yourself into coming to a better understanding as to what you should do. All you did was write in your journal and accidentally stumbled onto a peace of mind!

Joey