A few months ago, I had some cancelations so I decided that I wanted to try a new painting technique. I hadn't painted in so long because I just didn't have time; it wasn't a priority.
I had tried the acrylic pouring painting technique once with my brother. It was a lot of fun because you can’t really plan the results. You pick your colors, put them on the canvas, and go with it. It felt good to get out of my head and create something with no expectations of the outcome, a fun surprise – happy accidents, as Bob Ross would have said.
So, I did it. If I had spent any time thinking about it, I wouldn’t have done it. Why? Because there’s always a chore or a task that needs to be done. I could have also spent the time reviewing my coaching training materials and preparing for my final exam. But I didn’t. I got my supplies, set up my space, and painted. Afterwards, I felt relaxed. The stress I hadn't even realized I was carrying had melted away. Not only that, I felt energized! Everything else I had to do that day (and the next and the next) didn’t seem so hard. It was a like a big exhale when I didn’t even realize I had been holding my breath. I painted three paintings. It didn’t even take that long. Why don’t I always do this?
I realized that for me, painting is a stress reliever, a form of self-care. A form of self-care that I had been neglecting myself. How many of us don’t give ourselves the space to find and do things that relieve our stress, that give us that break, that much-needed recharge of our batteries? How many of us neglect ourselves and don’t allow for our own self-care? Whenever the topic of self-care comes up with a client, I inevitably ask them, “Is self-care selfish?” and the answer inevitably comes back, “Yes.” Why do we treat ourselves this way, giving until we’re too exhausted, too drained, or maybe feel too selfish to give back to ourselves?
I loved painting so much that I never stopped! I even expanded into old techniques I hadn't done for a while, like watercolor and traditional acrylic painting. I also branched out and tried new things, like working with alcohol-activated inks. I even made some one-of-a-kind necklaces and magnets. For the pieces that I couldn't bear to part with, I turned them into prints on fun gifts like notebooks, framed tiles, keepsake boxes, and even puzzles. You can purchase my art on my website: https://byvictoriascott.wixsite.com/site.
What does self-care look like for you? For me, it’s art. Maybe for you, it’s dancing, singing, taking a walk, swimming, gardening, cooking. I’m sure bubble baths and massages can surely be given some room in this space too.
Comment with one thing you are going to do for yourself this week to relieve your stress!