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Yesterday, I went to a coffee painting workshop. It sounded fascinating, and I wanted to try it out! Although I learned some new art skills, I wasn't able to enjoy it as much. I realized that I couldn't express myself fully as much as I do with abstract art or while using different colors.
I felt that I wasn't able to process much of my emotions or process much of my thoughts too.
This morning, I made the artwork for this blog post and to regulate my emotions.
To lighten the mood, I put on the song 'The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh)' by Young People's Chorus.
As I began painting, I let the colors, textures, and strokes be my listeners. I painted all my emotions and instantly felt a change in my energy levels and focus.
It worked like magic!
I was able to process a lot of my emotional clutter :D.
Research suggests that emotional regulation is an important component of overall well-being. In fact, the studies I've come across relate high sensitivity to higher reactivity.
Research suggests that highly sensitive people have nervous systems with peculiar differences. Our nervous systems can cause heightened emotional reactivity and impact our lives positively or negatively.
Es Kisu, a scientist, studied that highly sensitive people can suppress their emotions which can lead to negative circumstances.
The intensity of an emotional response makes it challenging for highly sensitive people to regulate or understand the emotions.
[Lionetti F, Pluess M. The role of environmental sensitivity in the experience and processing of emotions: implications for well-being. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences]
Hence, I make it a point to work with abstract art to regulate my emotions. In my opinion, creating an abstract artwork opens doors for better understanding, health, and relaxation for a highly sensitive person.
For example, I utilized colors that could relax me for the artwork in this post, and I utilized an A5 size canvas paper that gave me the space to express all my emotions too. I am sending out gratitude to the person who invented paints and A5 size paper.
In the past three years, I have trained my highly sensitive nervous system to express heightened emotions and show my reactivity towards my canvas sheets.
I have come across a lot of varied opinions about expressing strong emotions. I've allowed people who didn't like my emotional intensity to leave my life. Alternatively, I've gained the gift of having art materials that make me believe in expressing intense emotions.
In my opinion, emotional expression decreases repression.
More importantly, isn't it healthier to give ourselves a creative opportunity to express intense emotions?
Here's another case in point, would the movie Inside Out be successful without the character's sadness, anger, and disgust?
So, dear highly sensitive person, I encourage you to embrace your strong emotions and express yourself.
If abstract art calls out to you, I humbly request you to try it out :).
-3, 2, 1, Cheers,
Pranita
Please note:
The word count for this post is 471.
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Disclaimer - Please note that the information on this site and blog is not medical information. Expressive Sensitive is a space to inform, educate, and engage highly sensitive people about the relationship between abstract art and high sensitivity. Please be advised that I utilize my education and experience as an artist, self-healer, energy worker, and a science communicator to create authentic content in this space.
To get medical support, please reach out to a qualified medical professional. Please reach out to authorized educational professionals to replicate my artistic or emotional coping methods.
Best of luck!
-Rutvik