Hi, I 'm new to this site and in snooping through the forums, I saw this subject on art. I love to carve gourds, take photos, and do paper crafting. My Dr. told me to use this as one of my ways to calm myself when triggered however, through the years, art and crafts have always been an escape, a safe place, for me. At the moment, gourd carving is my favorite art form. I made one to give to my therapist but was embarrassed to do so. I was fearful that it was not good enough so it is still sitting in my car. There is something so satisfying in letting the mind wander while processing things all while keeping the hands busy. The same goes for editing photos. The creative process seems to allow such a deep sense of expression, emotionally. People may find pleasure in a finished product, but I see and feel the emotional statement that produced it. Art is a stabilizer for me as it seems to be for many of you, too. Too bad we couldn't have an exhibition in support of PTSD and the healing process.
