PTSD and Creativity

[SammyKline]

another thought...

why does being creative always have to result in something so easily identified as ART? or a finished STORY? or POEM? etc.


always meaning according to mainstream thinking.. conventional thinking.

what about living creativity?
what about making the ordinary aspects and elements of life as colorful, creative, weird and joyful as possible?

paint your room purple!

go on random journeys to unusual places. make gifts for people you do not know and give them away. you can just mail them anonymously. create new foods or games.

invent things.

I think one of the most dangerous and limiting messages that comes from society is that only writers can write, artists can make art, publishers can publish.

being creative is as fundamental as breathing, healing or emotions. isn't it?

it is common to hear people in their final moments lamenting that they wish they had been more adventurous and playful and explore more of the world when they were young. (I have volunteered in a hospice before)

from the perspective of a PTSD sufferer the same sparks of creativity can help with small every day things, or even just with ways of thinking. ways of coping that are creative, unusual or quirky. obviously it's not so easy. i guess i am trying to separate out the idea of the finished art piece, writing or object, from the more essential creative approaches , impulses, allowing yourself to think and act freely.

so, maybe, creativity also as a mode of thought, a way of processing and responding to reality on various levels some of which may result in art, but do not have to?

or just living a creative life?

is this making sense?

 

[Tinyflame]

Totally makes sense to me.

Think it is a tremendously healing approach and a lot more fun!

 

[cragger65]

Some amazing posts and amazing people here. Excellent thread!!

I thought music was "gone from my life" and soul. When I forced myself to play, I would feel nothing... nothing at all. And yet people would say, "you put so much feeling into your playing" or "I can really feel it when you play". Then someone else pointed out that the part of my brain that plays music is so developed, it survived even permanent brain injury. And you know, they're right. It is still there.

So I don't feel it 100% every time. Sometimes I do, now. And I thank God for that. That part of you is never really gone, I realize now. I picture it like a stream or brook. Sometimes it's burbling over falls, flashing and dancing. Sometimes it goes underground for a stretch, but it's always there, never "gone for good". Gentle, patient perseverance has been my method to find it, but maybe something like a shake up would do me some good now. This thread has certainly been inspiring!!

 

[SammyKline]

has anyone here ever used the forum to play a word game? For example several people post one word at a time and develop a collaborative story similar to the automatic writing experiments of the surrealists.

seems like that could be a good way for someone who wants to be creative and productive to do just a little bit (post just a word) and be a part of something larger. would also be an interesting group portrait of those who play along. Hmmmm.

 

[A-RON]

I think it sounds like an awesome idea, Sammy! But I think you should start it. Maybe as a new thread?

 

[cragger65]

Sammy, killer idea!!! Just outline the "rules and guidelines" the was you see it working and I'm there.