When grief feels overwhelming, I encourage you to at least try to express it through art, and here’s why.
Thinking about grief may leave you confused – can it be expressed through words, feelings, or actions? When everything fails and you feel that no amount of words or tears can express what you are going through, that is exactly when the art can help.
There’s one interesting thing about art and that is how it never truly comes from happiness.
Throughout history, artists have created some of their best pieces due to different sorts of tragedy and pain.
For bereaved parents, art can be truly healing because it allows you to express what lays in the deepest dungeons of your soul.
Art as a solution when you cannot express your grief through tears anymore
As someone who has lost a child, you are well aware how grief can manifest in all different sorts and shapes. Sometimes, it is messy, sometimes it is quiet.
A grieving process when losing a child can truly be chaotic but is definitely always deeply personal. Sometimes, even talking to other bereaved parents may leave you feel unrecognized and misunderstood. A communication through art can be healing in such situations.
If you think that you’re not talented in any sort of creating art, please keep in mind that art related to grief never requires true technical skills. It is all about the deepest honesty of your heart and soul.
It doesn’t have to be anything complicated if you feel that you are not capable of creating art – you can make just a simple sketch, or even use some old photos to create collage. Art, today, can be expressed together through technology too.
Always keep in mind that the artistic process is more important than the ”product” you will create.
Art as Connection and Memorial
Keeping memories alive of your lost child can sometimes be very difficult and painful.
Art helps us here as well because it can serve as a bridge, to connect you with whom you’ve lost.
As you can see, we have created different poems on our art section of the website. There are songs of bereaved mothers, as well as paintings.
You can use art as a comfort ritual when feeling in the deepest pain. For example, you can light up a candle and try to write a song, or just a few sentences about how you feel. Journaling is highly recommended in the grieving process as well.
Art isn’t there to erase your feelings
Don’t think of art as of the tool that will erase your feelings and make you ”move on”. I would rather think of it as of a way to honor without needing to “move on.”
And no, art won’t erase the pain but is will definitely give you a special space where you can finally express what you feel for 100%. Art will understand you, and you will understand yourself more through expressing art.
Another amazing benefit of art is that it can beneficial for dealing with anxiety.
While creating different sorts of art in our grieving process, we say: I am still here. And so are you.
