Expression

There is something incredibly therapeutic about "making" art. The creation of art uses parts of the brain that are totally different from the parts that govern your everyday life. Playing an instrument is an entirely different action, requiring the other half of your brain, than going to the store or talking to people or calculating a 20% tip. Doodling just feels different than going to work or brushing your teeth. It's an engaging, always changing, and pleasant experience.

I guess it's not the creation of art per se, but rather the expression of oneself.

I've started to pick up a guitar now and then to tool around, with the eventual goal of being somewhat proficient. Despite the fact that I don't actually know very many chords nor do I in any way consider myself a "guitar player," Making music with it was simply wonderful. I felt as if there was a part of me coming out through the notes and rhythms that doesn't normally. I was basically hearing myself think in a much different way than I usually do with my ongoing inner dialog.

Here's to hoping that I'm not the only one with an ongoing inner dialog. *clink*

I get a similar but different feeling from performing. As an aspiring improv comedian, I am up on stage 2-3 times a week creating drama and comedy all at the tip of a hat. There are ideas and
themes and thoughts flowing out of me at an incredible rate. The only way to be successful at harnessing that information to trust that you know how to improv and not focus on the action. To basically open your mind and react as fast as you know how. As a result, a lot of things that an improv performer is thinking about at the time comes out in some way on stage.

Expressing myself in that way is the best feeling I've ever had. Ignoring the rush I get from finding that golden special place in my brain where I've abandoned all thought and am essentially a part of the scene, improv also provides an outlet for the topics on my mind at the moment. Having the opportunity to play out the hypothetical situations I inevitably create for myself during the aforementioned inner dialogs is incredibly refreshing.

Maybe my enjoyment from art (which includes improv by my def) comes from my upbringing. I was always encouraged to play music (piano, trumpet), do theatre (2.5 years of hs, improv in hs and college), and I even went through a drawing phase. I've grown up with art all around me, and therefore the creation of it is something that I enjoy. It's hard for me to imagine a life that does not have a whole lot of creativity in it, it seems like a life I would absolutely hate living. But, that is why I clearly don't.

So if you find yourself regretting how long it's been since you've practiced piano, or tried drawing something, or even written something, then just do it. Gain some balance in your life. Even if it's been years since you've played your instrument, or you don't know how to play one at all, it's still fun.

Enough preaching. Here's a sweet video I just re-found.