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| Spring Green mini sketch. |
I only have a very small garden space, but it is a much loved oasis of calm for me.
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| Iris |
Artists often have the ability of being very empathetic people which is a great gift to have, but the downside of being an empathetic person is that it is hard not to take in the suffering of others in such a way that you can't function yourself.
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| Nasturtium |
Knowing this about myself, I already try
to limit social media and news time, but sometimes even with those
limitations I still find myself absorbing and getting emotionally wrapped up in the loss and pain going on in the world.
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| Gaillardia - Blanket Flower |
I'm used to feeling
sad about things I can't control, but after several awful events these
last couple of weeks I was finding it extra difficult. I felt so
overwhelmed, angry and powerless that those emotions were consuming my thoughts day and night.
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| Strawberry |
I realize it seems illogical and a waste of energy to feel so bad when I'm not being directly hurt myself, so it was actually a relief when I happened to see a recent article from the Los Angeles Times that addressed this issue.
Here is the actual list I wrote down for myself after reading what the featured therapists had to say.
- Pay attention to physical and emotional warning signs that you need to take a break. Notice sensations of outrage, terror, overwhelm, despondency or numbness.
- You must stop and process these feelings. Don't flood yourself with new images and coverage.
- Digest the stressful build up of these emotions by any type of healthy movement, writing, talking to people you trust. (For me, a good solid cry also helps.)
- Take action in positive ways that are within your reach.
- Do something kind and good where you are.
- Start small.
Since now I know I am not the only person that may be struggling, I decided that sharing what I learned along with featuring some photos from my little green oasis would be one small positive thing I could do.
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| My Sketchbook |
When I feel distressed it's actually harder for me to make art. My mind bombards me with thoughts that art making is pointless and self-indulgent and does very little to improve this brutal world.
After processing some of those heavy emotions I could silence some of that negativity and focus on creating again. I like how these little sketches featuring sunlight through green leaves turned out. I would like to make a larger version to go on my wall as a reminder of how the green world calmly goes about growing a little at a time.
Even small changes towards good make a difference.
>^-^<
Tina
p.s. Here is a link to the full article if you would like to read it.
Los Angeles Times - Coping with secondary trauma.
