A Changing Picture
The power of image never ceases to amaze me; there is so much magic in the process of image creation and exploration, and it can provide an incredibly powerful vehicle for self-expression and reflection. Image creation, quite literally, gives us new ways of “looking” at something! This magic and power was clearly demonstrated in a recent cohort of Mindfulness for Well-Being and Stress Reduction students I was teaching, and one student, Grace, has let me share her experiences and drawings here.
In reflecting on her Mindfulness journey, Grace explained, I chose to “express with imagery how I felt this course helped/served me, and looking at both images I drew, it definitely highlighted that this was the right thing to do.”
Through creating, reflecting on, and exploring her images, Grace was able to gain a deep sense of her journey and what had changed for her; it was there on the paper for her to see.
The image above (the “before” image) shows Grace at the beginning of her Mindfulness journey. She explained, “Before beginning the course I was a second year university student who has a lot of ‘ups and downs’ but felt like they were mostly ‘downs’ for a variety of reasons. I would tend to overthink situations a lot and focus on future events – predicting their endings and never believing good things people say about me. So I drew myself in a glass box. Here, people outside are saying kind words but they bounce off and the glass makes hearing difficult.”
In addition to the disconnectedness the glass box was showing, Grace also explored the feelings this box held in, represented by the arm drip (“the chemical feeling” of being overwhelmed that filled her and seemed to begin in the arms) and the flooding within the box (all of “the overwhelm” building and not having anywhere to go). Grace also realized that “I’d often apologize for releasing my emotions on those I cared about (the “sorry”) and although the sun was visible, I never used it for self-compassion.”
Through exploring this image, Grace recognized what she was feeling, and crucially was able to identify key areas she wanted to work on as she embarked on this journey of self-discovery and self-investment.
When the course came to an end a couple of months later, Grace decided to revisit her original drawing and updated it, reflecting on and noting the changes she was experiencing.
Grace excitedly explained that the second picture (the “after” image above) “Shows cracks in the box which allow light through, less flooding and [less] chemicals.” The box was no longer solid and sealed; she was no longer feeling disconnected from others, nor were all of the overwhelming feelings building and flooding her space. Additionally, Grace recognized that she was smiling in this drawing and saying “I am” to all the kind words. “This ‘I am’ is my self-belief and growing self-worth”, she announced with a big smile.
When asked how she felt looking at these two images, Grace beamed. “They show my journey, how far I have come! They take the feelings I have on the inside and show them on the paper, on the outside. I feel very proud and connected to the ‘Grace’ in these pictures. I’m not sure I would have seen my journey the same had I just written it with words.”
So, maybe next time you are embarking on a journey, facing change, or simply wanting to check in with where you are, maybe consider exploring this visually. Artistic creation opens up layers of meaning and gives us powerful ways of looking at things. You may be surprised and inspired to discover what added depth and dimension this brings – what is shown “on the paper, on the outside!”
Sarah Webber, Reg MBACP, APCCA Tutor, Creative Arts Counsellor,
and Mindfulness Instructor. January 2021