Art and Self with Cindy Ingram

The last couple of weeks have been intense. Between processing the presidential election results (which has left many of us feeling scared, emotional, angry, and sad) and some difficult things happening in my personal life, my creative practice has completely fallen by the wayside. That daily art practice I shared with you before? The one with the squares for each day? Gone. Those mosaics I was making tons of? Haven't touched them. I simply haven't had the energetic, emotional, or mental capacity for any of it. Watch this episode on video: https://youtu.be/-dGpUlC6QnM?si=z9clL7Z-9eX6mFln [https://youtu.be/-dGpUlC6QnM?si=z9clL7Z-9eX6mFln] You know those times when the world feels like it's falling down around you, and the thought of picking up a paintbrush or sitting down to write feels completely overwhelming? That's exactly where I am right now, and I know I'm not alone. This week, I was meeting with a coaching client who's working on an exciting creative project—one that usually lights her up—and she shared that she's experiencing the same thing. The election results knocked her over too, and she hasn't been able to put any creative energy toward her work. Here's the thing: I've noticed that when life gets intense, our creative practices are often the first things to slip away. It's totally normal. As someone who makes art, writes, and generally tries to stay creative, I've learned that there are gentle ways to keep our creativity alive even when we don't have the emotional or mental capacity for big projects. Creating Safe Space for Creativity Let's talk about something really important that I've learned: to be able to create, you need to feel some level of safeness. Your nervous system needs to be at least somewhat regulated. You don't need to feel 100% safe—just enough to get started. What does that look like in practice? It's different for everyone, but here are some things that help me: * Creating a soothing environment (yes, it sounds cliché, but lighting a candle or playing specific music really does help) * Finding your comfort drink (I'm literally sipping iced coffee as I write this, even though it's 4 PM) * Setting up a dedicated creative space, even if it's just a corner of your desk * Using meditation apps (I've been trying Insight Timer lately—turns out meditation isn't so bad with my ADHD when I have something to focus on) Starting Small (Really Small) One of my program participants came up with this brilliant idea: she made a post-it note that said "2 minutes" and listed all the creative things she could do in that time: * Write a haiku * Make a quick drawing * Take photos of interesting plants on a walk * Doodle on a post-it It doesn't have to be a big event. You don't need to set up cameras and art supplies and make a whole production of it (trust me, I get it—I'm literally has to make the video simpler than usual because that's what I can handle right now). Finding Your "Just Right" Activity For me, one of the most soothing creative practices is collecting paper scraps and gluing them down. I can watch TV or listen to an audiobook while I do it. It's engaging enough to keep my hands busy but not so demanding that it overwhelms my emotional capacity. Your "just right" activity might be: * Neurographic art (making lines and rounding the edges) * Playing with watercolors and watching them flow * Stream-of-consciousness writing * Moving your body through dance or large gesture drawing * Working with clay * Following a simple art tutorial on YouTube The key is finding something that feels luscious and good to you, without being overwhelming. Remember: It's About the Process, Not the Product There's this amazing Kurt Vonnegut quote where he tells students to write a poem and then tear it up—scatter the pieces in different trash cans so no one can ever put it back together. Why? Because you still grow from the act of creating, even if no one ever sees it. I spent years not making art because I thought it had to be "good." I studied art history, I knew what "good art" looked like, and I convinced myself that if I couldn't make that, it wasn't worth making anything at all. What a waste! I've been making art for several years now, and while I haven't made any money from it, it has changed my life in profound ways. Stay Engaged (Even Just a Little) The longer you stay away from your creative practice, whatever it is, the harder it gets to come back to it. (And if you're neurodivergent like me, you might literally forget that you're an artist or writer—whoops!) Staying engaged, even in tiny ways, reminds your subconscious and your nervous system: "Hey, this is still a thing I do. This is still part of who I am." It helps you hold onto that part of yourself when things get hard. A Gentle Reminder If you're struggling to create right now, you're not alone. Allow yourself to create without expectation, without pressure for it to look or sound any particular way. Your creativity isn't gone—it might just need a gentler approach right now. Remember: engaging with your creativity is valuable with or without an outcome. Sometimes the most important thing is just showing up, even if all you do is tear up paper or write three lines in your journal. What small creative act could you do today? Not to make something amazing, not to share it with anyone, just to stay connected to that part of yourself? Get full access to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram at cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe [https://cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

In this vulnerable share on my podcast and YouTube, I open up about my journey of embracing my true self through healing through art and creative community. Watch as I process these revelations through art journaling while discussing last night's powerful tarot session, the magic that happens in our art interpretation circles, and my upcoming tarot program. Join me as I reflect on self-acceptance, neurodiversity, and the healing power of creative community. To see me making art at the same time, watch this podcast episode on YouTube: 🎨 Mentioned Programs: * Art Church (Monthly Free Sessions) - https://cindyingram.com/art-church [https://cindyingram.com/art-church] * Art Connection Circle - https://cindyingram.com/circle [https://cindyingram.com/circle] * New Tarot Program (Coming Soon!) ✨ Want to join our creative community? * Subscribe to my Substack - https://cindyingram.substack.com [https://cindyingram.substack.com] * Learn about Art Church - https://cindyingram.com/art-church [https://cindyingram.com/art-church] 🖼️ Featured In Video: * Light Seer's Tarot Deck - https://amzn.to/48ExgFb [https://amzn.to/48ExgFb] (affiliate link) * Last Week's Video - * More about my River Trip - https://cindyingram.substack.com/p/sunday-strokes-a-river-trip-and-a [https://cindyingram.substack.com/p/sunday-strokes-a-river-trip-and-a] * This is Me - Table Sing - * This is Me - Britain's Got Talent - Art and Self with Cindy Ingram is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram at cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe [https://cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Hello! I'm excited to introduce you to the first episode of a brand new collaborative podcast with my friend Heather Doyle Fraser over on our new substack, The Spacious Creative. In this limited series podcast, we'll explore the topic of creativity from all sorts of angles. If you are a creative person or especially if you are a creative person "in hiding," I know you'll get great value from listening to our conversations on creativity. In this episode, we break down our histories of being creative, including times when we both went into hiding as creatives. We'll be releasing episodes every Thursday through the end of August! Also be sure to register for our upcoming workshop on July 24! Click here to register [https://cindyingram.com/trust]. -- In Episode 1 of Spacious Creative, Cindy Ingram and Heather Doyle Fraser explore how creativity has shaped and shown up in their lives. For both, being creative isn’t something that “happened” to them; it is an identity that has been with them as far back as they can remember: early childhood. During this time, creating wasn’t hard or challenging—it was a joy and a comfort and a place of freedom. This beginning place of ease and contentment didn’t remain static. After exploring these beginning experiences with creativity, Heather and Cindy walk us through how they navigated being creative over their lives: the natural ebbs and flows and the imposed expansions and contractions that we all experience as creatives, artists, and writers. What we experience in our early lives is often indicative of the passions and pursuits that enthrall us as adults, though, if we can allow ourselves to follow and trust those inclinations. We all have a story of creativity and how we began our creative journey, and although Heather and Cindy’s journeys might have different details, the broad brushstrokes might bear a striking resemblance to your experiences. Here are some of the brushstrokes these two creatives explore in their conversation: * Early childhood creativity had a clear impact on lifelong artistic pursuits. * Inspiration came in many forms and there are clear and distinct childhood memories, like drawing, painting, making up stories, “writing” before you could write, and arranging spaces to feel comfortable and safe. * The influence of encouragement and discouragement on sharing creativity and artistic endeavors. * Navigating perfectionism and its effect on the creative process. * Using art to process emotions and experiences during adolescence * Personal stories and reflections on the role of creativity in self-expression and growth. * We sometimes stop creating for ourselves when our society deems it impractical, but we can come back to these endeavors over time when we begin to trust ourselves and our creativity again. To register for our workshop on July 24, Trust Your Why: Your Creative Comfort Zone Needs You, click this link [https://cindyingram.com/trust]! Click here to subscribe to our substack! [https://thespaciouscreative.substack.com] Get full access to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram at cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe [https://cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

In this engaging podcast episode, Melissa Cox joins me to discuss the artwork Coping by Nicole Eisenman.  Here's a bulleted list of what we discussed in this episode, thanks to our friend Chat GPT. * The feeling of being worn down by internal struggles or long-term challenges * Reflections on hope and despair, and the isolation it can bring * The importance of representation and seeing possibilities for different choices * Personal anecdotes illustrating the impact of representation on decision-making * Discovering one's neurodiversity and the journey of self-acceptance and accommodation * The need for radical acceptance and compassion for oneself and others * Coping mechanisms and harm reduction strategies in facing life's challenges * Externalizing internal struggles through creative mediums like art and fan fiction * The evolving nature of long-term friendships and the acceptance of change * The therapeutic value of art and conversation in processing emotions and experiences * The role of verbal processing and receiving feedback in personal growth and problem-solving * Understanding the dynamics of evolving friendships and accepting change over time * Embracing compassion for oneself and others, and reframing past judgments * Using art as a medium for self-reflection, externalizing internal struggles, and seeking new perspectives * Recognizing the importance of community in reducing isolation and realizing shared experiences * Setting explicit boundaries and needs for personal well-being Links: * Watch this episode on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy/videos/471458611941506/ [https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy/videos/471458611941506/] * Watch this episode on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/events/podcastlivestreamwithmelissacox7198400028728573952/comments/ [https://www.linkedin.com/events/podcastlivestreamwithmelissacox7198400028728573952/comments/] * Watch this episode on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAIpKTn3yCo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAIpKTn3yCo] * Join Art Church - https://cindyingram.com/art-church/ [https://cindyingram.com/art-church/] * Enroll in the Art Connection Circle - https://cindyingram.com/circle [https://cindyingram.com/circle] * Buy my Book - Art Is About Being Whole: A Memoir - https://geni.us/ArtIsAboutBeingWhole [https://geni.us/ArtIsAboutBeingWhole] * Art and Self on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/artandself/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyzermingram/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@artandself]  *   Melissa Cox's Contact Info * Facebook: Melissa Cox - https://www.facebook.com/melissa.cox.7549 [https://www.facebook.com/melissa.cox.7549]  * Facebook Page: Living With Disaster - https://www.facebook.com/livingwithdisasterArtist [https://www.facebook.com/livingwithdisasterArtist]  * Facebook Group: Living With Disaster - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2154024138072188/ [https://www.facebook.com/groups/2154024138072188/]  * Instagram: living_with_disaster Get full access to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram at cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe [https://cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

In this episode, I chat about what I have been up to, tell you about the new(ish) format for the show, and explore a work by my favorite artist, Naudline Pierre, through the lenses of Internal Family Systems and Shadow Work.   Links: * Watch this episode on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy/videos/765619205553447 [https://www.facebook.com/artandselfcindy/videos/765619205553447]  * Watch this episode on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:7197299338065186817/ [https://www.linkedin.com/video/live/urn:li:ugcPost:7197299338065186817/]  * Watch this episode on YouTube -  https://youtube.com/live/xuN9_FL93U0 [https://youtube.com/live/xuN9_FL93U0]  * Join Art Church -  https://cindyingram.com/art-church/ [https://cindyingram.com/art-church/] * Enroll in the Art Connection Circle -  https://cindyingram.com/circle [https://cindyingram.com/circle] * Buy my Book - Art Is About Being Whole: A Memoir -  https://geni.us/ArtIsAboutBeingWhole [https://geni.us/ArtIsAboutBeingWhole]  * Allison Crow [https://allisoncrow.com/] * Eisley Hallows Shadow Study [https://eisleyhallows.com/] * No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz [https://amzn.to/3K6waqc] ** affiliate link Get full access to Art and Self with Cindy Ingram at cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe [https://cindyingram.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]