Episode 17 | Self Care & Creativity
Friday, June 14, 2024
Self-care is such a ubiquitous term that it's lost all meaning. We call everything self-care, from taking a bath to extravagant month-long vacations. But what is self-care, really? And what does it have to do with creativity? We are diving into it today.
Episode Topics
- The history of self-care
- Creative ways to engage in self-care
- Creativity is self-care
- Self-care helps you be more creative
The History of Self-Care
The research study, Development of a Self-Care Assessment for Psychologists, defines self-care as "a multidimensional, multifaceted process of purposeful engagement in strategies that promote healthy functioning and enhance well-being."
Even though it feels like self-care appeared in the zeitgeist out of nowhere, the concept has actually been around for a long time.
Here's a short summary of the historical timeline:
- 1950s: first appeared in the medical community through patient-centered care in institutional settings
- 1960s: expanded to community care during the civil rights movement, largely through the work of the Black Panthers
- 1970s: a 10 point program was developed by the Black Panthers as a way to emphasize the health of Black people as a way to stay healthy to fight for social justice
- 1980s-1990s: the concept of "wellness" was starting to gain traction and quickly became commercialized
- 2000s: 9/11 and the Great Recession happened, which further boosted the concept
- Today: the 2016 election saw a spike in Google searches and it's grown ever since
Categories of Self-Care
- Physical: exercise, hygiene and grooming, preventative health measures, your diet
- Mental: seeing a therapist, mentally stimulating activities
- Emotional: time to cry, processing emotions
- Social: meaningful connections and conversations, setting boundaries
- Spiritual: life purpose, religious practices
Benefits of Self-Care
- Reduction in anxiety and depression
- Stress reduction and improved resilience
- Improved happiness
- Increased energy
- Burnout reduction
- Stronger interpersonal relationships
How Creativity Relates to Self-Care
Creativity requires you to focus on yourself. And one of the ways to get creative is to allow for time and space. You have to be in silence, you have to focus your attention inward, and you have to engage your mind and your body in a particular task.
Self-care is related to creativity in that creative tasks are self-care. So whenever you are making a piece of art, that's a creative task, and you're also focusing on yourself and allowing yourself and what's going on with you to externalize onto the page.
Physical activities like dance and playing music also overlap as creative endeavors and self-care behaviors. Plus, we often have to be creative to even find the time and space to engage in these activities.
Creative Ways to Engage in Self-Care
The key is knowing yourself. What do you like? What activities make you feel better? It is easy to fall into the trap of seeing what other people do and assuming it will work for you. We don't all like the same things.
Look at the different categories of self-care to help generate ideas for what self-care looks like for you. Pay special attention to categories where you are lacking.
As an added bonus, take The Wheel of Life Assessment.
The Four Q's
During this show segment, we introduce four ways to interact with the material presented: A question to answer, a quest to complete, an aspect of creativity we've noticed this week, and a quote to ponder.
Question:
What is your favorite form of self-care?
Quest:
Take a look at what you are currently doing in the name of "self-care." Is it really self-care? Is there something you could be doing instead?
Quality Creativity:
Evie does group self-care at work.
Quote:
"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
- Anne Lamott
Have a Creative Week!
Resources & Deeper Reading
Dorociak, K. E., Rupert, P. A., Bryant, F. B., & Zahniser, E. (2017). Development of a Self-Care Assessment for Psychologists.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64(3), 325–334. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000206
Silk and Sonder: The Powerful History of Self-Care & How to Honor it Today
Slate: A History of Self-Care
Very Well Mind: 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life
Episode Credits
The Everyday Creative is hosted by Evie Soape and Emily Soape. It is produced by Emily Soape.
Please drop us a comment or question at hello@theeverydaycreativecollective.com. You can also find us on Instagram @theeverydaycreativecollective and Pinterest.
Theme Music: “Living Life” by Scott Holmes Music. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at Free Music Archive.
Break Background Music: "Alive In It" by Ketsa. Available for use under the CC BY 3.0 license at Free Music Archive
Hi, we're Evie & Emily
Co-founders of The Everyday Creative Collective
We believe that everyone is creative. Creativity can be used to enrich everyday life. Click here to learn more.
