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Does Anyone Even Have Artistic Self-Care Routines?
I didn’t practice artistic self-care routines for most of my life. After all, I didn’t think I was artistic. But don’t be like me. Even though I talk about artistic wholeness, I use the word ‘artistic’ because it fits in with the whole MAPS acronym for self-care. You might not feel artistic, but you are creative! Even if you think you don’t have a creative bone in your body.
For years, I equated art with drawing and painting. But art can happen anywhere. In the kitchen, with knitting needles or a crochet hook, behind the lens of a camera, on the dance floor, or even doodling during a meeting. When we bake time into our schedule for artistic self-care routines, we find it easier to de-stress, solve logical problems, and communicate with others.
Listen in to today’s podcast for a bonus chance to win a pair of AirPod Pros. I’m giving them away to help celebrate my 100th episode next week!
Show Notes
You read it right. We need to improve our artistic self-care routines. No artistic talent needed!
Army in Training Circular 25-20
Check out the benefits of doodling.
Theatre or drama (not the middle-school kind) can improve your mental acuity.
Dancing (a creative activity) may also improve your mental health, according to researchers.
Journaling (another creative endeavor) may improve a chronic pain sufferer’s mental health.
“These findings suggest that expressing anger may be helpful for chronic pain sufferers, particularly if it leads to meaning-making.”
Graham, Lobel, Glass, et al, Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Come Back Next Week
Join me next week for the 100th episode celebration! I’ll talk about one of my favorite subjects–physical self-care. For years, I didn’t think I had the time to take care of myself physically. Bad idea. Now I can’t sing the praises of physical self-care often enough!
Listen to today's Self-Care Hacks podcast for a chance to win a bonus entry into next week's giveaway! #selfcarehacks #inspirememonday Click To Tweet- Welcome to the Inspire Me Monday Community! The link-up opens Sundays at 4 pm, Arizona time.
- Link up your family-friendly inspirational posts (no more than two, please).
- Visit the person who links up BOTH before you and after you and leave a comment. This helps keep our community vibrant!
There have been seasons where I have a routine with creative journaling, but for the most part, I’d say I fail at having an artistic self-care routine. I appreciate your nudge to consider this more seriously.
Lisa notes recently posted…Why Do You Blog? Be Surprised —Grace & Truth Linkup
Well, you do write regularly ;), and that’s a creative endeavor!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 098 Hacks to Help You Improve Your Academic Self-Care Routines
I think of my writing as my art, but I would like to find time for music.
Michele+Morin recently posted…Why Should You Be Outraged by Crimes Against Humanity?
I agree. Artistic self care is so therapeutic. I love to bake, scrapbook or blogging. It’s amazing at how much it helps with psyche. Plus, I love the sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
Yes, art is everywhere, writing, drawing, painting, sewing, cooking, gardening….. I love it! Thank you for your inspiration.
Deborah Rutherford recently posted…Holy Spiritual Vision
I have always said I’m not artistic, too. But I think writing counts!
Lauren Sparks recently posted…End Stigma in the Church: Be Doers, Not Hearers Only
Art is a great self-care rejuvenator! I do some hand lettering, coloring, gardening, and free dance. Though I don’t do the later very much any more.
Lisa Blair recently posted…5 Ways to be Strong Imitators of Christ
Anita, wow! 100 Episodes! Congratulations, my friend! I love this topic. I never considered myself artistic. One of my sisters draws and paints beautifully. The other creates incredible nail art. But, I’m discovering photography is both an art form and therapy, and writing is as well.
Anita, I just listened to your podcast. Such practical helps. I love the way you are so intentional about making good changes for yourself and learning new things. You inspire me.
SO, this is a super old song, but I always find “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor gets me moving. 🙂
Art as self-care. Creativity and quiet and movement and color and texture. Love this lifeline God has gifted us with.
I love this idea of artistic self care, Anita! I have always needed an artistic outlet in order to stay sane. But I have always been a creative person. My husband, on the other hand, always said that he had no creativity. And then I started blogging and he became my photographer. We found his creative outlet there. He has also learned to give really great style advice, too! Just by forcing himself to do something creative, he found where he can be creative. And outfit photoshoots have become one of our favorite thing to do together as creative collaboration!
Shelbee
Once I started blogging, I let some of my other artistic pursuits fall to the wayside. Hopefully, I will rediscover some of them this summer.
Barb Hegreberg recently posted…Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan [REVIEW]
Congratulations on your 100th episode! I crave self-care time. Baking, art journaling, photography…I find them all very therapeutic but also energizing to get my other work done. In this season, I haven’t allowed it as much, which is really crazy as it is the most important thing. I look forward to listening to your podcast for the hacks!
Congratulations Anita! Humm, now that I think about it I guess I do incorporate some artistic self-care routines. I blog/write, craft, read, color in adult coloring books, do word searches and hidden-object puzzles, and cook and try new recipes. Great insights.
PaulaShort recently posted…Friendship— An Abode Of Both Reward And Sorrow