For centuries, people have been using art to process their emotions. It can be challenging to articulate and express your feelings; for some people, art is the easiest way to do that. Art is a form of self-expression and understanding, which is something many people struggle with in their lives.
On top of that, looking at beautiful things can make you a more straightforward person to be around! A study by Yale University found that even just viewing paintings temporarily increased positive attitudes and helped participants feel more optimistic.
How Do I Use Art to Improve My Life?
You can use art to improve your life in many ways, but the first step is getting involved with art itself! Like any self-development, you need to start where you are. This means taking the first few steps in developing your artistic side.
Having a picture of yourself with your two favorite colors or a quote you love on your desk can help you see yourself in a more positive light.
Please keep your eyes open for different art forms and return to them! It’s also important to find art that is meaningful to you. You don’t want to be trying to force yourself into something that doesn’t work for you, and this can be especially hard if you’re not sure what you like yet.
Art can be as simple as buying a poster or canvas of your favorite movie or something much more intricate, like making your movie poster. Choose a medium and style you like and follow it for some time to see if you like it.
Once you’re in the art world, try new things! Take an art class at the community college, join an art group at school, or start drawing. You’re sure to find something you like done in a way you never thought.
Maybe you’ll take a painting class and realize that you love painting, or maybe you’ll realize that painting isn’t quite for you. You never know until you try, but the whole point of your life is to explore, discover new things about yourself, and grow. Art is one compelling way to do this.
What Are Some Ways to Get Involved?
Now that you know why art is so influential and essential, you must figure out ways to get involved. Here are some ways to use art in your life:
Keep a journal – Writing is one of my favorite activities, and I highly recommend it to anyone trying to improve their life. As I mentioned earlier, writing can be seen as an art form.
Try putting some adverse, stressful events into a journal and see how they make you feel. Try writing positive, happy things in your journal to see what you like better. Write inspirational quotes on your desk – You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on art supplies every few months!
A simple piece of paper or a marker can do the job just fine. Please keep it on your desk and look at it when you wake up in the morning, before work, and when you get home. Do something artistic – There are many ways to get involved, and many don’t cost money! Join an art class, or learn how to draw free hand and doodle.
You can even try painting straight out of the tub! Doodle while you watch TV and see how much you enjoy it. Whether it’s doodling or doing something with your hands, the point is to find a form that works for you and explore it.
This may be challenging if you’re an introvert, but try going somewhere without your phone and looking at the art on the walls. Or try going to a local art supply store and looking at all the paint colors.
Buying art supplies doesn’t mean you’re committing, so don’t worry about spending money if you decide it’s not your thing. The point is to try it and see how you like it.
It’s ok to start small and try new things, but if you don’t like something, don’t keep doing it. Find what works for you and follow that path. If an art experiment doesn’t work out, no matter the reason, feel free to move on to the next thing!
If you love doing it, keep going! Keep trying new things, and don’t fear failing or looking silly in front of other people.