Creative ways to feel better
Art can be a great way to express yourself or let out difficult feelings. Try our ideas to help you get started.
How art can help
Art is a great way of showing how you’re feeling. You could create something just for you, let other people see it, or use it to start a conversation. It can help when you’re struggling to find the words to say how you feel.
You don't have to make things you think others will like, and focusing on just making something can help you to feel more in the present. It can be good to create something you can see afterwards.
There’s no right or wrong way to make art. You could write, draw, or create something. You can do whatever feels right. Getting into the habit of creating things can make it easier in the future, and it can be something you plan to do if things are feeling difficult.
Write things down
Writing can be a way to make sense of your thoughts, feelings, or something that’s happened. You could write about things in your life, or create worlds from your imagination.
Write a story
There are lots of ways writing can help, and it’s a great skill to build up over time. You could write something short, or keep adding to a story bit by bit. You could write:
- an event that’s happened in your life
- a fantasy world, or something far away
- stories about characters you like in films or TV
- poetry, or song lyrics that tell a story.
If you’ve written about something in your life, it can help to think about how it would feel showing someone else. You could even send it in a message to Childline.
Lots of young people share their stories and get creative on the message boards, which can be a great place to get some inspiration.
Start a journal
Journalling is when you keep a record of the different things that happen in your life, how you’re feeling, and any thoughts you’re having.
Writing things down regularly can help when you’ve been feeling low or stressed. It can help you to think about the things that have been happening and see them in new ways, it can also make it easier to see patterns or triggers for difficult feelings.
You can keep a journal as much or as little as you want, but lots of people find it helpful to keep it daily. Some people like to draw or doodle in their journal as well.
You could try keeping a journal yourself, or try using the Mood Journal to save one with your Childline account.
Drawing and painting
Draw to distract yourself, express how you’re feeling, or keep your hands busy. Remember that it doesn’t have to be something you show other people and it isn’t about whether it’s “good enough”.
Draw anything you like or try our ideas to get started.
Start doodling
Doodling doesn’t need any preparation, and you can do it any time to take a break, focus, or give your hands something to do. You can use the art box, or just have a pen and a piece of paper.
Take a moment to notice the weight of the device you’re holding, and how the screen feels when you draw on it. If you’re using pen and paper, notice how the pen feels in your hand when it’s ready to draw.
Try drawing simple shapes, marks, or whatever you like. You could try to fill the whole page or screen or just focus on a small area and go outwards. If you like, try closing your eyes and just focusing on the noises and sensations of making the picture.
Take as long or as little time as you like, and when you’re done take a few moments to sit quietly and take a few slow, deep breaths.
Draw yourself as a superhero
Superheroes can have amazing abilities, and they use them to help anyone in need. Create your superhero using the Art box or on paper, think about:
- what powers will you have
- the colours for your costume
- a logo and your superhero name
- where you’ll be.
When you’re drawing yourself as a hero, try imagining what you’d do to help people and how you’d make a positive difference to people. You could also think about how you’d use your powers in your life now.
Why not show your picture to someone you care about or trust? If you create an account before using the Art box, you can save it privately and share it with a Childline counsellor.
Create something
Art isn’t just about writing and drawing, and there are lots of ways to get creative and express yourself. There are lots of ways to create something new:
Origami
Origami is a type of art where you fold paper into different shapes. There are lots of things you can make using origami, but making a swan is an easy one to start with.
You’ll need a square piece of paper. To make an origami swan:
- Fold the paper in half to make a triangle, then unfold it so you’ve got two halves.
- Fold each lower edge of the square into the fold in the middle so that it looks like a kite. Turn the paper over.
- Fold each flap into the middle. It should still look like a kite, but thinner.
- Fold the thin point of the kite up to the top, and then fold that down so that the tip is touching the bottom of the paper again – this is the neck and head of your swan.
- Turn the paper over again and fold it in half.
- Pull the swan’s ‘neck’ out, and you’ll have an origami swan!
Keep your hands busy by making as many origami swans as you can.
Make a collage
A collage is a piece of art made by sticking photos, pictures, words, or anything else onto a piece of card or paper. You could also make one using images in the Art Box.
You could make a collage of your hopes and dreams, the things that stress you out, or even all the things that help you cope or feel better.
Getting help
Sharing how your art is making you feel can help you to feel better. If you’re struggling to create something or it’s bringing up difficult feelings, then it’s important to talk about it. Other people can also help give you ideas for the future.
You could try showing your creations to someone you trust, or talk about it to a Childline counsellor.
Want ideas for a new creative project? Try asking other young people on the message boards.
