Finding Healing Through Art
In the last few years navigating family relationships has become, well, challenging, especially with current politics casting its shadow. Living in a multigenerational household, we’ve felt the strain of differing opinions and the impact of societal tensions on our relationships. Our youngest kids, who were teenagers when COVID hit, deeply connected to their fragile grandparents, faced the dual challenge of wanting to keep them safe while grappling with the anxiety of a world that kept feeling more divided.
Our extended family, once a source of support, became fraught with tension. Conversations that used to flow easily turned cold and tense, and social media feeds filled with polarizing views. It was disheartening to see cousins who had once been close exchanging only curt comments or avoiding each other altogether. This discord quickly began to affect our kids, who were not only dealing with the loss of friendships but also the emotional toll of watching loved ones disagree on fundamental issues.
Amid this chaos, I turned to art as a way to process my own feelings. Painting became therapeutic for me, allowing me to reflect on and sort my emotions and learn to keep them from spilling out in frustration. Through the act of creating art, I aimed to model for my kids the importance of understanding our feelings and communicating openly. I wanted to show them that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, and that creativity can be a powerful tool for understanding and healing.
I felt a shift within myself. I learned to embrace my emotions rather than suppress them. This journey through art helped me realize that while we may not always agree, our family bond remains vital. By sharing my experiences with my kids, I tried to foster a space where they can also express themselves freely, even as they navigate the complexities of differing beliefs and emotions.
Healing and growing is possible, even amid societal upheaval. As we continue to face a divided world, I believe our shared experiences can lead to deeper connections and understanding.
Grace and Emotion