Artistry is a state of mind. The jewels that are produced are the by-products of the pressure cooker exploding; the remnants of what is left of the culinary eruption is what people, the outside world, deems art.
Women especially, undergo pressures to have to fit the bill, the norm – how to be, how to behave. Whether it’s about prescribing to a certain ideal of beauty, being successful in a work setting, or how to be a good mother. It’s hard to just be without external judgements from society at large, family, friends or even a partner. Please, this is not discounting the pressures men have to endure, it is not. But, it’s fair, that as women, we have to live in what is essentially a man’s world and survive, and often it’s not so easy.
Question to author: what’s this got to do with pain or artistry please?
We’re all in pain, we’re all suffering. We are. (It’s not up to me to go through your suffering, maybe a task for after dinner?) Either in small or big ways, and to express what we are going through is a task we’d much rather avoid. Often it can be challenging to find an outlet especially in an ever-increasing individualistic world. But where there is suffering there is an outlet for creativity.
Channeling creativity can be curative.
Self-exploration through arts and a number of creative mediums has been interesting and insightful, personally speaking. If it wasn’t auditioning for a theatre production last year, 12 Angry Women, I wouldn’t have met like-minded, wonderfully creative women. And, heightened personal growth, more friends, a new skill. A 45-page script, audiences of up to a 100 plus. If it wasn’t for theatre and meeting Nila, most likely this piece would not be entering the ether and your consciousness right now.
Pain is about growth; growth is about pushing boundaries; pushing boundaries is about exiting and destroying your comfort zone until taking risks becomes the daily bread. It’s not a feat that comes naturally straight away, and sometimes working to pay the bills, surviving, is the day-to-day reality. Start small though.
Acceptance of self doesn’t come easy when society is constantly driving you to be someone.
Our external conditioning makes us believe we need to reach a certain standard, a level, and if we haven’t well, we’re not good enough. “How old are you? Oh, you are not married? Why not?” Pressures. I am not good enough. My friends all have children and husbands, and look at me.
Focus on your own journey, focus on your own endeavors.
Drown out other people’s noise and listen to your inner voice. Explore yourself creatively. Anything that can take you back to yourself: gardening, drawing, acting, writing, sewing. We are creative beings we need to nourish our creativity in order to help ourselves, and others.
Start blooming your artistry today.
Written by Asha Sudha
Asha is a nomadic poet, writer, traveler type being interested in people, arts (visual, literary) creativity and spirituality to name a few.
Follow her personal blog Asha Sudha on Instagram @ashaisbrimful for poetry, travel and more self-exploration.
Indeed, and this is why art is also such a powerful and universal medium, it allows others, albeit in their own ways, to connect to that shared struggle in a deeper place.
Art is but an expression of emotion, often things too hard or too uncomfortable to speak about. Well said, well done!!