Changing Lives: Creativity as a Survival Strategy and Spiritual Practice

Nathalie’s I Am Alive book includes art that she created from her hospital bed while undergoing painful round-the-clock radiation treatment. She could only move her arms and feet. Oil pastels enabled her to paint emotions as layers of different colors; she then used a bamboo pencil to scratch words into them.As she struggled to recover from that ordeal, she also struggled with depression. She wanted to die, just as I did when I experienced a severe depression a few years ago. We both found creativity (in my case, writing) and time in nature essential to our survival and spiritual health. We share our stories and the spiritual practices that continue to sustain us. We also share what loved ones did when we were hurting that was NOT helpful: tried to cheer us up, pressured us to do things we didn’t want to or couldn’t, and told us we should be more grateful. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, please seek help from a medical or mental health professional. For 24/7 help in a crisis, call 911 or 988 in the United States; go here for a list of helplines in other countries.P.S. Want additional support as you deal with challenges to your mental and spiritual wellbeing? Get my free “Depression and Anxiety Survival Kit” here. Get information about private coaching (via Zoom) here. Note: I am not a licensed medical or mental health professional, my suggestions are not medical advice, and I cannot diagnose or treat mental illnesses. I offer peer support that is not a substitute for professional help. Get full access to Changing Lives at wendigordon.substack.com/subscribe