Humans are designed to be creative; we can’t help it. But how can you re-grasp your creativity when it feels like it is torn away from you? How can you feel creative when you feel the only thing that helped influence your creative side was substance use? There are various ways to manage and control your creativity, even after undergoing addiction treatment.
Creativity has various benefits, including enhancing the connections between individuals, providing helpful activities during treatment and recovery, and so many more. Many people in the world believe their creativity is enhanced when they drink or use substances. While that may feel true, it is actually their perception of creativity that gets altered.
To explain that more, think about the concept of perception. Perception is how one perceives events, situations, and more based on their opinions or outlooks. Perception is altered through various means and can be influenced by outside factors, like people, places, things, or events. Perception is easily distorted, especially when substances are involved.
As humans, we need perception because it helps us understand our reality. Perception is a key to growth. It is both a blessing and a curse, especially in recovery. What you once thought was the real you may not seem like it anymore. Your perception of who you were before addiction recovery changes because you chose to better yourself.
The same goes for creativity. When you choose to influence your creativity with substances, the perception of creative flow changes. However, when you remove substance use, you may feel creatively withdrawn or like something is missing. The only missing thing, though is your perception of creativity.
Since perception is easily influenced, finding a way to gain a similar perception of your creativity without substances is the way to establish your control over your creative process. Your creativity has not changed! Creativity is a part of you, and you just need to tap back into that perception, but this time, without substances.
There are many ways to align your mindset with your creative flow. In more ways than not, you will notice creativity is more enhanced without substances than with them.
For example, take a look at two flowers. The flowers have a color they are going to be, right from the start of the seed. Now, one flower is introduced to chemicals, and the color alters as it grows. However, once the chemicals are removed, the colors change back. The other flower grew with normal conditions and still ended up with the same color.
What was the difference? The perception. The first flower was chemically altered, changing its colors as it grew. That flower may have believed it required the additional chemicals to create that different color. Over time, the chemicals adjusted those colors, but the base color was still there. Once the chemicals were removed, the flower could restore itself to the bright color it was meant to be. Yes, the first flower may have strayed from its path, but once the substances were removed, it flourished and regained its true color. The second flower used the resources naturally and ended up with the same colors. Both flowers had their creative colors embedded in them all along. The same goes for creativity.
Your creativity has always been there, you just tapped into it with chemicals. Now, that you are removing the chemicals, your creativity can flourish as it was meant to be from the beginning. You only need to find the inspiration to change your perception. To do this, you need a clear mindset. Since substances alter your mental clarity, removing them is the first step.
The next step is finding resources that naturally enhance that creative side. You will be amazed at the results you come up with when substances are removed. Your creative side is just like the bright flower: you have had it all along. This time, you are changing your perception and adjusting your mental clarity.
Lastly is the ability to tap into creativity and utilize all the resources around you to inspire creative control. Yes, you can express your creativity in addiction recovery. You can even enhance it because your mental state is more vivid than it was before.
In the early stages of recovery, you'll experience negative and positive emotions. You may start feeling overwhelmed with those feelings and want to go back to the previous you who filled themselves up with external sources to inspire creative flow. However, controlling your emotions and perceptions by expressing them through creativity is an approach that holds many advantages in addiction recovery.
Some creative outlets, like art therapy, can influence your perception of yourself and align you with the right outlets to boost your creative flow, all while teaching you how to control your emotions.
At NorthStar Transitions, we provide a safe space to recover from substance use. Our clients learn different methods and outlets to express their creativity in life. Our mixture of therapeutic approaches can vary from cognitive therapy and health and wellness activities to art therapy and more. These tools help our clients to regulate their emotions in a positive way. If you have a difficult time expressing yourself or controlling yourself, learning more about a creative approach in addiction recovery can get you outside of the box and give you a new light you need to begin a healthier path. A creative therapy approach teaches you how to process your emotions and reactions, all in a creative, safe, and secure atmosphere. We care about you and your creative perception. The creative therapy approaches we use can help you break through the emotions and overcome any challenges that come your way. Call us today at (303) 558-6400.
