24/05/2026
🎨 Even as an arts therapist I still find myself facing the inner critic... "it needs to look a certain way", "it's not good enough" etc. I'm definately not immune to or beyond these streams of thoughts, but they can become something powerful to reflect on metaphorically.
❣️ See the dark stem at the bottom of my drawing? It started out as a part that I didnt like visually as much as the rest. A mark that was made that didn't seem to flow, it seemed to go in a different direction and looked out of place. It felt uncomfortable.
🖤 So I filled it all up with black to make it look more deliberate, to try to make it feel more like it could fit in. Then it seemed to look even more out of place and I felt like I'd made a mistake and messed it up.
I even played with cutting it out of the photo to just share the part that I liked from an "artist's lens" with you, but then I became aware of what was actually happening beneath the surface.
✨️ I took some time to reflect on the meanings that had emerged, and symbolic nature of what I'd created. So that's what I'm sharing here instead...
• It was a catalyst for remembering.
• The uncomfortable parts are important.
• Awkwardness that feels like it stands out too much is valid.
• Being different belongs.
• Randomness is a gift that can often be overlooked or misunderstood.
• Unexpected directions may form new opportunities.
🌱 That dark, thick stem right at the bottom could be the oldest, strongest & wisest part that is holding it all together, supporting the rest to grow and honestly if you look at the actual image of the plant, it's probably true. Maybe the younger stems are even aspiring to be strong and bold just like that stem...who knows!
🫶 Symbols can mean many different things for many different people, but to me this highlighted and reminded me again of integrity and the true power of creativity and being ourselves.
🔍 There is always much to discover and work through during the process, and art isnt always about talent, making a pretty picture or learning special techniques.
😌 So this is the outcome of my little self-care walk that led to a therapeutic reminder of the importance of belonging, growth, individuality, validation and having the safety and courage to acknowledge the messy, awkward and uncomfortable parts at times.
🌈 Because with more of that what would we have? More connection and understanding of ourselves, each other and our truth. Our real selves - messy, random, awkward and all.
So I think I'll courageously add some colour next, because the beauty of diversity can be found everywhere in life everyday, and we don't have to feel like we should be prevented from experiencing it for the sake of fitting in.
✌️ With Peace & Creativity,
🌿 Tara Kate
