SELF-DISCOVERY THROUGH ART JOURNALING

Claire O’Leary

After the short grounding meditation, we were to start writing or go to the pile of magazines and start flipping through until we found something that was brought to our attention color, a word, phrase, photo. “Don’t think about it” she said, “just tear out the page.”

When we were done writing and tearing pages, we were to begin gluing things together on the poster board.

The other instruction of note is that we didn’t critique one another’s work the way we had in my graphic design class. We simply looked at each other’s pieces and acknowledged each other. We said “thank you.” Not “it’s beautiful” (even if it was), not “have you considered”… (even if there was room for improvement). Just “Thank You” – a simple acknowledgement and gratitude for the other person

I followed the instructions to the letter. (A long-standing habit from my days of abuse, though I didn’t realize it at the time.)

When I was done, I noticed that most of the pages I tore out with the bright green and vibrant red and yellow colors were food. I giggled at myself at first, then I realized that all the food looked fresh and was beautifully arranged and “oh, so appetizing.” Many were deserts made with fresh fruit.

After my collage was completed, I realized that I’d been searching for a healthier way of eating for several months. Well, here it was. :)

Adding this method of art journaling to my personal repertoire created many self-discoveries. I included the process as part of my workshops for women because I’d had such profound realizations when I used it for myself. In fact, during one of my first workshops, I did the art journaling process along with my students. I closed my journal when my process was complete with no intention of sharing. After everyone had shared, my students wanted to see what I had created. It was a simple stick figure drawing of myself standing in the doorway as a little girl. I’d used yarn to represent the knot in the pit of my stomach as I stood there getting in trouble. But, when I opened my journal, the knot had been torn out of my stomach and was attached to the other page.

In that moment, I realized that old knot had finally been removed because of all the work I’d been doing to heal from my own sexual abuse.

It led me to share my story in public for the first time and I discovered that several others in the workshop had also been abused.

The process is simple, but getting ourselves grounded through meditation or movement and being in a centered space before we begin the process of art journaling is important for the maximum outcome.

About The Author

Claire O'Leary, Speaker, Mentor, Advocate

Founder of The Empowered Voice and Voices Heard, Claire O’Leary is a survivor of incest. She created Voices Heard as a safe space for survivors of sexual abuse to share their story so they can shatter the silence of their sexual abuse. She is an advocate, speaker and mentor. Claire’s mission is to lower the average age a CSA (child sexual abuse) suvirvor discloses their abuse from age 58 to age 18.

She is also a Reiki Master, artist, and loves to dance her heart out whenever possible. Find Claire on Facebook, and Instagram