The dance might feel different but it’s the same choreography
- May 4, 2022
- 3 min read
Things we do when we can’t talk it through: getting creative in the name of self discovery
charcoal on paper while dancing (yes, actually)
“because recovery is HARD”
said the therapist
how often do we think we have reached a new place only to discover that we are still clutching so hard to the old that what we thought was a bold and brave reach is really only a nimble stretch?
and
poing!
back we bounce to where we once were
where we usually are
when we cling to the definitions of the past
which is what we do
when we are too scared to step into the present and dream of a future
which is more often than we care to admit
”brainwashing”
she calls it
“trauma”
”abuse”
big words
for people who feel so small in their wake
so we dance again
this time more weary
this time more frantic
this time more scattered
this time more determined
this time more intentional
this time more willful
this time more confused
this time
this time
this time
this time will be
this time will be
this time will
hurt more than last time
“because recovery is HARD”
said the therapist
“trust the process”
she says
please observe
our newold dance
please allow our body voice
it started out brave and strong and then it hurt deep and hard
and here we are again
only this time
this time is more
this time will be
this time
please
ok
Often growth feels like going in circles. But, if you look carefully, there’s a new dance emerging …
art by Terri as she danced with full emotion of the day
words by Kendall and Margaux
scene by Maddie - please imagine it as you would your own (thank you🥰)
How Are You Doing?
Can't talk it out? Can you draw it? Squiggle it? Dig holes into the couch? Burn something (safely!). Blow a dandelion and watch it scatter?
anything and everything matters
If it comes from you, it is IMPORTANT
We are in this together
The Very Human Beings
Come Along: What is this and how to join in?
Sometimes words just don't express, do they? Or sometimes they do but not as conversation or talk. We often get very lost trying to articulate in everyday sentences. So we turn to art, music, film, sound, metaphor, creative dialogue, prose, you name it. Whatever will help us take "it" from "that" to "this".
You know what is the most amazing thing about humans? Every single one of us is a creative being. Every single one of us has the ability to express ourselves creatively. If you haven't already tried, give it a go and experience the freedom it brings. It's breathtaking, we promise!
What's that? You are not an artist? You can't? Who told you that? For me it was my grade 1 classroom teacher and my grade 5 music teacher. Who was it for you?
Here – throw egg in their face!
Come on, we have even garnished it for you!
CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN'T. CAN
Grab whatever you have at your fingertips and dig deep into your pockets of all you can and let's help each other say what some days we just can't.
As always, feel free to riff off ours if you are stuck. In fact, we would LOVE that.
If you're feeling brave, post your versions in our comment feed so others can be inspired too. Or upload to your own social media (be sure to use our hashtags - #veryhumanthings - so we can find each other). Either way, make sure to comment on posts by others and encourage one another as we find new voices.
The only rules are: RESPECT!
See you in there!
Kendall et al
Comments