{via etsy by Laura Lehto}

Every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit that helps boost your body image, whether directly or indirectly — and hopefully kick-starts the week on a positive note!

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

Sometimes, the best way to boost our body image doesn’t have anything to do with body image at all.

It has to do with participating in activities that engage our senses and bring us joy. That remind us that we can use our bodies for more than decoration. That remind us that we can have fun and create something magical regardless of our size, shape, weight or looks.

And many times, when we’re having a bad day, we need that reminder. We need to take it easy and enjoy ourselves.

What gives us that reminder?

Creating. Using our brains, bodies, hearts to create, whether we intend to create something specific or just play with different materials and mediums. Whether we create a delicious meal, a card for a close friend, a blog post, a piece of clothing, a painting, a song, a garden.

For Psych Central I get to interview many people about their creative process — and I get to write about creativity, too. For instance, a while ago, I started a monthly interview series called “How I Create,” which features one person sharing their inspirations and insights on living and breathing their creativity.

Today, I wanted to share some of these interviews and articles, which I hope will inspire you to engage your creativity, to play.

This way, the next time you’re feeling bad about your body, you choose to engage in creating, instead of engaging in self-critical comments.

You choose to channel any frustrations and other emotions into play or a project; into your hands, which start sculpting, sewing, scribbling or stretching; into your voice, which starts singing, chanting or reading your favorite poem aloud; into your feet, which start dancing or celebrating movement in other ways.

“How I Create” Q&As

These are some of my favorite interviews with…

Michelle Ward, a career coach known as the “When I Grow Up Coach”

Maya Stein, a poet and writer

Christine Mason Miller, an artist and author

Samantha Reynolds, a poet and writer

Susannah Conway, an author, e-course creator and photographer

Laura Simms, a career coach for creatives

Creativity Articles

20 Ideas from Creativity Connoisseurs to Inspire Your Imagination

One of the Biggest Barriers to Creativity + How to Overcome It

The Best Books to Spark Your Creativity

Try These 6 Creativity Prompts + Pointers

What activities bring you joy? What’s your favorite way to engage your creativity?

Tweet

Comments

This post currently has 0 comments.
You can read the comments or leave your own thoughts.

    Last reviewed: 2 Oct 2012