Day 4 - Releasing negative emotions
Transformation
It’s time for the next step in the process.
You might have noticed that negative emotions won’t go away just because you say so. But we can acknowledge them and allow them to change and transform naturally. The intuitive mind responds to images much easier than it does to words.
It’s not about making your feelings disappear. You might have heard that energy doesn’t disappear but changes form. The same is true for emotions.
Transformation doesn’t mean denying or pretending
that an emotion doesn’t exist, it means looking at it
from a different perspective.
In this exercise, we will alter your original image or create a brand-new one in response to your original artwork. Either approach is fine.
Sometimes, we don’t feel like modifying the original image and want to preserve it. If this is the case, we create another image. Think of it as the second chapter in a story you are writing. If you’re comfortable with changing your existing artwork, allow yourself to choose this option.
Follow these six steps:
1. Reflect on what you wrote in response to your artwork.
Review your answers from the journaling exercise so you can reconnect with the insights you have received.
2. Engage with your Image
Look at your created image and imagine what it needs to feel “better.”
For example, if you have expressed your feelings as a tightly woven coil, maybe untangling it would feel better. Or maybe one part of the image needs more space to “breathe” or brighter colors.
3. Connect with your body
Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, connect with the part of your body where you are sensing the emotion, and then imagine what would change your current imaginary associations into a more positive image.
For example, if you pictured a grey color around your neck and shoulder area, maybe a hint of pink would make it more positive.
4. Continue with guided visualization
This guided visualization will help you connect to your inner knowing and discover what your image needs to be transformed.
5. Change your original image or create a new one
Once the new image is visualized, you can paint or draw it. You can paint over your existing artwork or start a new one on blank paper.
If you are not getting any images or colors, allow your intuition to guide you. Pick colors and materials you are drawn to, and just start instinctively drawing shapes and scribbles and filling them with color. Try not to question yourself; just let your hand move and see what emerges.
If you are ready for the next step you can move to the final exercise.