NOTE: I have had some time today to write as we waited for the tropical cyclone Alfred to arrive. The preparation and anticipation were full on over the last week, and in the end, it fizzled out, and we had a bit of wind and rain only. I am grateful to avoid any damage personally, but my heart goes out to those affected.

Okay, back to the story…

Three weeks ago, I was fortunate to travel with friends to watch Gabor Maté speak. If you don’t know Gabor, I encourage you to look into some of his writing. He is an 81-year-old Hungarian Canadian holistic physician with an authority on addiction, trauma, ADD and family systems; his most recent book was “The Myth of Normal”, and it is fairly profound – check it out if you can.

Anyway, as we drove home from the event, one of my friends said, “We see in others what we need to reflect on ourselves”, possibly more poetic than that, but the idea was that when we learn about others, we learn about ourselves.

So, Reader, why is this connection to others a key aspect in learning more about ourselves and our identity, and what makes this so important for our art-making, expression, and mental well-being?

Recently, I came across a study exploring how self-reflection and meaningful choices shape our sense of identity and belonging. The research suggests that reflecting on even small decisions can influence how we see ourselves and connect with others. Interestingly, it found that people who engaged in self-reflection developed a stronger sense of group connection, especially when their choices felt personally meaningful. However, this didn’t lead to exclusion or competition; instead, it reinforced a sense of belonging without needing to bring others down.

This offers big opportunities for our creativity.

When we make art in a group setting, we’re not just creating - we’re reflecting, connecting, and strengthening our sense of self in ways that working alone may not provide. It’s not just about what we create, but the meaning we give creating and the shared experience of doing it alongside others.

Have you ever thought that by sharing something you have made, people may mock or copy you?

What if someone calls you out or says you aren’t “good enough”? These fears often stop us from creating in the presence of others or sharing our experiences and art. However, when we push past this fear, magic starts to happen.

Said “magic” of shared experiences

So, it’s not actual magic but the beauty of belonging. According to research by Dishon et al. (2017), an experience becomes more meaningful when people create together. So why is this? Human beings are wired to move through life in groups or tribes, and by sharing creativity, we build deeper connections and a true sense of belonging. These group interactions increase our self-awareness and improve our social engagement.

Art-making, self-reflection and identity

Unpacking who we are as a person can be all-consuming for many of us deep thinkers. If you are like me, Reader, you will know that feeling of being kept up at night wondering what your purpose is, how you can live authentically, and why is it that life can feel so misaligned at times… Couple this with social expectations and self-judgement and it can be a wild ride out there!

However, when we engage in creative practices and art-making, we have a place to start genuinely expressing ourselves. Group art-making provides an open space for self-reflection, as we use the space to share and connect and receive feedback and support. Engaging in meaningful creative practice strengthens our sense of identity.

Community not competition

I admit that finding the right group setting can be a little challenging; you may have joined a committee, sporting group or other online subject group and just felt a sense of ‘ick, brother ewww’ even. Left asking yourself, who are these people, and why am I even here?

Clearly, not ALL groups are equal.

That is where community differs from a group. Community is a sense; it’s a feeling of connection, alignment, safety, and acceptance. A supportive container encourages self-expression without judgment, and members feel a strong sense of belonging without the pressure of comparison. Each person is celebrated in their own right while existing as part of a whole.

Creativity, social connection and mental well-being

Social connection and self-expression in group art-making can improve our mental well-being. If you have been around here for a while, you will know I have spoken frequently about the benefits of social connection for mental well-being. Studies have consistently shown that social connectedness is a significant protective factor against depressive symptoms and disorders for all adults (Wickramaratne et al, 2022). The known benefits of creative play and self-expression add even greater holistic health benefits to the mix.

Self-reflection for me

When I do my own self-reflective practice, I can see how Permission to Play and my other creative gatherings are a way that I too have expanded and grown as an artist and as a person. I know that the humans I get to connect with accept me in all my parts and especially lift me up when I have the wobbles around some creative work. In return, I provide a secure and safe space to support their growth and creativity. What is beautiful, is that this social connection, this belonging, this art-making in community, is exactly the thing we all need to support our mental well-being, and it’s available to us all.

How I can support you too...

I am currently working on offering some new in-person programs for local folk. However, I also have the ability to offer Zoom workshops to teams, community groups, schools and other settings as required. Please let me know if you are interested in discussing any of these ideas further. And finally, if you are ready to join PTP, now is the time. As of Monday, the new price will be in place, $35 AUD per month (still a bargain, obviously), but you can join today for the final time at $25 AUD per month.

Now is the time to do something for you and those you love and support. Click the button below, once the Evernote page is gone, that price is no more.

Any questions, as always, just reach out xox

Until soon.

With Kindness,
Delphie Joy xox

PS: This was a longer email. Did I keep your attention? I like to provide these insights to give you more to contemplate, and these longer-form emails hopefully support your personal and creative growth more. I will also be adding more longer form blogs to my soon-to-be slightly updated website!

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