Mindfulness & Expressive Arts Activity

This activity is designed to guide you through a creative process that builds on the mindfulness warm-up. Follow the prompts below to explore your emotions through a variety of art forms. Let your creativity flow and use art as a tool to express how you feel.

Materials Needed

• Drawing paper or canvas
• Colored pencils, markers, paints, or collage materials
• A comfortable space to work that has been set up with calming music and a relaxed atmosphere

Instructions

1. Preparing Your Space

• Take a moment to settle into your work area. Sit comfortably and ensure you have all your art materials ready.
  
  
  
• Recall the mindfulness exercise from our slide deck: gently close your eyes, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to become fully present in the moment.

2. Guided Artistic Expression

• Focus on Your Emotions: Begin by reflecting on your current emotional state. Ask yourself: "What am I feeling right now?"
  
  
  

• Choose Your Medium: Whether it’s drawing, painting, or collage, select the medium that best allows you to express your feelings. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to create; the process is what matters.

• Express Through Color and Form: Consider using colors that represent your emotions. For example, blue might signify calmness, red could express intensity, and yellow might evoke happiness. Let your colors and shapes flow naturally on your paper or canvas.
  
  
  

• Mindful Reflection: As you create, continue to stay mindful of your breathing. If you feel overwhelmed or stuck, pause, take another deep breath, and simply observe any new emotions that surface.

3. Reflection and Self-Assessment

• Once you feel your artistic expression is complete, take some time to look over your work. Ask yourself the following questions:
  • What do the colors and shapes in my artwork say about my current emotions?
  • How did the act of creating help me process my feelings?
  • Was there a moment when you felt particularly connected to your inner self during this process?
    
    
    

4. Sharing and Group Discussion (Optional)

• If you feel comfortable, share your artwork with the group. Describe what you were feeling when you created it and how the process affected your mood. Listening to others can provide new insights and help validate your experience.

Follow-Up Questions

• How did you balance mindfulness and creative expression during this activity?
  
  
  
• In what ways did the act of creating art help you understand or manage your emotions better?
  
  
  
• What new emotions or thoughts emerged as you expressed yourself artistically?

We encourage you to take your time with each step. This activity is about exploring your inner world and using art as a way to communicate what words might not fully express.

Mindfulness & Expressive Arts Worksheet

This worksheet is designed to help you reflect on your creative process and the emotions you experienced during the Mindfulness & Expressive Arts activity. Please answer the questions below thoughtfully. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers—your honest reflections are what matter most.

Reflection Questions

1. What emotions did you experience while engaging in the artistic activity?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How did focusing on your breathing and mindfulness help you connect with your inner feelings?
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Describe how the colors and shapes you chose in your artwork represent your current emotional state.
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. What did you discover about yourself during this creative process?
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. In what ways did the act of creating art help you manage or understand your emotions better?
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. If you were to create another piece of art inspired by your emotions, what elements might you include differently and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   

Thank you for taking the time to reflect. Use this worksheet as a tool to understand and appreciate your inner experiences.