How to Turn Sadness into Creativity

How to Turn Sadness into Creativity

Last update: 08 January, 2019

Sadness is an emotion we can feel at any given moment. It can lead to great discomfort and difficult times. However, we can also use it as a self-help tool. In this regard, we can even turn our sadness into creativity.

Many believe that happiness is a permanent state. Consequently, this makes people believe that feeling sad is bad. However, that’s not always the case. There are times for each emotion, which is why it’s important to allow ourselves to feel and express all of them. Thus, sadness is a necessary emotion we can also take advantage of.

Since this emotion is also a part of life, you can learn a lot from allowing yourself to be sad. Everything depends on your perspective and the attitude you adopt.

In this article, we teach you how to transform sadness into creativity.

1. Connect with yourself

Many times, we find it hard to accept sadness because we think we always have to be okay. Namely, we believe that feeling sad is a bad thing, and this can lead to guilt. However, if we allow ourselves to feel this emotion, we can connect with our essence and create unique things.

Turn sadness into creativity through art therapy.

Turning sadness into creativity consists of taking advantage of that emotion to remodel our inner world by creating. Through art, we can transform this emotion by expressing what overwhelms us. In particular, we can express what we feel, think, or want to repair through our work.

“The most powerful art is to make pain a healing talisman. A butterfly is reborn in a festival of color!”

-Frida Kahlo-

Creativity comes from the depths of our being. For this reason, when we manage to connect with ourselves, it’ll be easier to evoke it. Sadness is often an intense emotion that’s linked to our most intimate aspects. Thus, once we’ve connected with our feelings, our creative side will come out. Connect with your emotions and let them flow!

You have the power to create and heal your emotional wounds. This process doesn’t have to be quick; you can get to know yourself little by little.

2. Choose a place where you feel comfortable

It’s easier to feel inspired if we’re in a place where we feel comfortable. Every person has their own corner of peace and harmony. Since we’re all different, that corner will depend on each one of us. There’s not only one option.

Out of all the places you know, think about the one where you feel most at ease. You can even choose a place you’ve never been to. Explore it and decide if it’s a pleasant space for you. The most important thing is to make sure it’s a space where you feel comfortable and where you can express your creativity to the fullest.

Choosing the right place is as easy as thinking of a place that’s welcoming. Where do you feel magic? Are you free to express everything you have inside in this place?

3. Select the medium that you like

Once you’ve found your place, start thinking about what kind of art you feel most comfortable with. There are many options such as theater, dancing, writing, painting, music, and more. What do you like the most? What do you feel comfortable with?

Here are some things you may need to turn sadness into creativity:

  • Choose a material you can paint on. Additionally, you’ll need colored pencils, paint, markers, charcoal, watercolors, etc.
  • Comfortable clothes to dance or act, accompanied by the music you like the most. Even for the arts that don’t require a lot of movement, feeling comfortable is really important.
  • Blank pages to compose a song, a poem, or a short story. You only need a pencil and some paper to create your best work. If you prefer, you can even use your computer.
  • Use your own body to make a play or a scene by using items that best suit you.
  • An instrument. Compose your own song or play one created by someone else. If you don’t know how to play an instrument, you can try singing.
  • Create art on your computer. Editing a video is a very fun option.
  • Make a sculpture of anything you want.
Dancing is a great way to turn sadness into creativity.

The ideas are endless. Just let your imagination fly and get to work!

4. Begin to express what you feel to turn sadness into creativity

To transform pain into art, let everything that you have inside flow and begin to explore your emotions. Once you’ve started the process, it’ll be easier to continue progressing. Namely, it’s about trying and trying until you feel your creative juices flowing. Then, you’ll be able to express everything you want and need.

Allow yourself to think about what’s tormenting you. Dare to be yourself and communicate everything you’re feeling.

Discovering whatever is hurting you is important. This way, you’ll be able to give it new meaning and learn from it. Another option is to let go of the thing that’s making you suffer.

If you feel you can’t start alone, don’t worry. You can turn sadness into creativity through art therapy. This is a form of psychological help that can lead you to well-being through art. It’s a fantastic way to help you get to know yourself better through creation. It’s all about finding the answer to your problems through artistic expression.

If you turn sadness into creativity, you can discover whatever is overwhelming you. Furthermore, art allows you to connect with yourself and explore your creativity. Most of all, it lets you capture your most intimate feelings.

Feel the sadness and let yourself be carried away by creativity. Build, change, and let the deepest parts of your being flow freely. Turning sadness into creativity can be as easy as opening your mind and accepting that pain is an emotion that can also benefit you.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

-Thomas Merton-


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.