Shock. Pain. Denial. Anger. Acceptance? While the first four stages of grief are easy to understand, for those who have recently lost someone that they love, the idea of coming to a point of acceptance about their loss may seem like a far-off concept that they may never reach.
Grief does not follow a fixed sequence. Creative activity may give some people a way to record memories or spend time with difficult feelings, while others may not want to make anything at all.
Regardless, art therapy and other types of counseling are quite beneficial to help someone navigate the treacherous waters of grief. Art therapy, expression, and creativity are powerful ways to help you work through the intense feelings that come with the territory of bereavement.
Art is an expression of individuality and creativity
Art therapy has been proven to help people who are struggling with the grieving process. Why is there a connection between loss and creativity? Both of these are very essential parts of the entire human experience. According to Dr. Shelley Carson, who is a lecturer at Harvard University and the author of “Your Creative Brain, Seven Steps to Maximize Imagination, Productivity, and Innovation in Your Life,” creativity might be the best way out of grief.
Dr. Carson explains that everyone has the ability to be creative. “Some of us just express it more robustly,” Carson explains and describes the two different types of creativity:
- Innovative creativity - Carson believes this type of creativity is best suited for problem-solving.
- Expressive creativity - Carson believes this type of creativity can use negative energy and channel it into creative work as a way to deal with loss or trauma.
Another clinical psychologist, Henry Seiden, Ph.D., agrees with the opinion of Carson and he states, “Creativity is the essential response to grief.”
How grief impacts the brain
Carson also goes on to explain that the experience of sadness has been shown to deactivate the left prefrontal areas of the brain relative to the right prefrontal areas. The left hemisphere of the brain is responsible for positive emotions such as joy and hope and the right hemisphere of the brain is responsible for more negative emotions such as anxiety and worry.
The people quoted here describe creativity as one possible response to loss, not a predictable neurological effect or a treatment. Someone may have no creative energy at first, return to an earlier interest later, or never find this approach useful.
This exact scenario was true for Monique Malcolm, who is a creative coach and entrepreneur who had a brother who died unexpectedly at 26. She explains that initially following her loss, there was no creative energy. A little while afterward, she said a creative burst came upon her. Malcom explains that she remembers thinking to herself, “There are all these things I want to do creatively, and now’s the time to do it.” Her brother’s death served as a wake-up call for her and a reminder that time is precious and not guaranteed.
Nurturing her creativity quickly became a form of self-care for Malcom. “I had to set my feelings aside so that [my family] could be more OK and more comfortable—and I was angry,” she explains. “It made me feel good to do that craft show or tradeshow or make things because it was something that I fully chose for myself.”
Cremation diamonds help you express creativity
Writing, making a photograph album, drawing or choosing an object can help someone record memories when that activity feels natural to them. The value comes from the person’s own reasons for doing it, not from a promised emotional result.
One way you can do this is by having some of the cremated ashes of a loved one transformed into a genuine diamond that’s just as unique as the departed. Did they love animals? Was their favorite colour blue? Did they have a favorite shape or style of jewellery?
Choose from the current carat ranges, colours and cuts, then decide whether to keep the diamond loose or place it in a compatible setting. The new online shop is being prepared; meanwhile, the UK team can share the current jewellery catalogue and discuss a custom design.
Current cuts include Brilliant, Princess, Radiant, Pear, Emerald, Oval and Marquise. Current colours are orange-yellow, yellow-green, purple, blue, white, pink and black. See the diamond colour guide to compare the tint ranges.
Once you’ve decided on the colour and shape of your diamond, next comes the fun part. If you browse the Heart in Diamond website, you will find cremation jewellery in several styles, including:
- Pendants;
- Earrings; and
- Rings.
These different types of jewellery are available in a huge range of shapes and designs to choose from. Furthermore, if you simply cannot find the right style that perfectly represents your loved one, you can also order a loose diamond and have it set in the custom jewellery selection of your choice at a local jeweller.
Being able to creatively commemorate the life of a loved one can help you along the way during the grieving process by promoting a sense of comfort and satisfaction.