When I write about dealing with pain and transition, it is usually in relation to a break-up or divorce. However, the many emotions that still linger in the aftermath of our national tragedy need to be processed and managed in similar ways.
I recently sat down with two award-winning songwriters from New York City to talk about turning personal pain into art. Here are Michael Holland and Karen Mack's tips for getting creative with your grief:
1. Slow Down for a Second Too often we use activity and hectic scheduling to move past pain, never taking the time to really examine our feelings, reflect and understand the lessons learned.
"The wonderful thing about taking personal experiences and channeling them into a creative outlet is that you are slowing down enough to acknowledge your own emotional responses to the situation," says Mack.
2. Find Your Own Outlet "As professional singer/songwriters, we have both the luxury and burden of getting paid for a creative process that involves our own ups and downs," says Holland.
"My advice to those not in the artistic sector is to choose what feels natural," he says. "Don't add frustration by forcing yourself to write a song or paint a picture if it isn’t your forte."
Creative outlets can range from journal entries to crafts to gardening -- choose the outlet that most appeals to your nature.
3. Focus on the Process, Not the Benefits "You can't just sit down with the intention of writing a song to make yourself feel better," says Mack. "Focus on the process of creation and the benefits will make themselves apparent later."
"It's often months later, while rehearsing or performing a song, that I'll see clearly the lessons that the particular experience or feeling captured in the piece taught me," Holland adds.
Thus, the creative energy expended toward a project might not always create a clear moral or give crystal-clear answers, but the process can be a positive expenditure of that energy.
4. Mommy Always Said 'Share' "One of the most rewarding parts of the creative process for me is to share it with others," says Holland. "When they identify with or appreciate my song, it helps lessen feelings of isolation and create a sense of universality in relation to our emotional journeys."
"I also enjoy using other people's art to help soothe my feelings," adds Mack. "I often hear a song or see a painting that can bring back strong memories of a time when I relied on that piece for comfort or inspiration."
Whether it is the garden out back, a new recipe, a poem or a pencil drawing, sharing your creative outlet with others is a great way to spread the impact of turning pain into a masterpiece.
