Befriending Abstract Art to Manage Stimulation and Overwhelm in HSPs by Dr. Pranita Rao
Guest Post
© Dr. Pranita Rao
As a highly sensitive person (HSP), stimulation is an area of my life that requires a considerable amount of attention. We, as HSPs, are either understanding ways to avoid, decrease, or manage stimulation and stimuli in our environment. It is easy for highly sensitive people to become stimulated and overwhelmed with over usage of electronics, books, news, and the content on the internet.
I have high awareness and sensitivity to the above-mentioned stimuli. So, I kept reducing the time I spent around these stimuli. After a while, I had two realizations:
I had some free time on my hands.
Even though I wasn’t surrounding myself with external stimuli, I still had emotions, information, thoughts, and energies that were being processed in my body and mind.
I needed a tool that could fill that empty time in my schedule and support me in processing the data that was trying to be processed.
That is when I found art.
That is when I found abstract art.
When I first began painting, I did not pressure myself to draw specific lines, or shapes or use particular colors. I used different types and sizes of paper and my heart-chosen colors to express what was required to be processed. It was a freeing experience. It was new and exciting!
Befriending abstract art has been one of the best things that has happened to me in my life. I have enjoyed painting my emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
In the beginning, I would notice a decrease in my inhibitions and stressors while I was painting. In general, I have observed that abstract art can decrease my overwhelm and support me with processing information or unprocessed experiences. It has been over a year since I made abstract art a daily ritual of my life. Now, I can see other positive effects, such as a feeling of rejuvenation, and I am certain that abstract artwork relaxes my nervous system and brings joy to my life.
The benefits of abstract art might differ from one HSP to another HSP. However, knowing that HSPs have strong creative talents, I am optimistic about HSPs enjoying abstract art and discovering soothing benefits from regular and repeated practice of abstract art. I particularly like the effect it has on thoughts. I find that using colors in a non-judgemental manner can lower one’s thoughts and can connect the artist with their inner self.
I am grateful to have found my artistic gift, as it has become a tool for me to cope with hardships in my day-to-day life. I am glad to have found an experienced art teacher who has added knowledge to my inbuilt creative curiosity. I have not had the opportunity to learn from another HSP art educator (as yet). It excites me to be in a position where my focus of work is conducting sessions specifically for HSPs and empaths. It makes me feel like I am living my dream of learning art from an HSP art educator by being an HSP art educator. It also gives me a sense of freedom to be able to share information about HSP experiences in relation to abstract art, creativity, and intuition with my HSP clients.
One might ask why an artistic educator or mentor is required for HSPs to practice abstract art. The truth is that art can be self-taught. However, my truth is that there is always more to learn, and more importantly, there is always more to learn if you are seeking support from an artistic educator who is also an HSP. There is the added benefit of the learning space becoming a respectful space for an HSP educator and learner to let their HSP magic be seen. It can be challenging to create a daily ritual of practicing abstract art. In such situations, it is an act of kindness to oneself to reach out to an art educator or guide. Many times, we just require someone to give us the space to be ourselves and be creative.
Today, I can say that I have found a non-judgemental friend in abstract art. It is my safe place; I rely on it to make me feel heard, seen, relaxed, and empowered. Hence, I encourage other HSPs to try guided abstract art. There is nothing to lose and only a friend to gain.
Dr Pranita Rao is a former dentist, published science author, creative intuitive, and a trained abstract artist. She encourages HSPs and empaths to manage their overwhelm, stimulation, and lack of expression through one-on-one abstract art sessions. As an HSP empath, she understands the effects of overstimulation and overwhelm. She began utilising her creative abilities to manage her own HSP traits, and it is supporting her in overcoming stimulation. She recommends one-on-one abstract art sessions for HSPs as it can enable them to hone their artistic abilities, creative thinking, and self-expression. To know more about her services, artwork, and her journey, visit her website: www.expressivesensitive.com. Dr Pranita Rao is now conducting practice sessions at a nominal rate, specially for the members in the Sensitive Empowerment community. To know more, visit the post shared in HSPs in heart-centered business community.
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Julie Bjelland, LMFT, is an HSP Psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, and founder of the exceptionally ranked Sensitive Empowerment Community. Julie's HSP Podcast is among the top 5% of the most shared and followed worldwide. Her online courses and free resources have helped millions of HSPs reduce the challenges of living with sensitivity, and her greatest joy lies in helping HSPs discover their significant value to the world. Julie's brain training program has proven to reduce anxiety within the first two weeks. Explore all her resources at JulieBjelland.com
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