Growing Up with Words and Movement

Growing up, as an introverted and a shy girl, words were my closest companions, and books were my portals to other worlds. I spent countless hours curled up in corners, lost in stories, dreaming of characters and places far beyond my reach. Writing came naturally to me; it was how I made sense of my thoughts, giving them a home on the pages of my journals.

But there was another side to me, one that craved movement. Dancing was my escape, a way to express what I couldn’t put into words. The rhythm of music gave life to my emotions, and in those fleeting moments, I felt truly free. Writing, reading, and dancing each brought me joy, but I never imagined they could be connected. I never realized they were pieces of the same puzzle.

A Chance Discovery

That realization came much later, during a time of uncertainty. Life, as it often does, had become overwhelming—college, career decisions, relationships, and the endless question of What’s next? What am I even doing? weighed heavily on me. One day, while scrolling aimlessly online, I stumbled upon an article about expressive arts. The words “healing through creativity” and “integrating art forms” immediately caught my attention. Intrigued, I decided to learn more.

As I explored further, I discovered live sessions on social media hosted by an esteemed institution specializing in expressive arts. Listening to facilitators speak about the transformative power of combining movement, art, writing, and music was fascinating. It felt like they were describing everything I had always loved but had never thought to bring together. Watching those sessions ignited a spark in me, and I knew I had to experience it firsthand.

The First Workshop

The first workshop I attended was nothing short of magical. It began with a journaling activity. We were asked to write about a moment that had shaped us. As my pen moved across the page, I found myself unlocking emotions I hadn’t addressed in years.

Then came the music. The facilitator encouraged us to move freely, without judgment, letting the music guide us. For someone who had always loved dancing, this felt familiar but also different. This time, the movements weren’t for an audience or a performance. They were for me, and me alone.

The final part of the workshop was painting. At first, I felt out of my depth—art wasn’t something I had ever explored seriously. But as I dipped my fingers into the colors, something shifted. The canvas became a safe space to express what I couldn’t say or even move to. By the end of the session, I felt lighter, like I had unlocked parts of myself I didn’t even know were hidden.

The Power of Expressive Arts

That day, I realized how powerful expressive arts could be. It wasn’t just about creating something beautiful; it was about connecting with myself in ways that felt authentic and healing. It had the ability to shatter someone and build someone back up in an instant. It brought together my love for writing, dancing, and exploring emotions into one cohesive experience.

This revelation stayed with me, lingering in the back of my mind as I navigated the next few years. I began exploring expressive arts more intentionally, reading about its benefits, and integrating it into my personal routines. Eventually, I realized I wanted to take this journey further—not just for myself, but for others too.

Choosing a Path

That’s when I decided to pursue an expressive arts course. It wasn’t an easy decision; stepping into something unconventional always feels risky. But the more I learned, the more I understood the incredible power of expressive arts to heal, empower, and transform. The course deepened my understanding of how art, movement, music, and writing could work together to address trauma, nurture creativity, and help people find clarity in chaos.

When I got my license, it felt like coming full circle. I had always loved writing, reading, and dancing—but now, I understood their true potential. They weren’t just hobbies; they were tools to create change, tools to connect, tools to heal.

A Lifelong Passion

Today, as I take others through this incredible journey of expressive arts, I’m constantly reminded of the power that all these forms of art hold. It taught me that art isn’t about being “good” at something—it's about being honest, open, and brave enough to explore.

And that’s how I fell in love with expressive arts—not just as a form of self-expression, but as a lifelong passion and a beautiful purpose.

A Gentle Reminder

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