Exploring Identity Through Creative Expression: 5 Expressive Arts Activities for Self-Discovery
Our identity is always evolving as we move through life in our experiences, relationships, culture, and values. These shifts or realizations may bring up questions of “Who am I?” or “Where do I belong?” Creative expression can provide a gentle way to explore these questions without the pressure of having to have any answers. Don’t worry, creative expression or expressive arts don’t require artistic skill or experience, just an open mind and open heart to explore.
Why Identity Exploration Matters
Why does our identity even matter? Our identity influences how we see the world and move through it. It shapes our relationships, decisions, goals, and sense of belonging. When we feel disconnected from our identity we feel confused, express self-doubt, and feel “stuck.”
Many different factors influence identity. This can be culture and ethnicity, family roles, gender and sexuality, disability or chronic illness, career and life stage, or personal values, interests, and beliefs.
Identity can change over time from life transitions like simply growing up and moving out of your parents home to having a career or a new child. It can also be affected by loss of a loved one or illness. Personal growth can change the way we see ourselves. Do you think you're the same person you were 5 years ago? 10 years ago? We are constantly evolving and changing thus influencing our identity to do the same.
Why Creative Expression Can Be Helpful
With our identity evolving and changing over time it can be difficult to put into words what's going on in our body and mind. It’s hard to explain feeling stuck and disconnected when we aren’t sure why. Creative expression can provide that language for emotions and lived experiences when words fail. Creativity encourages curiosity and play rather than judgement. Why is this? Because there is no “right” interpretation of whatever expression you created. The process of creating uncovers more insight into that disconnected feeling that wasn’t clear before. Expressive arts allow creativity without needing perfection. The value of experimenting and self-compassion outweigh the outcome and performance.
Five Creative Ways to Explore Identity
So, how do we explore our identity in depth? Here is a list of five ways to explore and gain insight without judgement in a creative way.
1. Create an Identity Collage
Gather images, words, and colors that resonate with you. This can be from magazines, books, markers, paint, whatever you have available.
When gathering images, focus on intuition rather than logic. Pick what calls to you not “what makes sense.”
When you finish creating the collage here are some reflection prompts to think about. You can either write them down on another piece of paper or even in the collage itself. Or you can just think about it. Whatever feels best
What parts of myself are represented here?
What feels missing?
Is there a common theme? If so, what is it?
2. Draw a Personal Timeline
Gather paper and a pencil and draw important moments that have shaped who you are.
Include achievements, challenges, relationships, and turning points. This could be graduating college, leaving an unhealthy relationship, whatever comes to mind.
After you have completed the timeline, think on how these experiences continue to influence you. Feel free to write these down on the image or on another piece of paper. Or just reflect silently.
3. Use Color to Represent Different Parts of Yourself
Gather a handful of different colors. This could be markers, crayons, pastels, whatever you have available. Assign these colors to different identities or emotional experiences.
With these colors create an abstract piece that reflects how those parts interact.
When you have come to a stopping point, notice where colors overlap, clash, or complement each other. Write or think about how these different identities and emotional experiences interact. This can be on the image or another piece of paper.
4. Write a Letter to Your Younger or Future Self
Take out a piece of lined paper, maybe you have a notebook, or maybe this is simply on the notes app in your phone. Write a letter to either your younger or future self and express compassion, gratitude, or hopes for growth.
Write and explore how your understanding of yourself has evolved.
Consider what wisdom you would share across different stages of life. What would you share with your younger self? What would you share with your older self?
5. Build a "Symbols of Me" Collection
Gather or draw objects that represent meaningful aspects of your identity.
These could include items connected to family, culture, hobbies, values, or aspirations. If these are physical objects feel free to create a designated space for them. Perhaps this is an altar. If these are images, create a collage of the pieces.
When you have completed collecting and creating your work, reflect on why each symbol feels significant. What makes that piece special? Feel free to journal on this.
How Identity and Mental Health Intersect
Understanding our identity and embracing the different parts of it can help us feel more confident and assured of ourselves. It can help us live a life more true in our authentic self and our values. Knowing ourselves fully without suppressing any aspects can be freeing and release the weight of holding that in.
Tips for Making Creativity Feel Accessible
Expressive arts don't need to be costly. Use what you have available. If this is printer paper and a pen that works. If this is a post-it-note and a highlighter perfect! If you don’t have magazines or images to use for collage create a collage on a free version of Canva. You don’t need an art studio with all of the expensive supplies to create something meaningful. All you need is your imagination and willingness to explore. When creating, try and focus on the process of making rather than a desired outcome. You can literally throw the piece away after or rip it up if the pressure to create something “good” is too overwhelming. You don’t need to allot hours of time for this either. It can be as short as 10 minutes if that’s what feels best. Lastly, you do not have to share your work with anyone if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. It can be therapeutic to share with a safe and non-judgemental person, but this is not required. Do what feels safe and most comfortable to you.
If you’re feeling disconnected or “stuck” trying to find the answers about who YOU are, working with a therapist who integrates expressive arts may offer a supportive space for exploration. Expressive arts, reflection, and conversation; therapy can become a place to better understand who you are. Feel free to reach out here and schedule a consultation.
