As we enter the new year, many people will be making new year's resolutions. Many of these resolutions are quickly forgotten or given up within the next few months. At times, I have ignored this tradition because it so often feels like a waste of time or like I keep repeating myself year after year. It can be easy to become cynical about new year's resolutions, but I find that there can be value in taking time to think about my life, what I hope to change, what I would like to keep the same, and what I hope to accomplish. This year I decided to take a new approach by using art to express my intentions for the coming year. As an art therapist, I have had clients create art pieces about their goals or about their new year's resolutions, but I have not often done this for myself. I thought that I would share my project in the hopes that it will inspire others to use creativity to express their goals, resolutions, and intentions for the new year.
For my intentions for the new year, I considered both my resolutions for how I would like to live, as well as goals that I would hope to reach in the next year. I searched through my collage material for images and phrases that speak to these resolutions and goals. I created small collage cards of these images and phrases that I have placed in a small box. It is my hope for myself that having a tangible reminder of my
resolutions and goals that I can see throughout the year will help me to
be more mindful of these things in my life.
I would love to hear from readers--what are some creative ways you approach setting new year's resolutions?
Carolyn Mehlomakulu, LMFT, ATR is a psychotherapist in Austin, Texas
who works with children, adolescents, and families. For more
information about individual therapy, child counseling, family therapy, and art therapy services, please visit www.therapywithcarolyn.com. Labels: boxes, collage, creative arts therapy, goals, resolutions
