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I know that navigating the grief and emotional changes after a loss can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a relationship, or a life phase, such a shift can leave us feeling unsure of who we are and how to move forward. The journey of self-discovery after loss is unique for everyone, but there is one thing that remains true: healing and growth are possible, and it starts with how we care for our hearts and minds.

At Cathy Freeman Art, we’ve created a tool called Creative Reminders to help you reconnect with yourself, even during challenging times. This simple 3-step process can support you in healing, finding clarity, and nurturing peace as you work through the feelings that loss brings.

Here’s how Creative Reminders can guide you on this journey:

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Journey of Self Discovery after Loss

 How to use Creative Reminders to Rediscover Yourself After Loss or Major Life Change

When someone experiences a loss, whether it’s the death of a loved one, a breakup, or a significant life change like a career shift or moving to a new place, it can be incredibly disorienting. Loss often brings confusion about identity, purpose, and what life will look like moving forward. Creative Reminders can offer a therapeutic, empowering way to help someone reconnect with themselves, find clarity, and rebuild their sense of identity.

Here's how the Creative Reminders process can support someone going through such a transition:

1. Create the Thought: Start with Empowering Affirmations

  • Prompt Reflection: In the face of loss or change, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about who you are and what your future holds. The first step in Creative Reminders is to create a thought that acknowledges your current state but also inspires growth. Affirmations like:
    • "I am finding my strength and courage in each moment."
    • "I am worthy of peace and healing as I move through this change."
    • "I am discovering new parts of myself that have been waiting to be awakened."
    • "I have the power to rebuild and recreate my life."

These affirmations become the foundation of the healing process—acknowledging pain while also nurturing hope.

2. Record It in Your Art Journal: Express Feelings and Thoughts

  • Self-Discovery Through Journaling: Journaling provides a space to process emotions, gain insights, and explore new aspects of identity. Writing down the affirmation in an art journal can feel like an act of intentional self-care. It invites a deeper exploration of emotions and what the future may look like after the loss or change.
    • Ask yourself questions like:
    • (NOTE:  If question is to challenging to think about....see the questions in the section titled, "Discovery After Loss")
      • "Who am I now, after this change?"  
      • "What strengths have I discovered in myself?"
      • "How do I want to show up for myself and others moving forward?"

Journaling isn't just about writing; it’s about creating a safe space to uncover new facets of identity, often one small realization at a time.

3. Visualize It with Art: Transform Affirmations into Visual Reminders

  • Expression Through Creativity: Art provides an immediate and tangible way to reconnect with oneself, especially after a loss or life transition. The Creative Reminders process encourages adding visuals that resonate with the affirmation and feelings you're working through.
    • For example, if the affirmation is "I am discovering new parts of myself," the person might draw something symbolic of renewal, like a tree with new leaves or a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
    • If the affirmation is "I have the power to rebuild," they might create a visual metaphor of strength—like a solid foundation being built or a path forward being illuminated.

You may not have the energy, or desire at first to draw, or paint a picture; but, you can pull images from a magazine to visualize, or even create a collage

 

The act of creating art can help break down emotional barriers and allow the unconscious to express itself. This process helps individuals:

  • Visualize healing and self-discovery.
  • Connect with their inner strength and resilience.
  • Create a positive, nurturing space for personal growth.

Benefits of Using Creative Reminders After Loss or Major Change: 

  • Promotes Healing and Emotional Expression: Art journaling allows for a healthy emotional release and provides a safe space to express grief, confusion, or fear without judgment.

  • Clarifies Identity: Through journaling and art, individuals begin to explore and redefine who they are after a significant life change. This process can reveal new aspects of themselves, hidden strengths, and desires that may have been overlooked or suppressed.

  • Cultivates Hope and Resilience: Focusing on positive affirmations helps shift the mindset from feeling lost to embracing a future filled with possibilities. The process reinforces the belief that healing, growth, and reinvention are possible.

  • Builds a Personal Narrative of Strength: The journal becomes a living record of their journey through the transition—one that they can revisit, reflect on, and track their progress. It serves as a tangible reminder that they are capable of moving forward.

  • Supports Self-Compassion: The process encourages self-compassion by allowing individuals to view themselves through a lens of kindness and understanding, even amidst emotional pain. It nurtures the belief that they are worthy of healing and growth, no matter their past experiences.

  • Brings Empowerment: As affirmations are written and illustrated, they empower the individual to take control of their story. This process fosters the belief that they are not victims of their circumstances, but active participants in creating their future.

 Simple Example Process for Rediscovering Identity:

  1. Create the Thought: “I am reclaiming my joy, step by step.”
  2. Record It in Your Art Journal: Write the affirmation down in your journal. Beneath it, reflect on how you feel right now—honestly, without judgment. Write about where you’ve been, but also where you want to go.
  3. Visualize It with Art: Create something symbolic of reclaiming joy—this might be a simple drawing of the sun breaking through clouds, or a heart surrounded by stars. Use colors and shapes that make you feel hopeful and connected to your affirmation.

Conclusion:

Creative Reminders is an accessible, powerful tool for anyone navigating the aftermath of a loss or significant life change. The process allows individuals to reconnect with their inner selves, heal from pain, and create a new path forward. Through the combination of positive affirmations, journaling, and creative expression, people can rediscover who they are and move toward a brighter, more empowered future.

 

🌻 Asking the question "Who am I now?" Discovery After Loss  

(Pick on a few to focus on at a time.)

 

After a major life change, the question "Who am I now?" can feel overwhelming. It's common for someone to feel lost or disconnected, and the pressure to answer that big question immediately can add to the emotional burden.   Instead, starting with gentler, more specific questions can help guide the process of self-discovery and healing.   Here are some thoughtful and reflective prompts that can be more accessible during those first, sensitive stages of change:

1. How do I feel today?

  • This question invites the person to check in with their emotions without the pressure of defining who they are. It opens up a space to acknowledge current feelings, whether it’s grief, confusion, hope, or a mixture of everything.

2. What am I grateful for today?

  • Focusing on gratitude can help shift attention from the pain of change to the positive aspects, no matter how small. Gratitude can open the heart and bring clarity about things still worth cherishing, even in difficult times.

3. What parts of myself do I want to nurture right now?

  • This helps to focus on specific aspects of self-care and growth. After a life change, it's important to identify the parts of you that need compassion, strength, or development.
Example:  

Prompt: What parts of myself do I want to nurture right now?

Example Answer:

"I want to nurture my emotional resilience. After the loss of my loved one, I feel like I’m still carrying a lot of sadness and uncertainty. I want to give myself permission to feel these emotions fully, but also to create space for healing. I’m choosing to focus on small acts of self-care, like journaling my feelings and spending time in nature, to help me process my grief in a gentle way. I also want to nurture my creativity, because I know when I engage in art or even simple creative activities, it helps calm my mind and brings a sense of peace. I’ve been neglecting that side of me recently, and I want to bring it back to feel more balanced and connected to myself. Through these practices, I’m choosing to grow joy—even if it’s in small moments—because I know that allowing myself to feel joy, however subtle, will help me heal and move forward."

This version emphasizes that, while nurturing emotional resilience and creativity, the individual is actively choosing to "grow joy" in their life, even during a time of grief. It adds a layer of hope and intentional positivity in their healing journey.

4. What do I need in this moment?

  • This simple yet powerful question encourages the person to honor their current needs, whether it's rest, emotional support, or even something creative or physical that could help with the healing process.

5. What’s one small step I can take today to feel better?

  • Encourages action in manageable, bite-sized pieces. This question helps break down the overwhelming task of moving forward into small, actionable steps that contribute to healing and progress.

6. What was something that brought me joy in the past, and how can I bring that back into my life?

  • Looking back at moments of joy—no matter how small—can provide a sense of continuity and remind someone that joy is still possible, even after a big shift. Reconnecting with former passions or hobbies can help bridge the gap between where they are and where they want to be.

7. How do I want to feel moving forward?

  • This focuses on future intentions rather than immediate identity. It's about setting an emotional intention for the future, such as peace, strength, or resilience, and can help guide future actions in a positive direction.

8. What have I learned from this experience so far?

  • Encouraging reflection on the lessons, strengths, and insights gained from the change can be a powerful way to build personal resilience and understanding. Even in hardship, growth often occurs, and recognizing that can empower someone.

9. What makes me feel connected to others or the world around me?

  • This helps a person reconnect with their sense of community and purpose. It’s normal to feel isolated after change, but this question fosters a sense of belonging, whether it's through family, friends, nature, or spirituality.

10. What can I do today to honor my journey so far?

  • This question promotes self-compassion and encourages a person to acknowledge and validate their feelings and experiences. It may be as simple as taking a moment to pause, reflecting on the challenges they’ve overcome, and acknowledging their resilience.

11. What is one thing I love about myself, even in this moment of change?

  • Encouraging someone to focus on a positive trait or strength they can rely on can help them reconnect with their core identity, even when it feels like everything has shifted. It can provide comfort and stability.

12. What kind of support do I need right now?

  • This question helps someone identify what kind of help they need from others (or themselves). It may point to the need for professional support, social connection, or simply a safe space for emotional expression.

13. What do I want to leave behind in this chapter of my life?

  • Reflecting on what no longer serves them can help create emotional space for growth. This might include old patterns, fears, or beliefs that are holding them back. Letting go of what’s no longer helpful can be liberating.

14. If I could create my ideal day or life right now, what would it look like?

  • Dreaming forward allows the person to visualize a future that might feel too far off or unclear. It can provide hope and direction, even if the path seems uncertain.

15. What small victory am I proud of today?

  • This question brings focus to progress, no matter how small. It helps the person celebrate the little wins in their journey, which can provide motivation and confidence to keep moving forward.

By starting with smaller, more immediate questions, a person can slowly ease into deeper self-discovery without feeling the pressure of defining themselves all at once. These prompts can help them reflect on their experiences, acknowledge their emotions, and begin to regain clarity, without forcing answers that might take time to form.

Incorporating Creative Reminders into this process—such as writing these reflections in an art journal or pairing them with affirmations—can help these discoveries feel more tangible and connected to their journey of healing and self-reinvention.

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