Challenges with Chronic Pain Inspire Artistic Expression

When I was nineteen, I participated in a research study on chronic pain and art.  

It was conducted remotely through a university in California. The topic interested me as someone who lives with chronic pain and is passionate about the arts. From there, I sent a brief email to one of the students in the psychology department. 

After some emails back and forth on scheduling, I had a short interview. This was one of the first times I shared openly about my CMT with someone that didn't know me. And it was also a year before I started writing on my blog. 

I answered questions related to my chronic pain, mental health struggles, and how I managed to cope with the daily challenges that often left me feeling discouraged. At that point in my journey,

For this study, I was sent various art supplies, colored paper, markers, and pastels. This was for the art portion (my favorite part) of the study. I was asked to create three different drawings. For each piece, I was given a prompt to help guide the process.

The first drawing was of a broken cup. This piece represented the depression I fell into and the fear that took hold of my life as I began struggling more with my health.

I've struggled with years of depression, so overtime as the chronic pain has worsned, it's been easier to isolate and lose joy and purpose. That's part of why working on creative passions has helped me process and cope with how much my life has changed from before.

I think the blue shading in this drawing represented the calm in the storm. The hope that I still have in Christ.

One of the drawings from the art study.

I was reminded of this study when I recently looked at some of my artwork and notebooks. While some of my creative passions have changed, I still continue dancing and writing. And I’ve come to recognize how my chronic pain will often inspire my work and creativity. How, you might ask? 

Well, I often use the negative emotions, pain, and hurt to create something that resonates with others. The writing in my journals often leads to new ideas for blog posts or articles. And as I’m dancing, I usually choreograph pieces that reflect on the hope found in the Lord. And some of them have shared pieces of my testimony, which is such a blessing as dance is work of art. Creating pieces is what helps me cope with the ongoing challenges from my CMT and encourage others who are also fighting similar battles.

I’m grateful that God has continued to my passions for almost anything creative and artistic. And I hope to continue using it in a way that encourages others.