Creative Wellness: It’s All About Love
“Discover your deep inner-self and from that place spread love in every direction” — Amit Ray
Around this time last year I read All About Love by bell hooks. I have been thinking about it ever since.
In her book, bell hooks offers the reader a profound exploration of love as a transformative force in our personal and collective lives. Her insights affirmed for me values I have held for a long time when it comes to the concept of love. Namely, that love is not just a feeling but it is also an active practice.
Love is a commitment we nurture within ourselves and others.
At its core, creative living & wellness is about cultivating a deeper connection with ourselves through the power of imagination, creativity & self-expression. When we approach our creativity with love - "a combination of care, commitment, trust, knowledge, responsibility, and respect" - we engage in a process of self-discovery and healing that nourishes our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
The Link Between Love and Wellness
As hooks says, love requires intentionality. When we decide to embark on a journey of creative living & wellness it requires us to set aside time & space for practices that help us process emotions, challenge limiting beliefs, and celebrate our inner worlds. When we write, paint, dance, or make music we engage in profound acts of self-care with love and purpose.
For many, creative self-expression is a way to reconnect with the playful & unburdened self — the part of us that often gets silenced in the rush to adulthood. All About Love encourages us to see love as a guiding principle that helps us realign with our authentic selves. By fostering self-love and acceptance, we create the conditions for flourishing not just in our relationships but also in all areas of our lives.
Love and Change
Writer bell hooks affirms for us that love has the power to dismantle fear, isolation, and patterns of control. When we give voice to our deepest fears and longings through the creative process, we allow ourselves to release what no longer serves us, and make space for new love and possibilities instead.
A few creative practices that can help us reclaim agency in our lives and offer pathways to love, healing and wholeness might look like:
Collage — a simple yet powerful medium — can help us visually explore themes like resilience, balance, and joy
Writing can reveal hidden truths about our desires and challenges
Dance can transform stagnant energy into dynamic movement embodying freedom and renewal.
Deepen Your Understanding of Love
What might it look like to infuse your daily life with a little more love and creativity? Perhaps you take five minutes to doodle, write a poem, or mindfully listen to your favorite song. Maybe you let yourself dream again, exploring what brings you joy and purpose.
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of love as a practice and discover how it can revolutionize your approach to wellbeing, I highly recommend bell hooks' All About Love. Her wisdom offers a compassionate framework for anyone seeking to live more fully and authentically.
Order your copy of All About Love today and begin your journey toward love-centered creative wellness: https://amzn.to/42N37SW
Your creativity is a gift — one that can lead you back to yourself, time and time again. Embrace it with love.
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