Creativity has a way of showing up, even when life feels heavy. In times of grief, uncertainty, or change, making things can be a form of comfort — like wrapping ourselves in a familiar old jumper or listening to a song from childhood. Isn't it amazing how creativity can still show up inside us, even when we're not feeling like our full selves?
Let’s talk about comfort-creativity…
We create for so many different reasons. For achievement, for practise, for learning, for invention, for joy... and for solace.
The act of being creative might feel frivolous during sad or challenging times, but creating to feel comfort is one way to keep stepping forward, despite not knowing which way we want to go.
This is a form of creativity which has been keeping me company recently. Nostalgia has been playing a big part in comfort-creating for me. (Have you seen Inside Out 2, where Nostalgia pops in and they tell her it's not her time yet? Well, she's been helping me out for sure! ☺️) I think, when we are feeling the loss of something, it's natural to revisit the good memories we had - and those good memories can become more tangible still when we create with them.
Nostalgia can act as an emotional safe space, which can be useful when we are feeling vulnerable. And it can show up in lots of different ways, whether it be through remembering personal history (in our old photographs), favourite tv shows we have been quoting for years, scents that remind us of a person, pet or place... anything that we look back on and gain a smile from.
Using our creativity can bring us comfort in difficult times, because it gives our hands something to do and our minds something to softly focus on. A bit of nostalgia can provide the direction when we want to create but don't know how to begin.
Why Nostalgia and Comfort-Creativity Work So Well Together
Emotional Connection: Nostalgia evokes strong emotions, which can be a powerful catalyst for creative expression. When we make from a place of deep feeling, our creations become more meaningful.
A Sense of Belonging: Recalling positive memories can create feelings of security and connection, allowing creativity to flow more freely.
Openness to Experience: Nostalgia can increase our willingness to try new things. By revisiting past joys, we open ourselves up to fresh ideas and directions.
Positive Associations: Drawing on happy memories can help us approach the creative process with warmth and enthusiasm, rather than pressure or self-doubt.
Dive in Deep, or Splash in the Shallows - it’s up to you!
Nostalgia, as a feeling, is personal to you. But it doesn’t have to be deep and meaningful if that’s not what you’re needing. Your sense of nostalgia about favourite foods, genres or eras may feel different to the nostalgia you feel about people or places.
Revisiting the past does not mean you need to stay there - you can dip in and out depending on how it comforts you.
Trigger Warning - The next paragraph touches on grief and loss - skip it by clicking here
Personal memories are powerful doorways to finding catharsis in creativity. Writing, painting, or crafting based on treasured memories can help us to reaffirm them and express our emotions. In a recent period of grieving I found myself needing to do something, but not being able to think of anything but the soul who was no longer here. I couldn’t distract myself with work, or do anything but think of them. And so I let myself focus on them. I searched out so many photographs - which brought back so many thoughts and feelings - and I created a video montage, with music which made me cry and cry. I wrote down every funny anecdote or sweet story that I could remember. I started planning a memory book I could keep on crafting over the coming weeks. The creative acts of video editing and writing gave me the space to fall fully into pulling my loved one closer, and it helped me feel whatever I needed to feel.
Using Nostalgia as Creative Fuel
We don’t need comfort-creativity every day, but the less gut-wrenching kinds of nostalgia can always provide fuel for arty explorations.
Engaging the senses is a great way to bring nostalgia into your creative process. Perhaps you revisit the colour palettes of your childhood, using the warm pastels of old picture books or the bold primaries of vintage toys. Sounds and scents can also transport you—maybe a particular song could inspire a painting, or the scent of baking bread could bring an idea for a comforting craft project.
Themes and motifs from the past can be a rich source of inspiration - and they don't have to be from your own experienced past. You might find yourself drawn to fairy tales, retro patterns, or symbols that hold special meaning. These recurring elements can help shape your creative direction in a way that is rooted in your own voice.
If you enjoy visual arts or design, exploring retro aesthetics can be another exciting approach. The earthy hues of the 1970s, the neon glow of the 1980s, or the pixelated charm of 1990s video games can all serve as creative sparks.
There’s something deeply comforting about making art that connects us to the past. Whether you’re painting, sewing, journaling, or crafting, nostalgia can be a powerful tool for both self-expression and self-soothing. By embracing the memories and emotions that surface, we can turn them into something meaningful—and in doing so, perhaps find a little more comfort in the present moment.
Thanks for reading,
Keep making happy,
Gemma 💛
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