Processing and expressing your racing thoughts can be challenging. Try reducing the mental clutter by crafting a collage with these simple steps.
It can be difficult to share with others some of the things that weigh most heavily on your mind. Sometimes exploring them in a creative way can be a starting point to finding a different perspective.
‘We are all like the dark moon, we still have our darker side’
These words, by Lebanese-American writer and poet Khalil Gibran, express how people are lots of things and hold many thoughts, all at the same time.
Some will be able to freely discuss their thoughts with trusted family or friends, others might prefer to explore their emotions alone before sharing with anyone else, and some might find they’re not yet ready to open up.
Being creative, however, allows you to explore all your thoughts – those that weigh heavily and those that lift the spirit.
One way to do this is to think of Khalil’s quote and write the thoughts it inspires in you on the back of a paper moon (or star, or flower – whatever you prefer!), which you can then use to create your own collage.
This can be helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed, as the act of creating and focusing on art can throw light on new perspectives and help slow racing thoughts. It might even offer a way to unscramble them so that you can talk them over with someone you really trust and who cares about you.
Before you begin, pause. Slow down. Take a few deep breaths and quieten your mind to help find balance in your situation.
GETTING STARTED
It’s easy to focus on how things should be. But when creating, there’s no one way. Mess up. Start over. Rearrange stuff.
There’ll be some things that can’t be changed. Go with the flow of your artistic process, trust yourself, and allow yourself to be surprised by the unexpected.
You might find the path you’re on is actually OK in all of its messy mishaps because it’s giving you everything you need in this exact moment.
In other words, trust the artistic process, and use your collage as a tool for transformation.
YOU WILL NEED
- Foam brush
- Water-based sealant
- Roller Squeegee tool
- Paper collage elements
- Square wooden plaque (thicker paper is also fine)
- Scalpel or scissors
* If you use a scalpel, ask an adult to help, as this tool can be tricky to manoeuvre. If no one’s around, scissors also work great.
TOP TIPS
- Water-based sealants come in different finishes. Matte and glossy are the two most popular and can give the piece a very different look – choose whichever fits your aesthetic most.
- When the paper is wet, it tends to be very delicate. When using the squeegee tool to remove excess glue, don’t apply too much pressure as it might rip the paper.
- If anything does rip during the process, don’t worry! Use your fingertip to gently apply some more glue to mend it. If for any reason the rip seems to be unrepairable, trust that it is adding character to your piece (anything too perfect tends to be slightly boring anyway).
CREATING YOUR COLLAGE
- Take your background paper and cut it to the size of the wooden plaque. Cut out your collage elements, and align them to your preferred layout.
- On the underside of one of your pictures, write down whatever is on your mind. Whether it’s a fear, an unresolved emotion or a confusing thought that is looking for resolution, write it down with a pencil or light pen. Only you will ever know what these words say.
- Use the foam brush to evenly distribute the sealant on the underside of the picture (a thin layer tends to do the trick!) Gently place it in your desired position and press it down. Use the squeegee tool to remove any excess sealant, and then the roller to firmly press the layers together.
- Repeat Step 2 for the other collage elements.
- After everything is completely dry (wait at least 3–4 hours), apply a topcoat of a water-based sealant to finalise the piece.
Look at your completed collage and applaud yourself for having courageously sat with your thoughts and feelings. It doesn’t matter how it looks, what’s important is you explored those heavy thoughts, creating a balance with the brightness.
Only you may know the words that are written on the back of the moon, but that’s the magic. Those thoughts have been transformed into something that will always remind you of your ability to overcome hurdles and make sense of things by returning to the moment.
If you’re finding life hard and have troubling thoughts, it’s important to try to talk to a trusted adult. If it’s too much to do this with someone you know, visit beyondblue.org.au, headspace.org.au, and kidshelpline.com.au for advice and information on one-on-one chats via online chat or phone.
Download collage elements here!
