Push Your Limits

Image credit: Sarah Barnard

A wise woman in my life once told me ‘If you feel like you are at your limit regarding something you’re working on, it usually means something really good is about to happen…’

I’ve kept that in my mind throughout my working career and every time I’ve felt really anxious or worried about something I’ve pushed on through with it and never regretted it yet.

Too often people are frightened to put themselves out there, to express their ideas or creativity, despite how good it can be for our minds.

Psychological research today tells us that ‘creative self-expression and exposure to the arts have wide-ranging effects on not only cognitive and psychosocial health, but also physical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, various forms of dementia and cancer.’

It’s no surprise that having a creative outlet can positively impact our mental health if we think about the effects of bottling stuff up – a bad habit many of us are guilty of. Not only does creativity give us a voice and allow us to get things off our chests, whether through song, writing, poetry or art, it also open a two-way channel where people can see what we’re thinking and are capable of, allowing dialogue, friendships and positive encouragement to roll in. Expressing ourselves creatively can be good for our relationships too, helping us let go of pent-up emotions and resentment in a positive way.

There are now so many platforms for sharing your creativity and so many like-minded people around the country to connect with. So I say, get your art out there, get sharing and just wait for those positive vibes and compliments to start flying in… and who knows, you might just inspire someone else to be brave enough to share their work too…

Read more about the research mentioned in this piece at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/arts-and-health/201512/creativity-wellness-practice

Energetic Scottish mummy with a passion for adventure and an insatiable craving for new knowledge! Sophie is obsessed with the sea and the mountains. She loves sitting next to the fire writing poems and going for picnics with her little boy on sunny days. ♥

Sarah Barnard is a largely self-taught artist based in Edinburgh and Norfolk, working mostly in acrylics, inks, and airbrush.

After a slightly unconventional journey to art through marine biology and environmental sciences, Sarah became a professional artist in 2015. 

She is inspired by strong-minded people, their stories and attitudes; as well as the natural world and environmental concerns. 

When not painting, Sarah enjoys practicing yoga, taking on challenges for charity, and running extremely slowly!