Art Therapy and Transitions

You have retired and after all these years of usingyears you may find yourself wanting to share your
your hands and being active, you wonder, what'sstories with others, in order to express how you feel
next? You may feels stuck because you are in aabout your changing body and mind.
state of transition. What does transition feel like? ItOne way to celebrate your retirement is to use your
may feel exciting or sometimes even scary. You arecreative skills. Some suggestions to celebrate life in
in a place where your routine has changed and youyour older adult years include: writing poetry or
are trying to adjust to a new schedule. Maybe youmemoirs, planting a garden, or taking an art class.
have more time to go out to lunch with family orActively engaging in creative exercises stimulates the
friends or you have time to pick up an old or newbody and the mind and allows for social interaction
hobby. This curiosity to try something new will serveand therefore reduces feelings of isolation. Here are
you, and that's good news! Staying active bothsome ideas of how to celebrate life after 50. Using
physically and mentally is an opportunity to celebrateyour creative ideas can be quite empowering and
life during the older adult years.liberating. Here are some wonderful ways to express
The aging process brings changes both physically andyour transition using art.
mentally; using our spiritual and creative capabilities1. Create a biography by making a collage using
we can overcome anxiety, stress, fear, sense ofwords and images.
loss, and a feeling of being alone. Retirement often is2. Make a timeline of your accomplishments.
an opportunity to spend time with family and friends3. Design an image of newly planted seeds and
and to build new relationships. During the older adultcreate a tree of goals for the future.