Letting Creativity and Sound Choices Set You Free

by contributing writer Kristie F. Gauthreaux | Speaker, Writer, Consultant

Mental Wellness Is Achievable — My definition of 'choice' is the possibility of becoming free of the thoughts that bound you. I know, that's easier said than done. But understand that the will to choose is inherent for the sole purpose of living life more abundantly. Creativity is the tool to create that abundance. Whether you decide to create a multitude of ill discretions or of positivity and productive projects, you can freely design at your own will. What you think about and act on becomes a part of your immediate world, the environment around you. You are forming your future right now, and you're doing it all from the inside out. Be intentional about the life you will live 10 years from now.

How will you do that? How do you do that? You think about what you are thinking about. You must be so intentional about what you think that mindfulness becomes a lifestyle and not a duty. I don't mean to take inventory of each thought using pen and paper. You would lose your life through wasted time. But take notice of what you're feeling at any given time because the way you feel is directly connected to your thoughts. If you don't like what you're feeling, if the mood you woke up with slowly disappears as you begin your routine, stop, assess your thoughts, and get rid of the one that took you away from reality. Minding your thoughts will change your life; it changed mine 15 years ago. I became intentional about things I allowed myself to be subjected to, whether it came from the inside or from outside circumstances, people, or situations.

Even now, I choose what I will allow my mind to focus on. Sometimes, I seem out of it, nonchalant, and even forgetful to others. But speaking up about the situations I think are most beneficial and acting on the things that make the difference are my mental priority and a part of my self-care.

Forgetting or denying the things that intrude only to make me fearful, frustrated, or stressed are also a part of self-care. As human beings, we must be mentally aware of what we are capable of and incapable of. I know I cannot stop fearful thoughts if and when, because I binge watch crime series. I recognize there are trauma wounds that I haven't healed from. So why pour salt into them when I know the path it will take me on? However, I can control my behaviors, words, future choices based on where I am in my healing process. That area is still sore, so I back off a bit and use creative communication and writing to aid my healing. I can share that area of my life because my sharing was intentional. Living a mental well life is achievable. Get wisdom, gain knowledge, and seek understanding so you can make a sound choice to be free from the thoughts that keep you bound. Here are three ways to get started or to add to what you already do:

Action #1:

"Think about what you think about." Identify the thoughts you keep having that bring you anxiety, stress, or depressed moments. Write a short story about the thought or thoughts you have, and make sure the story ends with you as the victor. Be creative. You can be a savvy counselor, a news reporter, a pop star, whatever you want. It's your story.

Action #2:

Once you have identified the thought that sends you spiraling and have written your short story, read it aloud and make the changes necessary to ensure you are the winner in the situation. Make the knight stronger, give the counselor a superpower, create a fun background story for the news reporter, or even turn the pop star into a powerful attorney. Rewrite the story depicting more power in your hands to solve problems. 

Action #3:

Read, believe, and act it out. Read your story like you're talking about yourself. Believe that the person in that story is you. Feel the force, pretend to hold the microphone, grab your broom, and run through the house like the knight. ACT IT OUT! Your brain doesn't know if the story is true or not, so go ahead and make it accurate for you. When you start to feel the freedom, the power, the control, the boldness, your brain will begin helping you in that area.

These steps are meant to be creative, engaging, and helpful. They don't prove a cure for your anxiety, but they will undoubtedly help you cope. I only provided three steps because I suggest you start small, so excuses can't take over. You can do this a little at a time, and eventually, it becomes a lifestyle.

KRISTIE F. GAUTHREAUX is a spiritual midwife who uses creative writing as a tool to help women communicate their triumph over trauma. She is a dynamic pacesetter in the spiritual world of mental health. As an international transformational speaker, ordained minister, book consultant, and spiritual coach, Kristie has the opportunity to remove veils from the eyes of many women who are afraid to share the goodness and the glory of their stories. 

In publishing five books, creating many courses, workshops, and workbooks, Kristie has made creative communication accessible to women worldwide. She is a bold speaker about the mental struggles women keep secret. Her personal story of overcoming identity challenges like lesbianism, mental unhealth like anxiety and depression, and the fear of failure and pleasing others is what catapults God's message of grace and generosity. She now uses her testimony of transformation as a vessel of inspiration. Kristie dedicates her life to spreading love, instilling bravery, and encouraging young women worldwide. She wants them to know they can tell their story, talk about the triumph, and communicate through creative writing. She quotes, "We write for our life, but we write especially for the life of others."