I’ve been thinking a lot about self-care lately. Or, more accurately, how terrible I am at it. Every time I scroll through social media, I’m bombarded with images of people doing their perfectly curated self-care routines—bubble baths, face masks, yoga in matching workout sets. Meanwhile, I’m over here in an oversized hoodie, busy painting lost in my own world and forgetting to drink water like some kind of dehydrated cryptid.

But the thing is, self-care isn’t always pretty. And honestly? I think we’ve over complicated it. It’s not about the aesthetic of self-care—it’s about doing something that actually makes you feel like a human again. For me, that something is art.

And I don’t mean “art” in the hanging-in-a-gallery-and-being-sold-for-millions sense. I mean the completely unhinged, chaotic, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing but it feels good’ kind of art. The kind where you grab some paint, some markers, maybe some glue if you’re feeling spicy, and just let your hands do whatever they want.

That’s the thing about making art—it forces you to slow down. When I’m painting, I’m not thinking about my to-do list or the emails I haven’t answered (okay, sometimes I am, but at least I’m distracted by the fact that I just accidentally got acrylic paint in my hair). It’s one of the few times my brain actually shuts up for a second, and honestly? That alone makes it worth it.

Art as Self-Care: More Effective Than a Face Mask (Probably)

Here’s the thing about self-care—it’s not about fixing yourself. You’re not a broken phone that needs troubleshooting. Self-care is about creating space for yourself to breathe, exist, and be a little bit of a mess without judgment.

Art does that. It doesn’t demand perfection. It doesn’t require a step-by-step guide (unless you’re into that, in which case, go for it). You can just make something—a terrible sketch, a chaotic painting, an abstract monstrosity that looks like a toddler made it. It doesn’t matter. The act of creating is what counts.

And honestly, I’d argue that aggressively slapping paint onto a canvas is at least as effective as a bubble bath. Maybe even more.

Because here’s the truth: Art doesn’t judge you. It doesn’t care if you’re having a bad mental health day. It doesn’t tell you to “just think positive!” It just lets you be.

But What If I Suck at Art?

Ah, yes, the classic excuse. But I’m not an artist! Listen, neither is your dog, and I bet if you put some paint on their paws and let them stomp around, you’d call it modern art and hang it on your fridge.

Who decided that only people who can paint like Van Gogh are allowed to make art? Who said stick figures weren’t a valid form of expression? Honestly, if you’ve ever seen some of the abstract stuff hanging in high-end galleries, you’d know that literally anything can be art if you say it is.

So if you’ve been avoiding making art because you think you’re “bad” at it, I have some news for you: There’s no such thing as bad art when it comes to self-care. There’s just art that helps you feel better, and art that doesn’t. That’s it.

Maybe you love carefully sketching every detail of a flower. Maybe you love throwing paint at a canvas in a fit of emotion like some kind of artistic exorcism. Maybe you just like coloring inside the lines because it makes your brain feel calm. Whatever works for you is the right kind of art.

Art Therapy: Cheaper Than Actual Therapy (But Please Still Go to Therapy)

Okay, listen. I love therapy. Therapy is great. Everyone should go to therapy. But sometimes, between sessions, you need a way to process your emotions that doesn’t involve texting your best friend a wall of sad emojis.

That’s where art therapy comes in. Not because it’s a magical fix for all your problems (if it were, trust me, I’d be painting 24/7), but because it gives you a way to release emotions without needing to put them into words.

Had a rough day? Doodle aggressively in a notebook.
Feeling stuck? Try watercolors—let them bleed and blend and do their thing.
Frustrated? Sculpt something out of clay and smash it when you’re done.

There’s something wildly satisfying about taking emotions that feel tangled in your head and putting them on paper (or canvas, or whatever medium you have lying around). It’s a physical way to process emotions, and sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.

But What If My Art Looks Like Chaos?

Perfect. So does life.

Not everything needs to have a purpose. Not every painting needs to be framed. Sometimes, you make something, enjoy the process, and then throw it in a drawer and never look at it again. That’s valid.

Not all self-care has to be deep and meaningful and tied to some grand purpose. Sometimes, self-care is making a ridiculous collage of magazine clippings and glitter because it makes your inner child happy. Sometimes, it’s sketching something so terrible that you laugh at yourself and feel better.

Self-care isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving yourself permission to just exist without expectations for a little while.

And that’s what art is. Messy. Unpredictable. Imperfect. Just like us.

Consider This Your Official Permission Slip

If you’ve been looking for a sign to buy yourself some markers, a cheap watercolor set, or even just a coloring book, here it is. Go make something. Even if it’s bad. Especially if it’s bad.

Throw some paint on a canvas. Scribble wildly in a notebook. Cut up an old magazine and glue the pieces together like you’re a kid in art class again.

No pressure. No expectations. Just you, your emotions, and the absolute chaos of creativity.

And if anyone asks? It’s art therapy.

They don’t need to know you were just aggressively finger-painting your feelings.