Finding Creativity in the Mess

How does this look to you—a mess or a wonderland? When you see my art table, what do you feel? Do you want to tidy it up, or do you want to dive in?

For me, this space is an oasis of creativity. The water cup, glue sticks, torn magazines, brushes, scraps of paper, and half-finished clippings may appear chaotic, but they are treasures waiting to be discovered. This is the fertile ground where collage becomes a healing practice—helping me explore my inner world of memories, feelings, and experiences. Through this messy process, I uncover insights I never would have found if everything were neatly ordered.

I keep a "treasure box" filled with words and sentences that catch my attention. Some days I’ll flip through a magazine that arrives in the mail, clipping phrases or images that resonate with me. They may not be used that day, but as the weeks go by, they often find their way back to me, scattered across the table, perfectly timed and ripe for the picking. Even discarded pages from my altered books are kept, because what seems without meaning now might one day uncover a hidden truth

This messy table is my breath of fresh air—like an ocean breeze, it carries beauty, possibility, and freedom. It is about finding creativity in the mess—a reminder that creativity is not about control, but about curiosity, openness, and willingness to be surprised.

As an expressive arts therapist, I encourage you to let your creative space get messy. In your visual journal, resist the urge to clean as you go. Allow the materials to speak to you, to show you what you didn’t know you were looking for. Be open to treasures hidden in the chaos. You can tidy up when you’re done, but until then—give yourself permission to let go, explore, and express yourself in whatever way feels right.

Get Messy!!