The Unexpected Place I Found Calm as a Single Mum Through Art Therapy

I was at the beach yesterday. It was the first time in a long while without kids in tow. It got me thinking about my early days of divorce. Not long after I made the decision to leave my marriage, I had to make the difficult decision to sell our family home.

At first, I did not want to even consider it. This was meant to be our forever home. But with each day that passed, it became crystal clear that holding onto that idea meant I would never truly break free from my ex.

At the time, I wanted to stay in the area. But the reality was that I had no idea where we would end up next, and that was terrifying. Luckily for me and my boys, I was offered a rental through a close friend at just the right time. It was nowhere near where we had been living, but it turned out to be exactly where we needed to be.

How Nature Helped Me Regulate My Nervous System During Divorce

This small two bedroom apartment was within a five minute drive from the beach. I did not know it at the time, but this home would become my safe haven. The beach would help weather the storm of heartbreak and pain that I was only just beginning to feel.

Maybe you are wondering why I am sharing this. Not everyone has access to the beach, let alone the ability to live so close to one. The beach itself, however, is just one example of a place in nature that is accessible to every single one of us in some form.

Nature, it turns out, is the ultimate companion for single mums because of the very real and tangible impact it has on your body, mind and soul.

I did not fully appreciate this until I began studying art therapy.

Grounding Through Nature and Art Therapy

Grounding is such a fundamental part of the art therapy process, and I am convinced that connecting with nature is the quickest way to reconnect with your body and calm your nervous system, despite the many other approaches available.

When your nervous system has been living in survival mode for a long time, simple sensory experiences are often the safest and most effective place to begin.

It is one of the main reasons why I love combining art making with nature and in nature. Everything from painting shadows, to arranging seashells into patterns at the beach, to incorporating leaves and twigs into my artwork. And what makes it even more compelling is that you do not need any artistic skill to experience this for yourself.

So what does this look like in action?

Sometimes it looks like movement. Yesterday I took off my shoes and walked barefoot in the shallow water. I am a terrible swimmer, so this is pretty much the extent to which I go into the water. Not something I am proud of, especially being an Aussie, but I digress.

I listened to the sound of the waves. I have always liked to think that waves are a sign the earth is breathing. I noticed the sand beneath my feet and the ripples marked across its surface, adding gentle pressure against my skin.

I watched the water flow and noticed several shells, occasionally picking them up to take a closer look. The patterns. The brilliant colours. The small details that distinguished each of them.

I felt at peace. My nervous system softened. My mind felt clear.

When I was in the thick of my divorce, I would often come to the beach and wander as I had done just yesterday. Sometimes I did not have the energy to move much at all. I would simply sit on the sand, listening to the crashing waves, quietly pleading with the ocean to take my pain and wash away my tears.

Back at home, when I was feeling particularly dysregulated, I would take off my shoes and step out onto the grass. Connecting your bare feet with the earth sends signals to your brain that it is safe to slow down. Safe to release some of the tension you are carrying.

And then there is the art making.

As you can see in the images, each of these examples involves art making in nature. One of the reasons I love the work that I do is that I am able to connect with single mums from all over the world. We may be in completely different places, but we can all choose to step outside or bring nature indoors. The options really are endless.

You Don’t Need a Studio to Begin

When you work with me, you get to decide what your space looks and feels like. It is easy to assume that art therapy means sitting in a studio with the perfect setup before you can even begin. But that is simply not true. At least, not when you work with me.

For a limited time, I am offering a free 30 minute call if you are curious about what art therapy could look like for you as a single mum.

You do not need to rush out and buy art supplies. You do not need to be prepared. You do not need to know anything about art therapy. That is what the call is for.

I would love to hear about your journey and what calm could look like for you, in a way that actually feels doable in your real life. You will have the chance to experience art therapy in action with me, tailored specifically to you.

As a single mum myself, I cannot always offer these calls due to time. But I genuinely love getting the opportunity to meet so many of you. Even if I can provide just one piece of guidance or reassurance during our conversation, I know it can make a meaningful difference in your life. And that is why I am here.

If this feels like something you would like to explore, click the link below to see if there are still spaces available.

Discover what your path to calm can look like with art therapy. Book your free call today

There are just a couple of short questions, and then you can choose a time that works for you. I try to be flexible across time zones. If you cannot find a suitable time, simply email me and we will work something out.

I hope to see you very soon. And as always, if you would like to share your experience or ask a question, you can contact me anytime here.

Much love
Tanya x