Veterans face challenges that many people cannot begin to understand. Whether it be transitioning into life after service or coping with combat-related stress, the issues that former servicemembers face would be difficult for anyone to overcome. Some veterans believe that no one will understand what they are going through, and therefore, they bottle up their emotions. Many refuse to seek help from a therapist for fear of judgment. Veterans interested in alternative outlets for their feelings may consider one of the creative pursuits below.
1. Art
Painting, ceramics and photography are excellent methods of expression for veterans who cannot put their feelings into words. Art allows them to convey their experiences on a canvas and rediscover the beauty of life through a camera lens. You do not even have to be knowledgeable of whichever form of art you choose. You just have to put yourself into it wholeheartedly. Organizations like the United States Veterans Art Program provide great opportunities for veterans to express themselves artistically.
2. Music
It does not matter if you're jamming away on a guitar solo or belting out the high notes of "Bohemian Rhapsody," there is no doubt that music provides a therapeutic release. In fact, music has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and promote relaxation, both of which would benefit veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. Operation We Are Here is an excellent resource for musically inclined veterans.
3. Theater
Former servicemembers who may be hesitant to share their feelings might consider the stage as an alternative way to emote. Many plays offer actors the opportunity to express joy, fear, anger and passion in the safety of a character's identity and without fear of personal judgment. Nonprofits like Feast of Crispin make it possible for veterans to utilize theater as an alternative form of therapy.
4. Dance
There is a freeing feeling when you are whipping around the dance floor. Dance is a cathartic form of expression that allows people to lose themselves in the music. Veterans can find healing through many types of dance. Programs like 3Arts even provide adaptive dance classes for disabled veterans.
5. Creative Writing
Whether veterans want to them for themselves or share them with the world, putting their stories down on paper is sometimes one of the most relieving experiences they will have. Poetry, short stories, nonfiction and playwriting are all ways that veterans could express themselves. There are a number of organizations, like The Veterans Writing Project, that are dedicated to helping former servicemembers find the tools to help them tell their stories.
The artist Pablo Picasso once said, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." Creativity, in whatever form it takes, provides individuals with an outlet for emotions and memories. Veterans who are coping with combat-related mental issues or having difficulty finding their place in civilian society could benefit greatly from pursuing a creative hobby. Any of the artistic activities listed above could be exactly the kind of release that a struggling former servicemember needs.