The Arts as Self Care: 3 Steps Anyone Can Take

We are all called to live our best life, but putting that into action isn’t always clear cut. Self care is a recent headline that can get us there – but how? My journey with self care began with my relationship with Fifth House Ensemble. I was transported through attending one of their concerts and the rest has been a journey like no other. I have found that self care means finding fulfillment, making connections, and using the senses. 

Step One

Using our senses seems obvious, but with all of the media we absorb each day, how often are you actually listening? Take a moment, find a comfortable spot, put on a simple melody and close your eyes. Feel the weight of your closed eyelids, take a deep breath in through your nose, and listen. Allow the sounds to wash over you and take it all in. Take the time to really listen. For me, this connection came through taking part in Fifth House Ensemble’s Color Tunes on Facebook. It gave me a chance to really listen with others and experience sounds in a new way. You’ll find this can be the springboard to a great self care journey. Now take it to the next step and find your connection. 

Step Two

Self care is not isolation. It is a chance for connection. After you’ve taken the time to connect with your senses, you step forward and connect with others. What better way to do that than using shared senses! Sharing music is a powerful tool for connecting. We do it when we sing a birthday song, when we clap in unison at the end of a speech, or put our hands in the air at a live concert. My journey has led me to connect with Fifth House Ensemble as a listener, supporter, and now board member. A fantastic experience I had this year was taking part in the Undertale Live premiere. Each member of my family was drawn in for different reasons and it was so powerful to see my twelve year old get behind the gaming aspect, my ten year old enjoy the interaction and storyline, and my seven year old getting behind the characters. After the show, we finished our popcorn and discussed what the “tale” really means. Watch it for yourself and discover what it means for you! This brings us to step three – fulfillment.

Step Three

Fulfillment is an intersection where you’ve managed your self care, made connections, and ultimately can live and feel deeply. My experience on the board of Fifth House Ensemble has been like a dream where I get to contribute to the arts and, bring my neighbors, friends, family, and ultimately, community, together to celebrate. We celebrate through listening, deepening our connections and enjoying togetherness. The chance to be a patron of the arts can happen through being on the board of an arts organization, or buying a concert ticket, or sharing sound with a friend. I was fortunate to be able to host Fifth House Ensemble for a socially-distanced outdoor party that turned out to be a fantastic way to bring neighbors together and we could collectively nod our heads in time to the music and the fulfillment of music, culture, and just sharing something together. This is ultimate self care and fulfillment. 

You may already be living your best life, having found fulfillment. If not, I encourage you to find space to listen, to connect to your senses. Start small: check out one of Fifth House Ensemble’s Deep Listening sessions on Facebook. Or consider bringing a friend to one of their concerts. Embrace the arts world and make some connections. This can be a great catalyst towards putting positive energy out into the World, be it one musician at a time! This will ultimately bring you great fulfillment and true joy. 

Thank you for the insightful post, Chelsea! How do you practice self care? Let us know!