SURROUNDED by black and white papers rustling with every blow of the wind, groans and sighs escalate around the monochrome room, lined with blinding white lights and feelings that emulate boredom and stress. As assignments, projects, and tests drain us, could there be anything in the world that can bring back the color and spark of life?
With strokes of red and yellow, art can paint a picture that soothes our minds amidst the everyday chaos we face. Studies prove that painting, drawing, sculpting, and embarking on different crafts and projects help calm the brain from the usual cognitive thinking that we use every day. These skills refresh our memory, and help us learn how to let go and feel the world around us. So, when we take a deep breath, listen to our favorite music, and let our hands guide us through canvasses and paint, we give ourselves time to breathe, and a second to seep in different colors that mirror our emotions.
While blue commonly symbolizes sadness, it also reflects the peacefulness and serenity of the sky and sea. If green corresponds to the desire of earning money, spending hours at work to earn a living, it can also symbolize flora and fauna, and bring relaxation to whoever sets their eyes on it. And basically, we hold the power to decide when to prioritize our goals, and when to relax and slow down.
As students and young professionals, we have time to work for our dreams, create a legacy, and bring pride to our families. But, working too hard can drain us of color, and burn us out until we feel too tired to enjoy the miracles around us. And art, as a whole, can bring us back to life, and reintroduce shades and hues of joy, melancholy, nostalgia, and meditation. And, at the end of the day, regardless of age, experience, and supplies, anyone can make art, and art can make anyone realize life’s true worth./PN
