From Tension to Ease: My Journey Toward Safety

What does safety feel like — in your art, your body, your relationships?

Safety was something I had to learn how to cultivate. I don’t think I ever really felt safe as a child—not safe to express myself, not safe to ask questions, to be curious, or even to grow. It always felt like whenever I did speak or wonder out loud, someone had something to say, some kind of judgment. And maybe that was partly a projection too—me not having the confidence to stand in my fullness.

Safety in my art came over time. It grew with me being more open, more honest in what I create, more brave about what I choose to talk about. And that kind of growth mirrored everything else I was learning. I think once you begin to value yourself and really learn, it shows up everywhere—in your work, your relationships, your body.

Now, safety feels like ease. It feels peaceful. Like there isn’t a tightness in my chest, and my body just feels soft, like it's resting. When I feel that, I know I’m safe. And art, for the most part, has always given me that feeling. I just had to learn how to recognize it.

Because when you’ve been tense for so long—when your body is used to being on high alert and your mind never stops running—you don’t even notice what’s actually good for you. But this question feels simpler now, because I’ve been learning how to regulate my emotions. I’ve learned that emotions live in the body. And learning that changed everything. It changed how I move through the world, how I think, how I show up for myself.

I’m still learning, still paying attention to what safety actually feels like in my body and in my life. And I wonder—what does safety feel like for you? In your art, in your body, in your relationships? You’re more than welcome to reflect on it for yourself, in your journal, your art, or even in the comments if you feel called to share.