Creative self-care

A gentle, therapeutic art workshop inviting you to slow down & reconnect with yourself through intuitive art making. When was the last time you gave yourself permission to simply create — without needing to be good at it, productive, or achieve a particular result? This 2-hour therapeutic art workshop offers a gentle space to slow down, reconnect with yourself and explore what you may need emotionally through creative expression. You don’t need any previous art experience. There is no right or wrong way to create, and you won’t be judged on your artistic ability. The focus is on the process of creating, rather than producing a perfect finished artwork. What to expect 1. Grounding & arriving — approximately 15–20 minutes We’ll begin with a short, gentle grounding exercise to help you slow down, settle into the space and become more aware of how you are feeling in the present moment. You’ll then be invited to consider what you might like to give yourself more of — perhaps rest, play, connection, freedom, joy, boundaries, nourishment or simply some time for yourself. 2. Creative exploration — approximately 60 minutes You’ll be given a creative prompt and invited to explore it through colour, shapes, patterns, images and whatever else naturally emerges for you. There is no prescribed way to make your artwork. You can paint intuitively, experiment with colour, create abstract shapes or simply follow your curiosity. This is your opportunity to step away from everyday demands and immerse yourself in the experience of creating. 3. Reflection & sharing — approximately 20 minutes Towards the end, we’ll gently come back together as a group. You’ll have the opportunity to look at your artwork and, if you feel comfortable, share some reflections about what you notice, what came up for you, or what your artwork might be expressing. Sharing is always optional. You are welcome to simply listen and reflect privately if that feels more comfortable. This workshop is an invitation to: • Slow down and create space for yourself • Reconnect with your emotions and inner needs • Explore self-care in a different way • Express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words • Experience creativity as a form of relaxation and self-expression • Gain new insights through your own artwork • Spend time doing something purely for yourself No artistic experience is necessary. All materials will be provided. Come exactly as you are. There is nothing you need to fix, achieve or get “right”. Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to explore. Please note: This is a creative, therapeutic-style self-exploration workshop and is not a substitute for individual psychotherapy or mental health treatment. Athina Lariou is a Scottish/Greek art therapist & trauma informed coach and will be facilitating this workshop in English.