The last few weeks of term can be a surreal experience. As the exam season sets in, a sense of routine takes over, and people start to feel like they’re stuck in a never-ending loop. It’s a rhythm that’s hard to escape, with each day blending into the next, and the only constant being the countdown to the next paper. Conversations with friends become repetitive, revolving around exams and the pressure to perform. It’s as if talking about anything else is a distraction from the ‘important’ things, or even a guilty admission of not taking things seriously enough. But the truth is, exams are just one part of life. There’s so much more to us than just our degrees and academic pursuits. And yet, as we navigate the chaos of term, it’s easy to forget about the things that make us human outside of Cambridge. Summer, with its ambiguity, can be just as challenging. Without the structure of term, it’s easy to get lost and feel uncertain about what to do with ourselves. The pressure to be productive and focused can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of toxic productivity and burnout. That’s where creative practice comes in. It’s not about being self-indulgent or wasteful; it’s about finding ways to interrupt the vicious cycles we normalise. Creativity allows us to take a break from the constant pressure and expectations, and instead, find a sense of spontaneity and freedom. There’s a quiet cultural aversion to creative practice, and it’s often dismissed as unserious or frivolous. But the truth is, creativity is a powerful tool for coping with stress and anxiety. It’s not just about venting or releasing emotions, but also about transformation – making sense of our thoughts, memories, and desires. Catharsis can be described as a sense of relief, but it’s also a complex and multifaceted concept. It’s not just about art or music, but also about the small, everyday acts of creativity that we often overlook. Take, for example, the works of American abstract painter Mark Rothko. His paintings were known to evoke powerful emotions, and he himself admitted that he wanted to communicate the “basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on.”

Or consider the story of Henry Darger, who left behind a staggering 5,000-page autobiography and 15,000-page illustrated novel. His work is vibrant and obsessive, using comic strip-esque pencil and watercolour to create an epic imaginary world. These artists, and many others like them, demonstrate that creativity is not just about producing something beautiful or impressive, but also about the process of creation itself. It’s about finding a sense of purpose and meaning in the act of making something, even if it’s just for oneself. So, what can we do to tap into this creative potential? We don’t need to be experts or prodigies; we just need to find ways to make space for spontaneity and creativity in our lives. It might start with small acts of creativity, like doodling in the corners of our books or writing terrible poems in our Notes app. It might involve fiddling with a half-finished DIY kit or crafting a simple piece of jewelry. These small acts may seem insignificant, but they can be powerful catalysts for catharsis. They allow us to tap into our creative potential and find a sense of freedom and release. The key is to find ways to keep spontaneity alive, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. By embracing creativity, we can interrupt the cycle of toxic productivity and burnout, and instead, find a sense of calm and clarity. So, the next time you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, take a moment to pick up a paintbrush or crochet hook. Don’t worry about the outcome or the result; just let the process of creation unfold. You might be surprised at the sense of catharsis that follows. What is Catharsis?

Catharsis is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been debated by philosophers and artists for centuries. It’s often described as a sense of relief, but it’s also about transformation – making sense of our thoughts, memories, and desires. Examples of Catharsis in Art

* Mark Rothko’s paintings, which evoke powerful emotions and bring people to tears. * Henry Darger’s work, which is vibrant and obsessive, using comic strip-esque pencil and watercolour to create an epic imaginary world. * Louise Bourgeois, whose nine-metre spider sculpture is a powerful symbol of her own personal struggles and triumphs. Arts and Crafts as a Form of Catharsis

Arts and crafts are often dismissed as unserious or frivolous, but they can be powerful tools for catharsis. By making something with our own hands, we can tap into our creative potential and find a sense of freedom and release. * Pashmina weaving in Kashmir, which is a vital part of the region’s cultural heritage. * Maasai beadwork, which is a traditional form of craftsmanship that is both functional and decorative. * Russian Matryoshka dolls, which are intricately carved and painted wooden dolls that are both beautiful and meaningful. Conclusion

Creative practice is not just about producing something beautiful or impressive; it’s about the process of creation itself. It’s about finding a sense of purpose and meaning in the act of making something, even if it’s just for oneself. By embracing creativity, we can interrupt the cycle of toxic productivity and burnout, and instead, find a sense of calm and clarity. So, the next time you feel like you’re stuck in a rut, take a moment to pick up a paintbrush or crochet hook. Don’t worry about the outcome or the result; just let the process of creation unfold. You might be surprised at the sense of catharsis that follows.