THE GREATEST SILENCE IN LIFE: "WHEN FRIENDSHIPS FAIL TO GIFT US WORTH & HOW TO USE ART AGAINST THIS EMPTINESS "

by Jairo Dealba

Dear Creative Hearts,

Welcome to this edition of Creative Horizons. Today, we address a profound and often painful experience: the silence and emptiness we feel when friendships fail to gift us the worth we seek. This edition is dedicated to exploring how we can use art as a powerful tool to navigate and heal from this emotional void.

The Pain of Failed Friendships

Friendships are a cornerstone of our emotional and social lives. They provide support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. However, when friendships falter or fail, the resulting silence can be deafening. This void can leave us questioning our self-worth and feeling profoundly isolated.

Failed friendships can occur for various reasons—misunderstandings, growing apart, betrayal, or simply the passage of time. Regardless of the cause, the impact on our emotional well-being can be significant. It is essential to acknowledge this pain and find ways to heal and rebuild our sense of self-worth.

Reflecting on my own experiences, I've seen friendships dissolve due to a mixture of lack of trust, different beliefs, and divergent desires. Trust, once broken, can create an insurmountable rift. Beliefs and desires that once aligned can evolve in opposite directions, leading to an inevitable drift. This can leave us feeling unmoored and questioning the value we bring to our relationships.

Picasso’s Exploitative Friendships

Consider the example of Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Picasso’s relationships, particularly with women, were often marked by exploitation. His art often took precedence over his personal connections, leading to significant emotional tolls on those who were close to him. Fran?oise Gilot, one of his long-term lovers, described Picasso’s attitude towards relationships: “For him, there were only two kinds of women—goddesses and doormats.” This objectification and manipulation ultimately led to the unraveling of many of his friendships and romantic relationships.

Picasso's use of friends and lovers as mere tools for his art serves as a cautionary tale of how self-centeredness can destroy the very foundations of meaningful relationships. His muses often found themselves sacrificed at the altar of his artistic genius, their own identities and needs subsumed by his relentless drive for creative expression. This exploitation highlights the destructive potential of failing to value the worth and humanity of those around us.

The Healing Power of Art

Art offers a sanctuary where we can express our emotions, explore our inner landscapes, and begin to heal. It allows us to process complex feelings and transform them into something beautiful and meaningful. Here’s how art can help us combat the emptiness left by failed friendships:

Expressing Emotions

Art provides a non-verbal outlet for expressing emotions that may be difficult to articulate. Whether through painting, writing, music, or dance, we can channel our pain, anger, sadness, and confusion into creative expression. This process can be cathartic, helping us to release and understand our emotions.

Finding Self-Worth

Creating art can reinforce our sense of self-worth. When friendships fail, we might feel unvalued or unloved. Engaging in artistic activities reminds us of our talents, passions, and unique perspectives. The act of creation validates our existence and our intrinsic worth, independent of external validation.

Building New Connections

Art can also help us build new connections. Joining art classes, workshops, or online communities allows us to meet like-minded individuals who share our interests and passions. These new relationships can offer fresh sources of support and inspiration, helping to fill the void left by failed friendships.

Practical Steps to Use Art Against Emptiness

To harness the healing power of art, consider incorporating the following practices into your life:

1. Journaling: Maintain a journal where you freely write about your feelings and experiences. Use prompts to explore your emotions related to friendship and self-worth. Include drawings, collages, or poetry to enrich your entries.
2. Daily Art Practice: Dedicate time each day to create something—anything. It could be as simple as doodling in a notebook, crafting a poem, or playing an instrument. Regular practice keeps you connected to your creative spirit.
3. Art Therapy: Consider seeking out art therapy, where a trained therapist guides you through artistic exercises designed to promote healing and self-discovery. This can be particularly beneficial if you are struggling to process complex emotions.
4. Creative Workshops: Participate in workshops or classes that focus on various art forms. These settings provide a supportive environment to learn new skills, express yourself, and connect with others.
5. Artistic Exploration: Try different art forms to find what resonates with you. Experiment with painting, sculpture, dance, photography, or digital art. The exploration itself can be a journey of self-discovery and healing.

Embracing Your Unique Light

In the silence left by failed friendships, we have the opportunity to turn inward and rediscover our unique light. Art empowers us to explore our inner worlds, embrace our emotions, and transform pain into beauty. It reminds us that our worth is not dependent on external validation but resides within our ability to create and express ourselves authentically.

As the artist Frida Kahlo once said, “I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.” Kahlo’s work exemplifies the power of art to provide solace and self-understanding in times of loneliness and pain.

Thank you for joining me in this exploration of art’s profound ability to heal and uplift us. Let’s continue to inspire each other to use creativity as a tool for self-discovery, healing, and growth.

With creative spirit, Jairo Dealba

Share your artistic journeys and healing experiences with me on LinkedIn. Together, we can build a community that celebrates the transformative power of art.

Stay inspired, Jairo Dealba