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Writer's pictureJulie McVey

Healing Through Creativity: A Veteran’s Journey Back to Wholeness

When the Battlefield Becomes the Canvas


“War changes you.” It’s a phrase echoed by veterans across generations. The return from deployment isn’t just a physical journey; it’s a soul-altering odyssey. The transition to civilian life can be as treacherous as any combat zone. The armor may come off, but the emotional scars remain.


The Science of Uncertainty


In the quiet aftermath of service, veterans grapple with questions that defy easy answers: Who am I now? Where do I fit in? The once-familiar roles—soldier, comrade, protector—fade into memory. The civilian world feels like a foreign land, and the compass of purpose spins wildly.


But here’s the secret: It’s okay to be unsure. The uncertainty that gnaws at the edges of their psyche is a sign of life-seeking renewal. The canvas of their existence awaits fresh strokes, and the palette holds infinite hues.


The Creative Outlet: A Bridge to Healing


Enter the healing power of creativity. It’s not about becoming the next Picasso or Mozart; it’s about reclaiming fragments of self. Here’s how:


  • Writing: Pen becomes sword, and words become armor. Veterans can chronicle their battles, both external and internal. Journals, poetry, or short stories all weave a lifeline back to sanity. The sleepless nights find solace in ink, and lost relationships find voice.

  • Music and Instruments: The guitar’s strings vibrate with forgotten melodies. Drumbeats echo resilience. Music transcends language, bridging the chasm between isolation and connection. When the chords strum, they echo bunkmates' camaraderie and distant homes' lullabies.

  • Painting and Drawing: Watercolors, oils, charcoal—each stroke whispers healing. The brush dances, revealing shadows and light. The canvas absorbs pain, transforming it into beauty. And when the colors blend, they mend fractured hearts.

  • Sculpting: Clay yields to touch, yielding form to shapeless grief. Modeling clay isn’t just about creating; it’s about molding resilience. And sometimes, smashing it releases more than anger—it liberates the soul. The homeless veteran molds clay into shelter, into belonging.

  • Acting and Comedy: The stage becomes a sanctuary. Veterans step into characters, shedding their skins. Laughter heals; humor stitches up the torn fabric of their being. The spotlight reveals their vulnerability, and the audience becomes their platoon.

The Ceramics of Release


Imagine a room filled with ceramics—vessels waiting to hold emotions. Splatter painting: the rage of battle unleashed. The primal scream: a guttural roar that shatters silence. In that safe space, veterans free their shadow selves. The shards of clay mirror their fragmented souls, and they find wholeness as they piece them together. The drugs and alcohol lose their grip; the ceramics hold their stories instead.


Nature and the Art of Calm


A walk in nature—the rustle of leaves, the scent of earth—becomes a balm. The same energy that once propelled them through minefields now grounds them. And when they return to talk therapy, it’s not as battle-weary soldiers; it’s as warriors who’ve danced with the wind and whispered secrets to ancient trees. The primal scream echoes in the forest, and the trees nod in understanding.


Dear Veteran, You Are the Canvas


So, dear veteran, pick up the brush, strum the chords, mold the clay. Your story isn’t over; it’s just beginning. The canvas awaits your truth, your pain, your resilience. Let creativity be your compass, guiding you back to the heart of life. And remember, even in the darkest hues, there’s always room for light.


You’re not alone. You’re a masterpiece in progress.


Note: Every Sunday night, join us for free painting sessions from 6-7 PM. No words necessary—just show up and use whatever supplies you need. Let the canvas hold your story.



A group of people embracing one another, supporting each other, watching the sunset atop a mountain.
One day, I awoke to learn I was never alone.



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