By Karen Lee, Health Improvement Officer
Last year, I wrote about how I don’t really see myself as a creative person but how the arts are still part of my everyday life. Watching films, listening to music, reading, taking photos all play a role in how I look after my mental wellbeing.
This year’s theme of reflection made me think about that a bit more.
Reflection doesn’t have to mean sitting down and analysing your thoughts. For a lot of us, it happens more naturally. A film that you remember. A song that brings back memories. Looking through photos and remembering a good day. These moments can give you a bit of mental space to notice how you’re doing.
From a mental wellbeing point of view, that matters. Taking time, however small, to notice what’s going well, what’s been tough, and what helps can make it easier to look after ourselves every day.
But reflection isn’t just about us as individuals. It’s also about the bigger picture.
Things like having enough money to get by, feeling secure in your home, access to good food, and being connected to other people all shape our mental wellbeing. For many people, these aren’t always in place and that has a real impact.
The arts can help here too. They create spaces where people can connect, feel part of something, and have their experiences heard and understood. They can also help us see the realities of people’s lives…the good and the difficult.
Simple Ways to Use the Arts to Reflect
- Notice what stays with you
After a film, song or book- what stuck? That’s often where reflection starts.
- Look back at everyday moments
Photos, music or even conversations can remind you what matters and what helps.
- Take short pauses
Even 5–10 minutes with something you enjoy can give you a bit of headspace.
- Keep it real
Reflection doesn’t need to be deep or time consuming. Small moments count.
For me, reflection is less about doing anything formal and more about remembering to notice what’s already there.
So, if you’re not an “artist”, like me, that’s ok. You don’t need to be. The arts can still give you a simple way to pause, reflect, and take care of your mental wellbeing while also helping us think about what we need, individually and as communities, to stay well.
North Ayrshire Mental Health Arts Festival 