Don’t get me wrong, spending my days in FSU’s Herbert Wertheim College of Business is fruitful. I love seeing my friends, enjoying the newest building on campus and, of course, learning, but it doesn’t quite satisfy my creative side.
Art is what truly waters my garden. As a student majoring in finance and management information systems, I don’t often get to use my right brain in my curriculum. Because of this, incorporating art into my everyday life is one of my favorite self-care practices at FSU.
Music
Music is one of the most important parts of my life. Whether it’s easy listening, artist deep dives, or going to concerts, music is something I can’t live without. For me, music serves as a coping mechanism, comfort, interest, and hobby. It’s rare to catch me in my apartment without my record player or Spotify playing in the background.
When I find an artist I really love, delving into their discography becomes my new favorite pastime. Most recently, it’s been Isaiah Rashad, specifically his sophomore album: The Sun’s Tirade. Beyond just passive listening, understanding lyrics and breaking down instrumentals resonates with me in a way that nothing else can.
Journaling
Journaling every day has maintained its spot on my New Year’s Resolution list since I was in elementary school. It was only this year that I cracked the code to staying consistent, deeming it an optional activity.
Writing in my journal is an instrumental tool in clearing my mind and organizing my thoughts, but I don’t force myself to write every day. I really only find myself writing a journal entry when I’m on one of the polar ends of the emotional spectrum. Lamenting about my stressors and raving about my peaks is my favorite way to understand myself better.
When I’m not writing, though, my preferred way of journaling is making collages and spreads. The receipts I shove in my purse when I can’t find a trash can and tailgating wristbands that accumulate on my desk meet their life’s purpose when I glue them onto a page. Making spreads that represent significant events or time periods of my life preserves physical memories in a centralized location.
TV & Movies
Just trust me on this one: watching TV is a form of appreciating art! I’m not making an argument for Sunday couch rotting with Earle Meets World in the background (no shade), but this summer I found a new love for thought-provoking media.
Written and produced by Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino, FX’s Atlanta has become my new favorite series. This series follows an up-and-coming rapper and his entourage as they explore themes of race, art, and social hierarchy in Atlanta, Georgia (and Europe in season 3). With one-off episodes sprinkled throughout the series, Atlanta has probed my mind in ways that only an artistic piece could.
If you need a relaxing way to consume art, I can’t recommend giving your undivided attention to a TV show or movie.
Her Campus at FSU!
The most obvious form of art on my list is Her Campus at FSU! I’ve always had a love for writing, whether it’s creative or informative, and Her Campus has given me a medium to do it. Her Campus doesn’t just give me an opportunity to nurture my creative side, but it’s also helped me connect with so many other women with the same passion.
Every art form is valuable, each with its own nuance and meaning. Consuming art propels me to grow and think deeper. After all, as they say, “Earth without art is just eh.”
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