The Power of Creative Expression in Mental Health: My Journey
This is the first of many blogs I’ll be writing to raise awareness about mental health and share ways to cope through creative expression. My name is Zane, and I’ve been attending men’s therapy groups in Austin for several years. Through these groups and my own experiences, I’ve learned the importance of finding healthy outlets for processing emotions and managing anxiety. Today, I want to share how discovering art and crafting in my mid-20s saved my life and led me to create The Outrun Hour, a space for creativity and healing.
It all began when I was 24, living with four roommates in an apartment that felt more like an empty shell than a home. With bare walls and a tight budget, I couldn’t afford to decorate the space. One day, feeling a need to create something of my own, I headed to a Michael’s craft store, grabbed a blank canvas and some paints, and stood in the aisle scrolling through YouTube tutorials. That was the beginning of what would become a life-changing journey into creative self-expression.
Like many people, I’ve dealt with anxiety and anxiousness for as long as I can remember, but I wasn’t fully aware of its grip on my life until my mid-20s. At the time, my primary escape was video games. While games like Halo 3 taught me valuable skills like improved peripheral vision (seriously, I credit it for helping me avoid accidents), they only provided temporary relief. Achieving something in a game, like building a modern home in Minecraft or leveling up ten times in a day, released dopamine but left me unfulfilled. I realized I needed an outlet that could create long-term joy, not just fleeting satisfaction - a false achievement.
That’s what crafting gave me. Finishing my first painting didn’t just decorate my wall; it gave me a sense of accomplishment and a much-needed boost to my mental health. Completing a craft project releases dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—chemicals that generate feelings of happiness, satisfaction, and calm. What I didn’t know at the time is that I was rewiring my brain to experience joy in a healthier, more sustainable way.
The science behind this is fascinating. A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that a 45-minute art session could significantly lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. Participants used materials like markers, modeling clay, and collage elements during the session, and saliva samples taken before and after showed a measurable reduction in cortisol. This study highlights how even a brief creative session can reduce stress and promote mental well-being. You can learn more about cortisol’s effects in articles by Drexel University and the National Library of Medicine.
For me, crafting became more than a hobby—it was a tool for self-discovery and emotional healing. Growing up in a home filled with negativity and substance abuse, I often felt like I had to be someone else to gain acceptance. This caused a series of unhealthy habits and emotions, especially when it came to anger. This people-pleasing behavior carried into adulthood, leaving me disconnected from my true self. Crafting helped me quiet those 60,000 repetitive, mostly negative thoughts we experience daily and enter a “flow state.”
The flow state is a mental zone where you become fully immersed in what you’re doing, losing track of time while accessing deeper creativity and focus. It’s a space where the noise of the outside world fades, and the mind becomes calm and clear. For me, rug tufting became the ultimate flow state activity. It’s a medium that demands attention and time—anywhere from one hour to ten or more, depending on the size of the project. The process is challenging enough to engage my mind but not so overwhelming that it induces stress.
Rug tufting strikes the perfect balance, making it an ideal therapeutic activity. It offers the satisfaction of learning a hands-on skill and creating something tangible. Unlike video games, where achievements are virtual, crafting allows me to produce something real, something I can see, touch, and even use. That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for video games. As I mentioned earlier, Halo 3 taught me practical skills like situational awareness that I still use today. But crafting offers a more profound sense of fulfillment—one that originates internally, rather than relying on external rewards beyond the project itself.
This therapeutic effect inspired me to create The Outrun Hour, a space where others can experience the transformative power of art. You don’t have to be a rug tufter to join us—you can bring a canvas, some paints, or any other creative project you want to work on. We provide a safe, welcoming environment with mocktails and a BYOB policy for those who want to enjoy a drink responsibly. Growing up, I didn’t have a space like this. My childhood home was filled with negativity, and I longed for a place where I could feel accepted and supported.
Through crafting, I’ve been able to heal and find balance in my life. My goal with The Outrun Hour is to help others discover that same sense of peace and fulfillment. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, anxiousness, finding yourself, looking for a new hobby, or simply need a break from the stresses of daily life, creative expression can be a powerful tool for self-care.
In my next blog, I’ll explore the concept of the flow state in greater depth and discuss how it can help you form new habits, skills, and routines that lead to personal growth. For now, I encourage you to try something creative—whether it’s painting, rug tufting, or even building something cool in Minecraft. You never know what you might discover about yourself.
