I've never shared this with anyone
Our voices are saturated with who we are, embodied in the rhythms, tonal variations, associations, images and other somato-sensory metaphors in addition to the content meaning of the words.
Our voices are embodiments of ourselves, whether written or spoken. It is in times of extremity that we long to find words or hear another human voice letting us know we are not alone. - Carroll R. / Finding the words to say it: the healing power of poetry.
It is in times of extremity that we long to find words or hear another human voice letting us know we are not alone.
Did we intend Voices Unleashed to become a platform for people to increase their self-esteem, reduce stress, process trauma, or find belonging? Maybe the belonging part, but I’d be lying if I said yes to the others.
It’s one thing to have research say these things. It’s a whole other to experience it again and again and viscerally feel the research being confirmed.
And all of the above was felt from the very first event we did, back in June 2020.
After a range of wonderful performances, a young woman in the center of the room raises her hand.
“Can I go, as well?”
The room swells up, this woman is tapping into her courage.
“I’ve never shared this with anyone”.
Yet here she is, encouraged by the voices of a few strangers before her, walking to the low wooden stool and taking a seat in front of 35 people she’s never met.
“I lost a child. And these were the words that came to me.”
A boulder drops in our stomachs. Our throats block up. And all we can do is hold compassion and support the young woman in front of us by letting her every word fill our hearts in honor of her child.
Tears were shed. By her, by the crowd. When she finished her poem, she sighed. She shook off some off the weight of her grief and allowed the room to carry it for her, even if for a brief moment. Silent was the exhale.
Right after, David - musician and visual artist - got up, his dog following his every step. He sat down on that same wooden barstool. And he shared a song about a very similar experience, giving a deeper artistic layer to the feelings none of us could speak but were aching to express.
That’s what art does in a moment like that, to speak the unspoken. To provide a relief. It helps us peek through the blinds of our complex inner worlds and make the difficult to understand suddenly clear.
We never intended Voices Unleashed to be focused on mental wellbeing. But if you’ve ever painted, drawn, or written to express yourself you have no doubt felt its effect.
The research is clear cut: just 45 minutes of drawing or free writing or painting reduces our cortisol levels by 75%. Expressing creatively helps us process emotions better. We walk away with higher self-esteem and resilience to face what we’re up against.
In 188 Unplugged events around the world, stories like the one above pop up countless times. It only reinforces our drive to grow Voices Unleashed.
Now that times of extremity are once again on our screens and in front of our doors,
maybe safe spaces of expression are the best way through.
I'm Roel W.T. Cruys. Writer, strategist, poet, CEO and founder of Voices Unleashed, a global art community built around the power of expression (think TEDx for Art).
Always in search of the next human story - that which connects us. From our defining moments to our greatest aims.
Whenever you're ready, here’s how I’d love to help you:
Ethos - Reposition your services and offers
We ditch the cookie-cutter marketing and craft new offers and messaging for one-of-a-kind businesses.
Origo - Founder Story
Allow people to connect to you, through your story.
Tailor-made communication strategy
roel@roelcruys.com
Our global art community
Voices Unleashed