The Power of Small Creative Acts When You're Chronically Ill

By Victoria (Tori) Martinez

When living with chronic illness, chronic pain, and disabilities our days often revolve around managing symptoms, conserving energy, and finding ways to simply get through.

But I've learned that creativity doesn't always mean big projects or the next artistic masterpiece. Sometimes it's the small creative acts we weave into our daily lives that bring us the most healing comfort and joy. So, I thought I'd share some of the things that I've been doing daily with all of you, in the hopes you can incorporate some of them into your life as well.

Creativity in this sense becomes less about performance and more about our nourishment. It's a way to express ourselves, connect with beauty, gently care for our minds and bodies, and find ways to slow down. Here are a few small but powerful creative practices that have helped me on my own journey.

Creating Soothing Bath Rituals

Bathing has always been soothing for me, but I found that turning it into a creative ritual makes it even more healing. The fact that I don't always have the strength to draw a bath for myself makes it even more special when I am able to do that. Recently, I started making my own bath salts by mixing Epsom salts with organic, beautifully smelling, healing essential oils. The process is simple, but there's something deeply satisfying about combining sense and textures that feels grounding and calming. It transforms a regular bath into a sensory experience, and gives us a way to romanticize a simple act of self-care. It’s something we can touch, smell, and immerse ourself in when we're in need of rest.

Baking with Care and Intention

Because of gluten sensitivities I bake gluten free foods and this practice has become a quiet joy. From banana bread, to zucchini bread, the process of baking allows me to create something nurturing for myself and my family. There's creativity in choosing flavors, textures, and even how I pack it and share what I make with others. It's a way to offer love, both to myself and to the people I care about, through food that meets my body's needs.

Designing a Sensory-Friendly Home

Home becomes even more important when illness keeps us inside more often. I've learned that small creative choices in my environment make a big difference in how I feel. Bright lights can be overwhelming, so I've replaced them with softer twinkle lights and electric candles. They create warmth without overwhelming my senses. For me creativity is not just about art it's about designing comfort, safety, and beauty in the space I live in every day.

Why These Small Acts Matter

 Each of these creative artifacts may seem random and even small, but they've helped me feel more connected to myself and my healing journey. They remind me that creativity isn't limited to a canvas, it can live in a kitchen, a bath, or the way I arrange a room.

When chronic illness narrows what we can do, creativity opens what is still possible. It invites us to explore beauty and expression in ways that fit our bodies and our lives right now. And often it is in these little acts where we rediscover pieces of joy, tranquility, and empowerment.

If you're living with chronic illness, I encourage you to notice the small ways you already bring creativity into your days. Maybe it's in the meals you prepare, the music you choose to listen to, or the way you organize your spaces. These acts are powerful. They're proof that even when our bodies feel limited our creative spirit is limitless. Take a moment today to do one small creative thing for yourself, it doesn’t have to be big to be powerful.