Making Special: How Everyday Creativity Transforms Life
Introduction
When you think of the word “art,” what comes to mind? Paintings in a gallery? A symphony orchestra? A beautifully plated meal? All these examples share something essential: the act of making special. This simple but powerful idea—first articulated by Ellen Dissanayake (1995)—describes how humans instinctively set apart objects, actions, and spaces to imbue them with meaning and significance.
In art therapy, making special is both a process and a pathway to healing. But it doesn’t stop at the studio. This impulse runs through everything we do: cooking, storytelling, decorating, dancing, even planting a garden. By recognizing the ways we make special in everyday life, we can deepen our sense of purpose, connection, and well-being.
What Is Making Special?
“Making special” means intentionally highlighting, embellishing, or transforming something so it stands out from the ordinary. Dissanayake (1995) observed this across cultures and throughout human history—from prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary rituals.
Consider these examples:
Preparing a family recipe with care and presentation (culinary arts).
Creating a celebratory dance or performance (performing arts).
Designing a garden to mark the changing seasons (environmental arts).
Writing a poem to honor a loved one (literary arts).
Arranging objects into a personal altar or sacred space (visual arts).
These acts may seem different on the surface, but they all share the same intention: to elevate experience. Some would venture to say that making special is the definition of art itself.
Making Special in Art Therapy
Art therapy channels this universal drive in a purposeful, healing context. When clients enter the art therapy space, they engage in making special in ways that can:
Affirm Identity: Clients choose materials and symbols that reflect their experiences and values.
Restore Agency: Transforming materials restores a sense of control, especially after trauma or loss (Malchiodi, 2012).
Cultivate Mindfulness: Focusing on colors, textures, and sensations grounds clients in the present moment.
Create Meaning: Personal artwork becomes a container for emotions and stories that may be hard to verbalize.
Strengthen Relationships: Group art therapy can foster community and shared purpose through collaborative creation.
From a therapeutic perspective, making special is not merely decoration—it is an embodied practice of self-expression and self-determination.
Everyday Creativity as Art
While art therapy provides a structured environment for making special, the same principles apply to the art of living. Many everyday activities are, in fact, forms of art:
Culinary Arts: Preparing food with intention, creativity, and care transforms nourishment into a sensory celebration.
Performing Arts: Movement, music, and drama express emotion and bring communities together.
Literary Arts: Writing, journaling, and storytelling help us shape narratives that sustain us.
Environmental Arts: Designing spaces and gardens reflects our need to create beauty and belonging.
When we recognize these activities as creative acts, we validate our natural capacity for artistry and connection.
A New Lens on Your Environment
Seeing your life through the lens of making special reframes everyday routines as opportunities for meaning-making. Instead of thinking creativity belongs only to professional artists, you can honor the ways you already engage in artful living:
Preparing a simple meal with fresh herbs and thoughtful plating.
Curating a playlist that captures your mood.
Personalizing a workspace to reflect your values.
Writing notes of encouragement to friends.
Arranging seasonal decorations that mark transitions.
Each of these small gestures can become a ritual of care and self-expression.
Integrating Making Special Into Your Daily Life
Consider inviting more making special into your days:
Mindfulness: Slow down to notice the sensory qualities of ordinary tasks.
Intention: Ask yourself, “What could make this moment feel more meaningful?”
Playfulness: Experiment with color, texture, and form without worrying about perfection.
Connection: Share creative practices with loved ones to deepen bonds.
Art therapy clients often discover that when they practice making special, they experience greater self-compassion, resilience, and joy.
Conclusion
Making special is a reminder that creativity is not a luxury or an afterthought—it is an essential human need. Whether you are engaging in art therapy, preparing a meal, or designing a garden, these acts of intentional transformation bring beauty and meaning into your life.
By embracing this perspective, you reclaim your role as an active participant in shaping your environment, your relationships, and your sense of self. Every day becomes an opportunity to make special—and in doing so, to live artfully.
References
Dissanayake, E. (1995). Homo aestheticus: Where art comes from and why. University of Washington Press.
Malchiodi, C. A. (2012). Handbook of art therapy (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.