Living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a journey. Every person has their own path, but there are some common themes, including physical pain, emotional challenge, and a sense of isolation or loneliness. We often need ways to cope with all of these things, which can include more formal techniques but also things that we can do by ourselves to find an outlet for difficult emotions and experiences.

I talked with Daniel Leighton—painter, augmented reality artist, filmmaker, technologist, and long-time Crohn’s disease patient—to explore why art is a powerful tool for processing trauma, expressing emotions, and finding hope in the setting of chronic illness.

Drawing on Daniel’s tips and experiences, this post breaks down the main themes and actionable tips for anyone interested in using art for healing and self-understanding, regardless of artistic skill.