Have you ever rushed to silence sadness? I know I have. But, Bjorn Peterson invites us to sit with it, move with it, and even find strength within it. As a poet, storyteller, and peacebuilder, Bjorn uses the powerful metaphor of bears to explore his identity and navigate his mental health journey.
Courtney and I recently had the privilege of sitting down with Bjorn, whose very name means "bear" which is a connection that has profoundly shaped his understanding of himself and his emotions. Through our conversation, we discovered how he views his experience of living with "bears named Depression and Anxiety," acknowledging them not as enemies to be vanquished, but as intrinsic parts of his experience.
"What if I allowed myself to move like a bear?"
Bjorn poses this thought-provoking question that challenges conventional approaches to difficult emotions. Instead of resisting these states, he embraces them, transforming the concept of sadness from something static into something dynamic, capable of motion and even strength.
I've always viewed sadness as something to avoid at all costs, but Bjorn offers a refreshingly different perspective: "Sadness is also for running." Rather than allowing sorrow to immobilize him, he harnesses it as fuel for movement, growth, and creative expression. Through his poetry, he transforms heavy emotions into art, demonstrating how creative expression serves as a powerful tool for self-discovery and resilience.
For Bjorn, poetry transcends mere self-expression to become a bridge-building practice.
"Poetry opens up new language and understanding,"
he shares, highlighting how writing and reading poetry allows people to articulate emotions that might otherwise feel too complex or overwhelming to address.
The therapeutic power of storytelling shines through his work, not just in telling one's own narrative but in deeply listening to others. "Story hearing is such a powerful part of being human," he reflects, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of storytelling. By truly listening, we create spaces for others to heal, validate their emotions, and discover their authentic voices.
As an artist, Bjorn champions the unique ability of art to hold multiple truths simultaneously. In our polarized world, where conflict often stems from rigid perspectives, art embraces contradictions and nuance.
"Art is best suited for holding multiple truths,"
he asserts, illustrating how creativity becomes a vital force in peacebuilding across differences.
The necessity of diverse voices in storytelling remains central to Bjorn's philosophy. "We need the diversity of voices and insights," he emphasizes, recognizing that each individual's experience contributes to a more complete understanding of humanity. His peacebuilding efforts encourage communities to embrace different narratives, acknowledging that healing often begins with simply being heard.
Throughout his journey as a writer and artist, Bjorn has moved fluidly between academic thought and creative expression. Identifying first as an artist allows him to explore emotions and experiences in unconventional ways. For Bjorn, engaging with art isn't merely a profession, it's a liberating practice that fosters self-expression, healing, and genuine human connection.
How to Connect with Bjorn
To learn more about Bjorn’s work in community building, storytelling, and justice, you can follow and connect with him here:
