Hi Cait. I do quick daily meditations, ten minutes each, and I too am a relative newcomer to the process. I use the Calm app (I know, not very sophisticated). I sampled a lot of different meditations. Body scans are effective for me for quelling anxiety, soothing aches and pains, and helping with insomnia. I am intrigued by Transcendental Meditation as so many creative types I admire use it (David Lynch, Martin Scorcese, and others) but to learn TM is expensive, and I am not sure I am hardcore enough yet to make that investment. I find the act of drawing and painting itself to be restorative (perhaps more than meditating) as drawing requires me to give my focused attention to one thing and one thing only. I understand why there are art therapy programs for psych patients. If you can jettison the self critic, the quiet observation required for drawing soothing. I love your drawings and I particularly love that you chose to do a series on things you are grateful for. Great work! Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank YOU for sharing with me Nadine! I love the Calm App, but I've never heard of TM. Definitely going to look into that! And I totally agree, the act of creating freely feels like a form of presence for me too. <3
Oh ja the calm app is so nice as well. I use it daily too. I heard of TM as well and find it quite fascinating but as you said quite expensive so far .
Love the style of the drawings, and how you’ve added meaning to these by making them a meditative practice ☺️ I’ve (sadly) gotten to know anxiety very recently, and breathing meditation doesn’t help much (too much focus on the symptoms), so I love this idea because a creative activity calms my mind a lot more than “regular” meditation - plus I get to focus on the positive by making it a gratitude practice, too! Thanks for sharing it Cait 🥰 glad to hear it has helped you!
<3 I'm so sorry to hear you're dealing with anxiety right now Virginia. And I hope trying something like this brings you lots of peace. I'd love to see your pieces if you feel like sharing!
I love the calming shade of blues and the idea of a gratitude drawings. They are truly beautiful and a great way to slow down. I might give it a try as well 😊
These are so lovely and convey the spirit of mindfulness and gratitude and of summer. Thank you for sharing these and your journey. These have clearly inspired others! (Me, too!)
Beautiful drawings! For me, meditation doesn’t come naturally. I try to do it, but as you say, you end up only doing it when you’re already completely stressed and it feels like you then surpass the purpose. But drawing itself gives much relaxation, when it is only for you and no one else. I’ve recently started a nature journal, drawing things I see around me every week. It makes me look around more when I walk outside, and it makes me appreciate compositions, colours, moods etc. I think seeing your surrounding as art makes me add more mindfulness to my day. Can’t wait to see other artworks you create!
I love this idea! I imagine that like a gratitude journal, it helps to recall all the good things in life, but instead of spending just a minute on writing the thing, drawing would make you spend more time in that feeling of gratitude too! That's such a great idea.
Secondly, I’ve always thought of drawing from life as a mindfulness practice. Being aware of what’s going on in the real world and looking very carefully while putting marks on paper has always stopped my thoughts. After doing a long drawing my mind always feels clean.
I'm moved by how you’ve put creativity into your gratitude practice! Did any particular moment inspire this blend of art and reflection? I’ve featured your paintings in this week’s Sunday Scroll.
I love this idea of illustrated mindfulness! The pictures are really quite evocative and the blue makes it feel a little like delftware!
Ooooo, thanks so much Rachel! Making me want to paint some gratitude plates now!
Loving the blue!
Thanks Maja!
Hi Cait. I do quick daily meditations, ten minutes each, and I too am a relative newcomer to the process. I use the Calm app (I know, not very sophisticated). I sampled a lot of different meditations. Body scans are effective for me for quelling anxiety, soothing aches and pains, and helping with insomnia. I am intrigued by Transcendental Meditation as so many creative types I admire use it (David Lynch, Martin Scorcese, and others) but to learn TM is expensive, and I am not sure I am hardcore enough yet to make that investment. I find the act of drawing and painting itself to be restorative (perhaps more than meditating) as drawing requires me to give my focused attention to one thing and one thing only. I understand why there are art therapy programs for psych patients. If you can jettison the self critic, the quiet observation required for drawing soothing. I love your drawings and I particularly love that you chose to do a series on things you are grateful for. Great work! Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank YOU for sharing with me Nadine! I love the Calm App, but I've never heard of TM. Definitely going to look into that! And I totally agree, the act of creating freely feels like a form of presence for me too. <3
Oh ja the calm app is so nice as well. I use it daily too. I heard of TM as well and find it quite fascinating but as you said quite expensive so far .
Love the blue and its shades.
Love the style of the drawings, and how you’ve added meaning to these by making them a meditative practice ☺️ I’ve (sadly) gotten to know anxiety very recently, and breathing meditation doesn’t help much (too much focus on the symptoms), so I love this idea because a creative activity calms my mind a lot more than “regular” meditation - plus I get to focus on the positive by making it a gratitude practice, too! Thanks for sharing it Cait 🥰 glad to hear it has helped you!
<3 I'm so sorry to hear you're dealing with anxiety right now Virginia. And I hope trying something like this brings you lots of peace. I'd love to see your pieces if you feel like sharing!
Love all the blue.
I love the calming shade of blues and the idea of a gratitude drawings. They are truly beautiful and a great way to slow down. I might give it a try as well 😊
Thank you very much Meo, please do!
So beautiful Cait 💙
Thank you Teresa <3
I love all these drawings, especially Dips in the Dark, so simple and yet so powerful! Love it!🩵💙
These are so lovely and convey the spirit of mindfulness and gratitude and of summer. Thank you for sharing these and your journey. These have clearly inspired others! (Me, too!)
Beautiful drawings! For me, meditation doesn’t come naturally. I try to do it, but as you say, you end up only doing it when you’re already completely stressed and it feels like you then surpass the purpose. But drawing itself gives much relaxation, when it is only for you and no one else. I’ve recently started a nature journal, drawing things I see around me every week. It makes me look around more when I walk outside, and it makes me appreciate compositions, colours, moods etc. I think seeing your surrounding as art makes me add more mindfulness to my day. Can’t wait to see other artworks you create!
I love this idea! I imagine that like a gratitude journal, it helps to recall all the good things in life, but instead of spending just a minute on writing the thing, drawing would make you spend more time in that feeling of gratitude too! That's such a great idea.
Also - I love these monochromatic drawings!
I love your drawings! What a great way to combine the celebration of the fabulous with creativity.
First off, I love the blue!
Secondly, I’ve always thought of drawing from life as a mindfulness practice. Being aware of what’s going on in the real world and looking very carefully while putting marks on paper has always stopped my thoughts. After doing a long drawing my mind always feels clean.
I'm moved by how you’ve put creativity into your gratitude practice! Did any particular moment inspire this blend of art and reflection? I’ve featured your paintings in this week’s Sunday Scroll.