3 simple calming creative moments
I wanted to share 3 very simple ways I have been incorporating curiosity and creativity in my day to help me find calm.
These can be done in as little as 10 minutes if that’s what your day affords.
They can be intentional (actively going for a walk before or after work) or incidental (a little sketch at your desk).
Drawing and mindfulness practices activate our parasympathetic nervous system, the one that calms us and processes stress. Being creative helps us connect more to ourselves and the world around us.
So instead of scrolling on your phone, pick up a pen instead and try one of these:
creative moment #1: Three Mindful Objects in a Jar
Step 1
Draw an oval with an opening in the middle of a piece of paper.
This could be with pencil or pen and you can draw on A4 paper, a post-it note or even the back of an envelope.
Step 2
Draw 2 lines in parallel down your page, starting from your oval to form the sides of the jar. Then add a slightly curved line to join them to form the base.
Step 3
Look around you. Observe 3 objects that would fit in a jar. The pen you’re using, a leaf out the window, a fork even? It doesn’t really matter. Now draw those 3 things inside your jar.
Tip: try capture the objects with as simple little lines as you can.
This is not about your end drawing, in fact you can scrunch it up afterwards if you wish. It’s about the act of slowing down, observing and taking time to do something with your hands.
creative moment #2: Walk, Collect, Create
Step 1
Go for a walk. Put your phone down although, you can play relaxing music in headphones if you’d like. Forget trying to catch the bus or reach a step count, trying walking more slowly than your usual pace.
Step 2
Look around you as you walk. Find a flower, feather or leaf you can collect.
Tip: Be mindful not to take anything more than you need, and choose something plentiful and public, not part of a display garden or park.
Step 3
Back at home, in the office or classroom, do a quick little sketch of your collected item.
Tip: This sketch was done as a continuous line drawing. I didn’t take my pen off the paper until I’d captured it . This helped me let go of the need to be perfect and just enjoy the squiggles.
Creative Moment #3: A Colour walk
Step 1
Choose a colour to look for and go for a walk. As you walk mindfully look for that colour all around you. In nature, flowers, cars, architecture, even in the outfits of people around you.
Tip: Dressing in that colour is purely optional, but clearly something I love to do to add to my self-expression and joy. Today I chose purple.
Step 2
You can simply observe. Or if you’d like, take a photo or write a little list of all the coloured items you find.
Step 3:
Use this process to slow down. Maybe literally smell the roses. Look at the variety and colour and details around you that you usually just rush past.
Bonus
If you feel inspired you can take it a step further and use the shapes, colours and experience to create some art. Just for the calm of it.
Can you find a creative moment today? Just for the calm of it.
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