Hello there,
What do you do when everything feels loud, hard, and heavy?
I’m learning that times like these are great for making some low-pressure, weird art about things I like. (If you find yourself in a similar position, you can see instructions in a previous letter.)
Even if (or especially if) this seems like a strange distraction amid collective struggles, it can be a powerful thing to calm your anxious brain by focusing temporarily on what you love.
These days, I’ve been temporarily redirecting my attention by doodling about the delights of doodling about delights.
You can see more below.
Know what else is delightful? All the nice interactions I get to have with clients, colleagues, family, and friends like you.
Thank you for being here. I belatedly wish you all kinds of delights in the year ahead.
Keep creating,
Sarah
Resources + Inspiration:
- 5 Benefits of Journaling for Mental Health, PositivePsychology.com
- The Neuroscience of Gratitude and Its Effect on the Brain, PositivePsychology.com
- Gratitude enhances health, brings happiness, and may even lengthen lives, Harvard Health
- Oliver Burkeman’s New Year Newsletter
- Jill Badonsky’s Newsletter
15 Responses
I love this. You are so right. We all need a creative outlet in a world of overwhelming noise. And as AI continues to show up in every part of our lives, we will seek out ways to create without it. Of course it helps when you are talented like you are but I think the idea is to do it in order to express ourselves unaided by technology. To get back to that part of ourselves that thinks and feels. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you for reading and your reflections, Anat. I so appreciate your clear thoughts on this.
Sarah! I just enjoyed some relaxing time appreciating your delightful doodles! How many friends named Terry do you have? I think I was just looking at a doodle of me!? 🙂 I’m so happy that you have found a positive outlet in journaling and drawing. Your sketches and sweet stories are inspiring. What a lovely reminder in how we can find enjoyment in even the smallest of things we create. I love your drawings/ sketches/ doodles. Perhaps one day you will host a doodling workshop to inspire others? You have a lot of wisdom to share with the world and I am happy to see you’re doing so in your newsletter. Thanks for sharing your art and thoughts with us! Have a happy day.
There is only one Terry C.! Thank you for spending some time with me here and for your kind comment. Love you tons.
Love you too. I look forward to more of your doodles & inspirations 🙂
I love all the doodles and I too am a notebook girlie!! Something about paper and pen feels so therapeutic.
Thank you Lexa! You definitely are, and it definitely does!
I love this! I agree that creativity is healing, therapeutic, and necessary to a balanced life (to me anyway!) My creativity doesn’t always involve pen in paper. In addition to writing, I enjoy baking and decorating. But the intention is the same – to just be in the moment creating something I enjoy and having fun doing it. Thanks for this affirmation. 🩷
Ah, thank you Janet! I love this, and love that you find joy in baking and decorating.
I love this and your doodles are beautiful!
Thanks so much Annie! Appreciate you reading and leaving a comment.
This is beautiful! There is something interesting that happens when you sit with a pen or pencil and a blank page. Especially when you don’t put pressure on yourself to create other than what’s in your mind. Thank you for sharing your talent and process with us!
Thank you Karen! So kind of you to take the time to read and leave a comment.
Just came to this, like reaching the oasis after a desert crossing. So deeply felt and alive. Notebooks are for me, too, a place to explore and play, though I am almost desperately verbally inclined and feel inspired by your piece to try some doodling in my margins. Just let go, let in, let out … permission to be as we are, that’s what notebook entries are for me. Thank you, Sarah, for this beautiful message of reflection and heart.
Wow, David! Thanks so much for reaching out with your own practice. I love that! I’m more visual than verbal, and the words in my journals are messy but meaningful. Appreciate you.