Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week

Have you ever found yourself staring at a blank piece of paper, coloured pencils beside you, your mind racing—and wondered, Where do I even begin?

You’re not alone. For so many of us, art is more than a hobby. It’s a lifeline. A quiet, creative escape. A gentle act of self-care in a world that rarely stops spinning.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to talk about something close to my heart—the benefits of art for mental health, and why creativity, especially with coloured pencils, can make such a powerful difference to your wellbeing.

The Healing Power of Creativity

In one of my monthly confidence sessions, I talked about a simple truth: when you start to really know yourself, your confidence grows.

But getting to know yourself again—especially after years of putting everyone else first—can feel a bit overwhelming, can’t it?

That’s where art comes in. Gently. Patiently. Like a quiet friend saying, “Let’s just play for a while.”

When you draw—even if it’s just an eye or a soft flick of fur—you’re giving your brain a rest from the noise. You’re building focus. Creating calm. You’re allowing emotions to flow safely. And perhaps most importantly—you’re proving to that loud inner critic that yes, you are good enough.

Why Creativity Supports Mental Health

There’s plenty of research out there now that backs this up—engaging in creative activities can:

• Lower anxiety and stress levels
  
• Boost mood and self-esteem
  
• Help process difficult emotions
  
• Improve focus and mindfulness
  

You Don’t Need to “Be an Artist”

I hear this all the time: “I’m not an artist.”, “I can’t even draw a stick figure.”

Here’s the truth—if you love creating, you are an artist.

Whether you’ve been drawing for years or you’ve only just picked up your pencils again after decades, the impact is the same. Creativity helps you reconnect with you—and that’s one of the most important steps to improving your mental health.

A Community That Gets It

And you don’t have to do it alone. One of the most beautiful things about the coloured pencil community I’ve built is how kind, encouraging, and understanding it is.

If you’re looking for gentle encouragement, creative inspiration, and a safe place to share your art (even the wobbly ones!), Ignite could be just what you need.

It’s more than a membership—it’s a kind, welcoming community of artists who know what it’s like to feel unsure but keep showing up anyway. They’ll lift you up, celebrate your progress, and be there when your confidence needs a boost.

Alongside hundreds of tutorials and live draws, you’ll also get monthly confidence sessions to quiet that inner critic, believe in yourself, and feel proud of what you create

✨Ignite opens on 19th May for one week only , and I’d love you to be part of it! Join the waitlist now and be the first to know the moment doors open ✨

Join my waitlist now → https://bonnysnowdonacademy.com/ignite-waitlist/

This Week, Give Yourself Permission

So as we honour Mental Health Awareness week I want you to give yourself permission. To pause. To play. To create without pressure. To use your pencils as a way back to yourself.

Because looking after your mental health doesn’t always have to be big or dramatic. Sometimes, it starts with a single, quiet stroke of colour.

Bonny x