With World Mental Health Day coming up, I’ve been thinking about the little things we can do to look after ourselves and, of course, for me, drawing is one of them.

Not because picking up your coloured pencils magically makes everything better, but because sometimes drawing can give your mind somewhere else to go for a little while.

You’re looking. You’re noticing. You’re creating. You’re slowing down.

I’ve talked before about why creativity can be so important for our mental health, but today I want to talk about something slightly different: taking the pressure out of your creativity.

Because your drawing doesn’t always have to be about improving or creating a finished piece.

Sometimes, you can simply pick up your pencils because spending a little time creating feels good.

When your head feels busy, make it small

Forget the whole drawing for a moment.

Choose one eye, one petal or one tiny patch of fur and give that your attention.

Look at the shapes. Notice the colours. Add one layer and then another.

And don’t worry if you only have ten minutes. Ten minutes still counts.

You don’t have to finish something for your creative time to matter.

If you’re not sure where to begin, you can always choose something small from my free coloured pencil tutorials and guides.

When your inner critic gets loud…

That’s rubbish. You’ve got that wrong. Everyone else’s drawing is better.

We’ve probably all heard that little voice at some point!

But just because you think something doesn’t make it true.

Add another layer. Make another mark. Keep playing.

Overthinking can take so much of the enjoyment out of something we started because we loved it. I’ve written more about that in Why You’re Not Bad at Drawing. You’re Just Thinking Too Much.

And when that little voice does appear, try to come back to one question:

Why did you pick up your pencils in the first place?

Let it be imperfect

You don’t have to copy every hair or feather perfectly. You don’t have to finish everything you start.

And every drawing certainly doesn’t need to be worthy of a frame!

Sometimes you can just create because it feels good to create.

Play with colour. Scribble on a scrap of paper. Draw one eye and absolutely nothing else.

Give yourself permission to make something without worrying about where it’s going or what anyone else will think of it.

And when it all feels too much…

Put the pencil down. Take a breath. Have a wander.

Drawing should never become another thing on your list that you feel you have to do.

Come back when you’re ready. Your pencils aren’t going anywhere.

What would feel good to do with your pencils today?

Instead of asking yourself:

“What should I be drawing?”

Perhaps ask:

“What would feel good to do with my pencils today?”

It might be ten minutes of colour swatching. One tiny section of a drawing. Following a tutorial. Or simply sitting down and seeing what happens.

If you need a little inspiration, you’ll find plenty to choose from in my free coloured pencil resources.

Because looking after ourselves can sometimes be found in really small things – including giving ourselves a little time to do something we love.

Your pencils don’t always have to be about becoming a better artist. Sometimes they can simply be somewhere to go for a little while.

A little bit of quiet.
A little bit of joy.
A place to breathe.