Our body is our first home, our physical home is the second one.
To be present in your home, noticing the patterns, textures, and colors, is to be present within yourself. The objects and symbols that you surround yourself with have been chosen from a deeper part of your truth; perhaps they conjure nostalgia, or dreams, or are a representation of who you believe yourself to truly be. Our home is a mirror to our selves and can be a bridge for higher living, revealing harmony and balance.
Consider your home a healing energy, and take stock of the subtleties that you surround yourself with daily.

monthly therapeutic activity

During this busy time of year, block out at least one hour this month to engage in the therapeutic activity below. It is a mindfulness exercise that has proven to reduce stress, lower anxiety, and have grounding benefits. Giving yourself the space for simple creative expression may result in surprising effects. Fresh ideas, solutions to nagging quandaries, or feelings of peace or freedom have been known to arise.

Materials: Sketchbook + your favorite drawing material (ex: micron, graphite pencil, ballpoint or gel pen)
Set your space: Loop the playlist above, light a candle, take four or five slow, deep, cleansing breaths.

1. Open your sketchbook to a blank page.

2. Slowly observe the room around you. Notice the objects in your surroundings, then the textures and patterns, and finally the overall feel of your environment.

3. Close your eyes and absorb the energy of the space.

4. Open your eyes and take stock of the symbols, motifs, textures, and patterns in your room by sketching them in your book. These could be laid down in list form or compiled loosely on the page. Don’t pay attention to order or accuracy. Think of them as doodles and try to release judgement and precision.

5. On the facing page of your sketchbook, create a composition that includes some of the motifs from above and more importantly, conveys the feeling of the space around you. Draw what you feel, not necessarily what you see. Now is the time to be more methodical with your approach. Play with repetition, line weight, and balance.

6. When you come to a stopping point, notice your approach to your composition. Did you try to recreate the scene exactly as it looks? or is your design more abstract?

7. Take a few moments to observe your drawing within your surroundings and next to your drawing, jot down any thoughts or feelings that came up during this process.

8. Acknowledge the mood you captured in your drawing. Is it peaceful? Cluttered? Comforting? Empty? How does it mirror the mood of your room?

Laina Miller is an artist and Social Emotional Arts Instructor. All viewpoints, activities, and insights expressed were generated from personal and professional experience and bolstered by favorite readings, teachers, and mentors. The aforementioned have been cited wherever possible. For additional support, please reach out to a trusted mental health advisor.

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