Are you going through life awake?
How often do you present your true self to the world, while receiving the whole of your surroundings? — versus — How often do you sleep-walk through life, reacting to culture, your own psychology, and the status quo?

If we observe nature long enough, we notice patterns and synchronicities that directly connect to human life, but in order to notice these subtleties, we must approach our lives with awareness. We must be awake to the present moment and alert to our physical and emotional state in order to co-create a life that reflects our true-selves.

The therapeutic activity below was designed as an opportunity to observe how culture, emotions, and personal life events influence our awareness. By viewing and creating the same scene multiple times over several days, subtle shifts in perspective become clear. We start to visualize how we may approach life in a way that is disconnected from our true selves based on external circumstances.

1. Review the month ahead and reserve twelve days for creative self-care. This activity should take no more than one hour to complete on each day.

2. Locate or set-up a scene that can remain relatively un-altered throughout the month. This could be a view from your kitchen window, a still-life set up at your desk, etc. Refer to this month’s moodboard for inspiration. If possible, arrange a creative workspace near your scene, which can remain in-place as well. Keep things simple so that you’re able to come back and create easily.

3. Select a page in your sketchbook and draw a simple grid of twelve squares. (I chose to measure 1.25in x 1.5in rectangles across a 4in x 6in grid)

4. On the days you reserved for creative self-care, sit down at your workspace and set the intention of being fully present in the creative moment. Before starting the art activity, ground yourself by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath.

5. Take a few moments to observe your surroundings. Gently begin to recreate the simple scene in front of you by painting, drawing, sketching, or coloring what you see inside a square of the grid. Lighting may alter things. Mood may shift your perspective.

6. Repeat each day, filling your grid.

7. At the end of the twelve days, jot down your reflections on an adjacent page in your journal:

   1. Can you recall the mood you were in when you created each scene? Did a shift in emotions influence your perspective over the twelve days?

   2. Did any external circumstances influence how you approached one day over another? (ex: the news, global events, politics, a conversation with a loved one, a work deadline, a sick kid, etc.)

   3. Which scene represents your true perspective or a moment when you felt you were your true self? Put a star by that scene and write about why it resonates.

   4. Did the process of creating these scenes lead to any breakthroughs or stir up any unexpected thoughts/emotions?

   5. Do you feel you are awake in life? or simply coasting through?

Laina Miller is an Artist, Creative Wellness Consultant, 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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