A Creative Presence Practice
For those experiencing a season where they no longer feel like themselves, don’t know why, and crave peace and self-trust.
This practice is offered as gentle support during that phase — not to fix anything or create clarity, but to help you stay with yourself long enough to feel steadiness again.
Nothing needs to resolve.
Nothing needs to make sense.
You’re simply giving your system a place to land.
Beginning
Choose a YouTube video that shows how to paint a mountain.
Beginner is more than enough.
Use the materials you already have, or gather what feels supportive.
They don’t need to match the video exactly.
Before you begin, sit with your feet flat on the floor.
Take a few slow, deep belly breaths.
Feel your jaw unclench, and your shoulders drop.
Feel the weight of your body and the ground beneath you.
Stay here until you feel yourself settle in your body.
Painting
Begin painting alongside the video.
Work at whatever pace suits you.
You might pause the video often to understand a brushstroke.
You might watch once and paint afterward.
All of it belongs.
As you paint, notice what arises — moments of calm, frustration, focus, comparison, steadiness, or doubt.
Nothing needs to change.
Noticing is the practice.
With time and repetition, the experience of flow and presence often grows naturally.
When the Internal Noise Shows Up
You may notice internal chatter, especially at first.
It might sound like:
I can’t do this.
Mine looks wrong.
I should be better at this.
It might feel like an inner battle.
You don’t need to make the noise stop.
Simply notice it — and return to the painting.
This chatter is often what will eventually be shed.
For now, you’re just letting it be seen while your hands keep moving.
Time & Space
Paint for about 10–15 minutes a day, or longer if it feels supportive.
Stop if your body feels tired or strained.
If possible, paint in silence.
Turn off notifications.
Use electronics only for the painting instruction.
Sometimes this means choosing a quiet moment when you know you’ll be alone.
Other times, it means letting others know you’re taking this time for yourself.
You don’t need to explain.
What to Expect
This practice won’t fix anything.
It won’t make the storm disappear.
What it often offers instead is subtle —
a felt sense of steadiness,
a quiet grounding,
a reminder that part of you is still here.
That is enough for now.