CREATIVE CARE PRACTICE
Inside your box are simple tools: a sketchpad, a pencil, markers, grounding objects, and two small packs of air-dry clay. Use these simple tools to create powerful moments. The prompts below are meant to serve as a guide for deep reflection, stress reduction, and connection. Feel free to complete the prompts in the order they are given or change them up if you wish.
Arrive and Notice Activity — Take one minute to breathe slowly. Notice how your body feels in this moment. Observe feelings, thoughts, and emotions without judgment or the need to change anything. After the minute has passed, draw or sketch a simple shape or symbol in your sketchbook that represents your current state of being. Again, there is no need to judge or change anything about your thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs. This is simply your creative opportunity to express them visually. Your only creative task is to observe and track yourself and visually draw, doodle, and/or color what you’re noticing. For additional reflection, spend 5-10 minutes journaling after you have created something inside your sketchbook. This is a practice you can come back to daily.
Nature Mirror Activity — Step outside if possible. Take a short walkabout. It could be in your neighborhood, or someplace else that you feel called to visit or explore. On your walkabout, find something in nature that catches your interest. Notice its shape, color, size, texture, and smell (if applicable). Spend the next 30 minutes drawing or sketching it in your notebook. The goal is not a perfect masterpiece. The goal is simply to relate to your object of choice. For additional reflection, spend 5-10 minutes journaling about this experience inside your sketchbook.
Imagination Activity — Close your eyes, breathe deeply for one minute. Now orient your heart and mind towards your future dreams. Imagine your life one year from now. What if all the things you hoped for came true? Draw a symbol that represents this future. If it seems difficult to imagine such a future symbol, don’t panic. Bring your attention to what you need in this very moment. Is it something that makes you feel safe? Relaxed? Inspired? It could be anything big or small. Once you have the idea, draw it. For additional reflection, spend 5-10 minutes journaling about this experience inside your sketchbook.
Transformation Activity — Take one minute of slow, deep breaths. Open one pack of clay. Shape it into a form that represents something you are currently carrying in your life — a challenge, question, or feeling. Take a moment to look at the clay form you created. Now open the second pack of clay. Create something that represents strength, resilience, or possibility. Feel free to fuse the clay creations if you’d like. For additional reflection, spend 5-10 minutes journaling about this experience inside your sketchbook.
Connection and Deepening Activity — If you are with others, share one image or idea from your creative care practice. Ask that person if they would like to draw or sketch a response to your image. Allow them to use your sketchbook to do so. If you are alone, feel free to draw or sketch a response to one of your own images.
Weekly Creative Care Activity — For the next week, incorporate a daily practice of completing one drawing or sketch in your sketchbook. You can track your current state daily or spend more time outdoors with things that reflect your current mood. The choice is yours. For additional reflection, at the end of each daily drawing, spend 5-10 minutes journaling about this experience inside your sketchbook.
Closing and Celebration Activity — Once you have completed all the other prompts, draw a symbol that represents what you are taking with you from this creative care experience. For additional reflection, spend 5-10 minutes journaling about this experience inside your sketchbook. Now let’s celebrate! Feel free to share an image or two with us by clicking on the link below.