A 20-Minute Art Practice for When You Feel Overwhelmed

When life feels full, art is often the first thing to disappear.

We tell ourselves we don’t have the time. Or the headspace. Or the energy.

But overwhelm doesn’t mean art isn’t possible.

It often means we need a different way in.

Why Overwhelm and Creativity Clash

When you’re overwhelmed, your nervous system is busy.

Big projects feel impossible. Open-ended creativity can feel like too much.

This is why short, contained practices matter.

They give your mind a boundary — and your attention somewhere safe to land.

The Value of a Time Limit

Twenty minutes isn’t about productivity.

It’s about permission.

Knowing there’s a clear beginning and end allows you to relax into the process.

You don’t need to finish anything. You don’t need a result.

You just need to arrive.

A 20-Minute Practice You Can Try Today

If things feel heavy, try this gentle structure:

Minutes 1–5: Arriving:

Sit quietly with your materials. Take a few slow breaths. Let your shoulders soften.

Minutes 6–15: Making:

Choose one simple subject — a plant, your hand, an object on the table. Draw slowly. Stay with what you see.

Minutes 16–20: Pausing:

Stop drawing. Look at what you’ve made. Notice how your body feels now compared to when you began.

That’s it.

This Isn’t About Escaping Life

This kind of practice isn’t about switching off or avoiding what’s hard.

It’s about giving your nervous system a rest.

Art becomes a place to steady yourself — not another thing to achieve.

Over Time, These Small Moments Matter

Twenty minutes won’t change everything.

But repeated gently, it can change how you meet your day.

Confidence, calm, and curiosity grow in small moments like these.

If You’d Like More Practices Like This

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It’s a quiet place — just enough to keep you connected when you’re ready.

Sometimes, that’s all that’s needed.

Debbie x