Drawing for Grumps

A trick to get yourself out of a foggy funk and back in a creative state of mind!

 

How are you guys feeling today? Some days I wake up feeling great, and some days I wake up in a thick, grumpy fog—my body feels heavy, my head feels too big, and everything just feels off.

This morning was one of those foggy, grumpy mornings.

 

Drawing for Grumps. Christine Nishiyama, Might Could Studios

 

I sat down at my desk to work, but nothing was really clicking into place. I knew the things I should be doing but I didn’t want to do them.

I knew drawing would help me get out of my funk, but I was in such a funk that I didn’t want to do that either.

I’ve written before about how drawing helps me reduce stress, calm my anxiety, and manage my emotions. It’s all well and good to know that, but how do we actually DO it? How do we draw even when we don’t feel like it?

 

My Little Trick

I have a little trick that works like a charm every single time, and I’d love to share it with you so you can start using it to make yourself draw even when you feel like a big grump like me! Here it is:

When I really don’t want to draw because I’m feeling grumpy and foggy… THAT’S what I draw! I draw that grumpy, foggy state!

 

Drawing for Grumps. Christine Nishiyama, Might Could Studios

 

I sit down with my sketchbook, and I draw exactly how I’m feeling. I draw mad faces, sad faces, grumpy faces, droopy arms, bloated bellies, bugged out eyes, big eye bags, swollen faces, crossed arms, yelling, crying — however I’m feeling at that exact moment.

It’s kind of like going to a therapy session and just letting it all out, without having to worry about your therapist/friend/significant other judging you for how melodramatic and ridiculous you’re being. No one ever has to see these drawings but you.

 

Drawing for Grumps. Christine Nishiyama, Might Could Studios

 

Trust me, once you start drawing all these pent up emotions and negative feelings, they’ll start seeping right out of your brain — through your body, through your pen, and onto the page.

And after drawing for just a short time, you’ll look down at these mad, sad, frustrated drawings and realize you don’t really feel that way anymore.

 

Drawing for Grumps. Christine Nishiyama, Might Could Studios

 

You’ll be liberated from the fog thanks to the act of drawing and the release of creativity. You made something! Your mind will feel lighter, more clear, and you’ll have a new burst of energy and positivity.

And you just drew something in your sketchbook, so you’re already out in the world accomplishing things and getting stuff done even when you didn’t feel like it a few minutes ago! Look at you go!

So next time you’re feeling grumpy (which I’ll be honest, happens to me a lot) — try it out! Just sit down and draw those grumpy feelings.

 

Drawing for Grumps. Christine Nishiyama, Might Could Studios

 

 

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