Sometimes Drawing is Better than Writing

Link to Episode 19

Many years ago, in my 20s, I went through a confusing and difficult time.

I had just finished university but I knew that I didn’t want to go on with my practical training to become a teacher.

However, I had no idea what I wanted to do instead with my life.

My partner and I went on a three-week hike through the Pyrenees, a mountain range between Spain and France, and then on a six-month trip to New Zealand, where we worked and travelled.

Those trips were beautiful…stunning, but unfortunately overshadowed by my growing depression because I felt lost and without direction.

I’ve always loved journalling and first tried to solve my problems with writing and thinking.

Writing and thinking.

But it just got worse. My thoughts kept spinning, and I wasn’t able to stop them.

Then one day, when I was browsing the library of a tiny seaside town near Christchurch, I discovered “The Creative License” by Danny Gregory.

I started following his advice and began to draw.

I didn’t get any fancy sketchbooks or art utensils. I only used a cheap pen and a lined notebook.

I didn’t want to produce art; I just wanted to become present and see what was actually happening in front of me. And that’s what saved me, what helped me out of this endless cycle of thinking and worrying.

Words and thoughts just felt too painful. They were repetitive, made me feel stuck, and didn’t lead anywhere.

Drawing, however, was different, especially when I let go of any expectations about how the thing in front of me was supposed to look. I was able to let go of the preconceived idea, the image I had of a plant, for example, and I could just focus on the lines in relation to each other.

Drawing something in front of you without looking at your page, just following the outline of the object with your eyes and making the same movement with your pen on paper really helps to slow you down, become present, and SEE the object in front of you.

I still have vivid memories of the moments in New Zealand when I just sat and drew.

Suddenly everything around me became more colourful and alive again, even when I wasn’t drawing.

I started to see the world with different eyes and became more present. I didn’t need to think my way out of my problems anymore; I could just be.

And things started to fall into place by themselves. Next steps started to open up without effort.

I think there are many ways to get out of your head and become more present.

Drawing was the one that helped me back then.