Do you struggle with meditation? You know it's good for you and you would be well served by it but the time just never works out... or maybe you carve out the time but you just end up sitting there and the meditative experience is miles away. It's possible that trying to force yourself to meditate could actually have the opposite effect and undermine your inner peace.
In this case, finding an activity that helps you quiet the mind might work better than trying to force yourself into mindfulness. Often meditation requires you to sit still and focus on your breath, or a candle, or whatever... and ignore the utter chaos that is happening outside your door (or inside your mind).
Watercolor painting allows you to express yourself through color and form, and to let go of any worries or distractions without trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole.
Watercolor painting is one of the tools that people like us use to reconnect with their inner peace. Watercolor painting can help you hyper-focus on the present moment without forcing yourself into anything. When you're painting with watercolors, you're fully immersed in the activity, focusing on the colors, the brushstrokes, and the water. This helps you stay present and in the moment, and let go of any thoughts, lists, or worries.
... but only if you do it right. There is a secret.
You have to let go of perfectionism and expectations.
Watercolor painting can help you let go. It is a fluid and unpredictable medium, which means that you can't always control the outcome of your painting. This can be a liberating experience, as it allows you to let go of any expectations or judgments you may have, and simply enjoy the process of painting. Especially when your goal becomes the experience not the outcome.
Once you have let go of all that does not serve you on the mental level, it's time to set up the physical to help you maintain a calm and peaceful state throughout the process.
That means you need to think ahead.
You'll need some watercolor paper, brushes, and watercolor paints.
Choose a comfortable and quiet space where you can paint without distractions. You can play some calming music or light a candle to create a peaceful atmosphere. Prepare your favorite drink and maybe also get a glass of water so once you have started you don't have to get leave your painting space for anything.
When you are all set it's time to choose your colors and ideas.
Before you start painting, think about some colors that resonate with you. Different colors can evoke different emotions, so choose ones that make you feel the way you would like to be feeling at this moment. If you are not comfortable just putting brush to paper and seeing what comes out you can take a min to look for some inspiration... but you have to make sure that the inspiration search time doesn't eat up your whole painting time. It's easy to get lost in the world of beautiful paintings and forget the purpose of the exercise.
Before you start painting take a few deep breaths and tune into how you would like to be feeling at the end of this session. This will help you stay present and in the moment, and let go of any thoughts or worries that may be bothering you. Keep your mind focused on choosing colors and brush strokes.
It's interesting to experiment with different brushstrokes and techniques. You can try wet-on-wet painting, dry brush, or other techniques to see what works best for you. See classes for more info on these techniques.
Don't worry about creating a masterpiece. Instead, focus on the process of painting and let go of any expectations or judgments you may have. Embracing imperfection is an important aspect of watercolor painting. It is an imperfect medium, which means that mistakes and imperfections are part of the process. Rather than trying to create a perfect painting, embrace the imperfections and let them add character and uniqueness to your work. Remember that imperfections are part of the process, and they can add character and uniqueness to your work.
Watercolor painting can be a great way to tap into your intuition and creativity. You don't need to have any prior experience or knowledge of art to start painting with watercolors. All you need is a willingness to experiment and try new things.
This meditative watercolor painting technique allows you to focus on something positive and creative, rather than on your worries or problems. Painting with watercolors can be a meditative and calming experience, it helps you feel more relaxed and centered.
If you can't meditate, watercolor painting may be a great alternative for finding inner peace and reducing stress. By focusing on the present moment, letting go of expectations, and embracing imperfection, you can create beautiful and meditative works of art that help you feel more relaxed and centered. Give it a try and see how it can benefit your mental health and well-being.
Painting is Watercolor Leaves by Carla Pennant
