5 Creative Habits That Quietly Changed My Life

“You should put up an exhibition of all your drawings,” someone said to me recently.

And I laughed—because it all started in the quietest, most uncertain time of our lives. During the pandemic, when the world slowed down and the silence got louder, I found myself with something I hadn’t had in years: time.

Like many of us, I was overwhelmed, unsure, and stuck indoors. But I also had a saved

Pinterest board titled Someday. It was filled with beautiful, intricate mandalas. Designs that looked like meditation on paper. I’d always wanted to try them, but life, deadlines, and that good old “not now” attitude kept pushing it away. Until suddenly, there were no more excuses.

The first mandala I attempted took me days. I’d get lost in the symmetry, the lines, the quiet. By the time I finished it, I didn’t just feel proud—I felt something deeper: I always had it in me.

The patience.

The attention to detail.

The willingness to create something meaningful and beautiful.

That realization? It changed everything.

What began as one drawing turned into a habit. A practice. A form of self-respect. I wasn’t just killing time—I was discovering a side of myself that had waited patiently for years. I began experimenting: doodling, junk journaling, painting with watercolors, sketching leaves on my balcony. It became less about the end result and more about how I felt in the process.

Here are five creative rituals I swear by—each one has added something new and grounding to my life:

1. Zentangle Drawing

If you’ve never tried it, start today. It requires nothing fancy—just a pen, some paper, and a little quiet. It’s meditative, simple, and incredibly soothing.

2. Morning Pages

Three pages of whatever comes to mind. Stream-of-consciousness, unfiltered. It’s like a conversation with yourself before the world intrudes. It helps me start the day with intention and clarity.

3. Mind Map Diaries

I use these when I feel scattered. Whether it’s planning a project or untangling emotions, mind maps bring surprising clarity. Visual thinking for the win.

4. Freeform Dance

No rules, no rhythm to follow—just your body moving the way it wants. It’s liberating, energizing, and wildly therapeutic. Trust me, you’ll feel alive.

5. Clay Play

This one’s pure joy. Something about shaping clay with your hands brings you back to the

present moment like nothing else. Plus, it’s messy in the best way.

Each of these habits has helped me reconnect—with myself, with the moment, and with my own sense of wonder. Creativity isn’t about being an artist. It’s about noticing beauty,

staying curious, and giving yourself permission to just play.

Have you tried any of these? Or is there a quiet little “someday” saved on your board too?