A Simple Mindful Art Practice to Ground You This Summer

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a simple yet soothing activity I recently tried that really helped me feel present: shadow drawing with plants. 🌱 It’s a slow, mindful way to connect with nature and creativity, no artistic skill required, just curiosity and a bit of light!

Here’s how it works:
Find a leaf, flower, or even a small branch — anything that draws your attention. Place it where sunlight (or even a bright lamp) can cast a clear shadow on paper, then simply trace the shape of the shadow. That’s it! The shadow becomes your guide.

You don’t need access to a garden or outdoor space, a potted plant or even everyday objects work just as well. You can do this on a windowsill or under a lamp or flashlight indoors. I used a dried leaf and drew beside it with pencil, but you can use pen, pastels, markers, watercolour, or whatever you like. 

What I loved most was how grounding it felt. Because of the bright light, I couldn’t see what I was doing — I had to let go and just feel the movement of the pencil and follow the shade. It reminded me to let the process matter more than the result.

✨ I’d really love to know — What other mindful and creative activities do you enjoy? I’d love to explore more gentle, grounding ideas like this.

Thanks for reading, and if you give shadow drawing a try, I’d love to hear how it felt for you. 🌞🍃

— Mya

#MindfulCreativity #Grounding #SummerMindfulness