Drawing as Meditation: How Art Became My Daily Pause Button

Some of you might be thinking, “Oh no… here she goes again with the meditation talk.” And you know what? You’re right. I am going to talk about meditation again today.

Why? Because I truly believe that drawing can be a form of meditation. And I think that’s worth sharing — especially in a class like this, where we all spend time drawing :)

When Drawing Feels Like Meditation

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how drawing isn’t just about making something pretty. Sometimes, it’s a lot like meditating.

When we’re not fully focused on something, what usually happens? Our minds wander.

We start thinking about the next thing we have to do… what’s for dinner… why he said that to me?... or some random memory from 3 years ago.

In order to focus, we have to stop thinking about everything except what we’re doing right now. And that’s really hard. Meditation is basically the same — training ourselves to be fully present, to keep bringing our mind back to the "here and now".

So when you’re drawing and you really get into it — when the rest of the world disappears — you’re actually entering a kind of meditative state.

The Joy of Getting Lost in Art

You’ve probably experienced this too: you’re working on something, you fall into a rhythm, and suddenly you realize an hour has passed.

That deep focus feels amazing, right? It’s satisfying and energizing at the same time.

There have always been other things that I had fun — like concerts, trips to the beach, shopping — But the pure joy of creating something… that’s been with me since I was a kid. There’s a unique happiness in it. Especially when it’s something I choose to make, not an assignment or a commission.

Work projects are valuable in their own way. They push me into subjects I might never explore on my own and I always end up getting something new. But personal work feels different. There’s a deep, private joy when your hands, your eyes, and your imagination are all in sync. It’s like your brain is running at full speed while also being completely still.

Finding Mindfulness Outside of Meditation

People often talk about mindfulness — eating slowly, focusing on one thing at a time, avoiding multitasking... It’s great advice. But real life? Not always so mindful.

But let’s be honest — in real life, I don’t always do that. When I’m at home alone, I love eating while watching movies or YouTube. I talk to friends on the phone while cooking or folding laundry. Sometimes I use my commute to research for my next project on my phone.

Life can be busy, and not every day can be a slow, “mindful” day. Especially in a city like New York, if you lived like that 24/7, you’d probably never get anything done. It’s definitely not realistic to live like a Zen monk or a spiritual influencer every minute of the day.

But here’s what I do believe: if you can have at least one moment a day when you’re fully focused, that’s good enough to start. It adds up over time.

For me, that moment is often reading besides drawing. I’ve been on a book streak lately — I'm reading my third book that I got in Japan 2 month ago, and I realized that it’s ultimately mindfulness. You can’t half-pay-attention to a book the way you can with a TV show. You either read, or you don’t.

Of course, reading isn’t for everyone.

If you love eating, you could focus on enjoying a meal.

If you like writing, you could keep a diary, even if no one will ever see it.

If you love music, try listening to it with no distractions — no cleaning, no texting, just listening.

If you enjoy sports, dance, singing, cooking — those can all be mindful activities.

And, of course, drawing is one of the best.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Meditation

You might be wondering, “If drawing already feels like meditation, why bother with actual meditation?” For me, here are the reasons: 1. It could be 5 mins - 20 mins. You don't need to commit anything big and prepare anything to start. Zero cost. 2. It’s easy to be mindful while doing something you love. But it’s much harder to be mindful while doing nothing at all.

I’ve been meditating for several years now, and I’ll be honest — most days, my mind wanders.

But on the good days, something shifts: I feel calmer, I notice what’s been bothering me, or I suddenly understand something that’s been unclear.

For me, meditation has been a way to improve my focus in art, but also a way to face myself — both the positive and the negative parts. That means looking directly at uncomfortable feelings instead of avoiding them.

In my 20s - 30s, I always carried this vague, constant anxiety without really knowing why. Looking back, I think I didn’t want to know why. If I found the cause, I might get hurt — so I buried it under working hard, socializing, partying to stay busy. People saw me and said, “You’re so strong,” but really, I was just numbing myself.

A few years ago, I couldn’t avoid those feelings anymore. They had grown into something bigger, and when I was physically and mentally exhausted, they attacked me like a monster. That was when I decided to return to meditation with a new attitude.

It didn’t change me overnight — nothing does — but over time, I became calmer, more patient, and less wasteful with my energy. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like things move more smoothly now, even without pushing myself to the limit.

What's Your “One Thing”?

Meditation isn’t for everyone. So, I know some of you may never be interested in it, no matter how much I talk about it, and that’s totally fine.

But if you have even one moment in your day when you can focus so deeply that everything else disappears — whether it’s drawing, music, sports, cooking, or anything you love — in a way, you’re already meditating.

It doesn’t matter what it is. What matters is giving yourself permission to do it fully, without distraction. Because even a few minutes of complete presence can be surprisingly powerful.

If you’ve ever found yourself so deep in something that you forget to check your phone for hours,(or even for an hour) that’s your version of meditation. It doesn’t need aroma candles, cushions, or perfect posture. Just you, and your attention.

For me, the pen and paper are often my pause button. When I’m drawing on my desk, the world gets quiet, and I remember what it feels like to simply be here.

I hope drawing can be one of those positive, focused moments for you :)

Have a happy rest of the day!