Learning to See with Fresh Eyes (Art Activity!)
“We don’t see things as they are.
We see things as we are.”
—Anais Nin
How you interpret the world is not always necessarily the actual truth.
Rather, our perception of reality is filtered through our own personal experiences, biases, and beliefs.
Think back to your worldview when you were 5 years old, 15 years old, 25,…40…the lens through which you interpreted your experiences likely changed due to the changes in your experiences and beliefs.
Mindfulness offers a space between what is happening and the story we add onto it. It helps by bringing the subconscious patterns into conscious awareness so that we have the opportunity to change a habitual way of thinking or a behavior if we desire to.
Practicing present moment awareness gives you conscious access to what is actually happening in your mind and body.
This kind of internal awareness is empowerment. It lessens our tendency to attach stories and empowers us with the choice to consider different perspectives, and as a result, a choice in how we respond.
One of my favorite ways to offer practicing looking at something from a different perspective is through visual art.
For this creative practice, you don’t need any fancy art supplies. You simply need:
Something to draw with (e.g. pencil, pen, crayon, marker)
Something to draw on (e.g. paper)
An object (e.g. mug, candle)
If you’re auditory, you can listen to the guided exercise below.
If you’re visual, you can download the accompanying exercise handout “Looking with Fresh Eyes”
I’d recommend using both resources!
Subscribe to “A Mindful Invitation” on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.