Relaxing branches and blooms exercise

Embrace Relaxation and Creativity with the Branches and Blooms Exercise.

As moms, we often find ourselves constantly juggling responsibilities and putting others’ needs before our own. The demands of everyday life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and drained. That’s why it’s crucial to carve out moments of self-care and embrace the therapeutic power of creativity.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into an exercise called “Relaxing Branches and Blooms,” which combines the calming beauty of nature with the joy of artistic expression. Join me on this creative journey as we explore the instructions and benefits of this exercise.

Engaging in the branches and blooms exercise offers a multitude of benefits for your well-being. As you immerse yourself in this creative practice, you’ll discover a serene escape from the demands of daily life. The gentle strokes of drawing and coloring the branches, flowers, and leaves become a meditative experience, guiding you into a state of mindfulness and presence.

In this moment, you let go of perfectionism, embracing the organic nature of the exercise and recognizing that beauty lies in imperfections. The act of creating a visual representation of nature’s elements not only stimulates your creativity but also deepens your connection with the natural world. It serves as a gentle reminder of the beauty that surrounds us and the importance of nurturing our relationship with nature. Through the branches and blooms exercise, you’ll find stress relief, cultivate mindfulness, overcome perfectionism, and foster a meaningful connection with the world around you.

So grab a pen and paper and enjoy some well-deserved creative me-time with this exercise!

Have fun with this relaxing branches and blooms exercise! Please let me know if you’ve tried this one; I would love to see it.

You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown

Supplies used:

Bristol paper (Winsor & Newton), alcohol markers (ohuhu), fineliner 0,3 and 0,1 (Ohuhu).

Alternative supply suggestions:

You can use any material for this exercise, such as colored pencils, crayons, or a pencil. 

Instructions:

Step 1

Before you start, slowly breathe in and out a few times to clear your head and ground yourself. 

Begin by filling your sheet with branches made from semi-circles that touch each other on the outside. These gentle curves mimic the graceful branches of trees and serve as the foundation for our artwork. Don’t worry about perfection; embrace the organic nature of the process and let your creativity guide you.

Step 2

Next, adorn the ends of the semi-circles with small, simple flowers. These delicate blooms symbolize growth, beauty, and the essence of nature. Allow yourself to explore different flower shapes and sizes, embracing the freedom to create without judgment. The act of drawing these flowers becomes a mindful practice, bringing you into the present moment and allowing stress to melt away.

Step 3

Now it’s time to breathe life into your artwork by filling up the page with leaves and additional flowers. Let your imagination run wild as you envision a vibrant garden blooming before your eyes. Play with different leaf shapes and textures, adding variety and depth to your composition. With each stroke of color, feel a sense of rejuvenation and connection with nature.

The leaves and flowers don’t need to be complex; even basic flower and leaf shapes can brighten up your piece.

Step 4

Enhance your creation by adding color to the leaves and flowers. Choose hues that resonate with you, whether it’s calming greens, vibrant yellows, or soothing blues. The act of coloring not only allows for self-expression but also evokes emotions and uplifts your spirit. Let the colors you choose reflect your inner world and bring an added dimension of joy to your artwork.