Learn how a balloon pattern drawing can reduce stress and boost your mood. A simple, fun exercise perfect for busy moms needing a break.
We’ve all been there—days when the mental load feels never-ending, the to-do list keeps growing, and the idea of taking a break seems impossible. But here’s the thing: carving out just a little time for yourself can work wonders for your stress levels. That’s where today’s simple, creative exercise comes in—a balloon pattern drawing.
It’s an easy and fun way to tap into your creativity, slow your mind down, and bring some calm into your day. Even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, this exercise is perfect for you. There’s no pressure, no need for fancy tools or skills—just you, a little bit of time, and some simple materials.
Why This Exercise Is Good for Your Mental Health
As simple as it seems, this exercise has huge benefits for your mental well-being. Let’s break it down:
1. Encourages Mindfulness
When you’re focusing on creating a balloon shape or filling it with patterns, your mind naturally slows down. This is a chance to press pause on your busy day and engage in something calming. Creativity allows you to be in the moment—a perfect way to practice mindfulness without even realizing it.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Art can be incredibly therapeutic, especially when there’s no pressure to achieve a particular outcome. The repetitive nature of drawing patterns (like dots and lines) can be especially soothing, helping to reduce anxiety and create a sense of calm. It’s like giving your brain permission to relax, even if just for a few minutes.
3. It’s a Simple Way to Practice Letting Go
One of the biggest challenges moms face is the need to be perfect in everything—whether it’s parenting, managing the household, or balancing life’s demands. This exercise encourages you to let go of that perfectionism. It’s about playing, exploring, and accepting the imperfections that come with the process.
4. Encourages Personal Expression
There’s something incredibly freeing about taking a blank space and turning it into something that’s uniquely yours. Whether you’re creating patterns or adding meaningful words, this exercise gives you the opportunity to express yourself in a way that feels light and fun. It’s your personal escape from the mental load.
5. Provides a Sense of Accomplishment
When you complete a creative exercise like this, it gives you a small but satisfying sense of achievement. You’ve created something and that’s worth celebrating. It reminds you that even when life feels overwhelming, there’s always a little space for creativity.
Have fun with this simple balloon pattern exercise! Please let me know if you’ve tried it; I would love to see it.
You can find a small video of this exercise on my Instagram @thecreativecooldown
Supplies used:
Watercolor paper 300grs (Arches), watercolor sheets (Viviva), brush (da Vinci), fineliners (Ohuhu, Faber-Castell), cup of water, paper towel, washi tape.
Alternative supply suggestions:
See if you can borrow any paints from your kid(s). No paints? Try it with markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
Instructions for this pattern drawing exercise:
Step 1 – Prep your page
Start by applying horizontal strips of tape across your page, leaving small gaps in between.
You’ll be painting your balloon over these lines, so keep them evenly spaced or play with different widths for a fun effect.
Step 2 – Create your balloon shape
Now it’s time to paint! Slowly and mindfully, use your brush to create a rounded balloon shape over the tape. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—remember, this is about the process, not the outcome. Choose any color that feels good to you, and let the paint fill the space.
Tip: Try to go slow. Feel the way your brush moves across the paper and notice how the curves of the balloon take form. This is your moment to relax and focus on something simple.
Step 3 – Let it dry and remove the tape
Once you’re happy with your balloon, give it a few minutes to dry completely. Take this moment to breathe, reflect, or sip your coffee.
Once dry, gently peel off the tape. You’ll have a balloon with crisp white stripes cutting through it.
The next part is where your creativity really comes in!
Step 4 – Fill the white spaces
With your fine-tipped pen, begin filling the white spaces with simple patterns. Dots, lines, swirls, or even little doodles—whatever comes to mind. If you prefer, you can even add words. Why not turn this into a birthday card by writing a sweet message in one of the white spaces?
The goal here isn’t to create “perfect” patterns but to just let yourself flow. This is where you can play and explore without the pressure of getting it “right.”
How to Make the Most of This Exercise
- Set aside intentional time: You don’t need a lot—5 to 10 minutes is all it takes to do this exercise. And trust me, it’s worth it.
- Don’t aim for perfection: There’s no right or wrong way to do this. The goal is to enjoy the process and let your creativity flow.
- Involve the kids: If you’re feeling generous, let the kids join in! It’s a great way to bond, and they’ll love filling in their own balloons with funky patterns.
- Make it a habit: If you find that this exercise brings you joy and calm, why not make it a regular thing? Even once a week can be a great way to take care of yourself.
At the end of the day, this exercise isn’t just about making art—it’s about making space for yourself. The simple act of creating something, even as easy as a patterned balloon, can have a big impact on how you feel. It gives you a break from the constant demands of motherhood, helps you focus on the present moment, and reminds you that you deserve this time for yourself.
So next time you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, grab some tape, a pen, and a little paint. You might be surprised at how good it feels to just create.
Happy painting!
You might also like my negative painting exercise if you enjoyed this.