Draw Yourself Peaceful 🖌️

A creative way to gently meet your emotions, from my heart to yours

I remember one Friday morning (my day off)—peppermint tea in hand, the house finally quiet, my heart racing for no reason I could explain. The familiar hum of anxiety was back, even though life on the outside seemed calm. I didn’t want to journal. I didn’t want to talk. So, I pulled out piece of paper and some soft crayons from my daughter’s drawer.

No plan. Just a soft swirl of colour.

At first, I scribbled. Harsh, jagged lines. Shadows in grey and red. A tight knot in my chest started to loosen. Then, slowly, something shifted. My lines became waves. Soft hills. A pale yellow sun appeared, almost by accident. I started smudging lines with my fingers.

That day, I didn’t draw to be understood. I drew to release. And in that quiet act, I found something unexpected: peace.

Why I Use Creativity in Counselling

As a counsellor, I often sit with people who are carrying things they’ve never spoken out loud. Words can be hard to find—especially when you’ve been silenced, hurt, or stuck in survival mode for so long. That’s why I use creative tools in my practice, not to fix anything, but to help clients express what their body, soul, or inner child already knows.

You don’t need to be an artist. In fact, the less you try to “make it pretty,” the more powerful the process becomes.

Whether it’s through drawing, movement, meditation, or poetry, creative counselling helps you connect with yourself in ways that feel gentle, natural, and deeply human.

My Favourite Exercise: Draw Yourself Peaceful

This is one of my most loved, personal practices—and I invite clients of all ages to try it. It’s simple. It’s raw. And it always tells the truth.

Here’s how it goes:

1. Start with Grounding

Sit quietly for a moment. You might place your hand on your heart or take a few breaths with your eyes closed. Ask yourself, “What’s inside me right now?”

2. Draw the Storm

Let it out. Scribble, swirl, mark it up. Use colours that reflect how you feel—no filter, no judgment. It might be messy. It might surprise you. That’s okay. Let the storm have space.

3. Then, Draw Yourself Peaceful

Now imagine a version of you that feels safe, free, steady. What colours come to mind? What shapes, textures, or symbols? Don’t overthink it. Let your hand move with curiosity.

Sometimes I draw myself as a tree with deep roots. Other times, as a small boat floating gently under a moon. It changes—but it always leads me home. Sometimes as my Ember, happy and loved by everyone pup.

4. Reflect (if you feel ready)

Look at what you’ve created. Notice the shift between the two drawings. Where does your breath land now? You might want to write a few words, or you might not. There’s no “should.” Only what feels.

The Science Behind the Soul Work

This might feel intuitive (and it is), but it’s also backed by science. Creative expression—especially non-verbal—is proven to help regulate the nervous system, process trauma, and release stored emotion (Malchiodi, 2013; Cozolino, 2017). Drawing engages both the emotional and logical parts of the brain, which helps us integrate what we feel with what we know.

But most importantly? It gives you a voice—without needing perfect words.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure where to begin, try drawing. You can do it curled up in bed, at your kitchen table, or in your counsellor’s room. All you need is a piece of paper, something to draw with, and a moment of honesty.

I’ve used this practice during some of the most difficult seasons of my life—grief, burnout, heartbreak, and even healing from workplace trauma. And every time, it reminds me that there’s always a peaceful place within, waiting to be seen.

At Soul Healing Counselling, I integrate creative methods into our sessions—drawing, visualisation, body-based techniques, and gentle, playful tools that help clients feel safe and empowered. If that sounds like something your soul is craving, I’d love to meet you there.

You don’t need to explain everything.

You just need to begin.

🖌️ With warmth and colour,

Alicja Raffray