How I've learned to draw even in art block, burnout and stress, with this sketchbook habit

[@SunArts918]

I got a lot of bad and awful things happen to me the past 2 years, lost, grief, burn out, depression, anxiety, and it is when I started back my art journey that I trully felt like I was living again, yes I had professional help and therapy, but I totally toss my art aside and it felt so good to have it back ! Thanks for sharing your experience !

[@kittuffincafe]

I am sorry for those awful things, grief really really sucks, and it seems just our luck sometimes when things come all at once, but I am so glad you've been feeling better and were able to get therapy and help!! And start your art again, heck yeah!! Thank YOU for sharing as well, it is so important! I just had a counseling session Tuesday and i was really happy sharing about this whole process and feeling more myself compared to how I felt before recording the video :) thank you for stopping by!!

[@akaMonkeyBusiness]

Keep making art - it heals.

[@meadowbrookow]

Thank you so much for sharing your life and thoughts - as someone who also has a chronic illness, has family members who are struggling in their own lives, and depends deeply on my creative outlets for emotional relief and therapy, I feel for you. I don’t know you at all and yet I feel proud of you and your approach to the recent difficulties you faced - thank you again for sharing. I will be watching this video again when I feel I need someone to relate to and to uplift me! 🌻🌻

[@kittuffincafe]

I am so so happy that this could reach someone else like me, of course we chronically ill folk never want anyone else to be going through it, but that can't be helped. I am sorry you and your family are also going through difficult times right now, I hope in whatever it may be that peace and progress come soon. Thank you for your support and just sending that my way, this made me smile so very much, I am sending all the smiles and good feelings right back to you! Love the sunflowers! ❤️🌻🌻💐 keep creating friend and keep shining your light despite!

[@Strawberry_Pez]

We have experienced lots of loss in our family over the past year, and for the past month depressions has hit me like a Mack truck so I have zero motivation and struggle to find joy in anything. Your voice and kindness to yourself has been so soothing to me. Thank you so, so much for openly sharing your own struggles. Wishing you and your family all the very best for positive outcomes to your collective challenges. ☮ ❤ 🎨

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you for commenting and sharing here, it's really hard when everything just piles up, and feeling like it just won't end just really sucks. I'm sorry for the loss you and your family have been going through, I hope some more peaceful times are on their way soon, Thank you as well for your support and sending us positivity, it means a lot, and I am really glad and thankful the video could help in any way ❤️ I hope you can have some joy today and many more

[@sagemckim793]

The kitties are so soft and lovely! This inspired me to draw today. I’ve been wanting to reframe how I think about creating art, it should be something that helps me not stress me out, this video helped.

[@kittuffincafe]

Oh good! I am glad this could help, I agree art should be fun and support us! Thank you so much for your kind words and support!! ❤️

[@JaneHill-kp7uq]

​@@kittuffincafe1😢😢😊:18 1:19

[@isabelpollock1941]

You’re my new favorite channel- your art looks as sweet as your voice is. I hope I can make art as cute as yours this easily one day. You’re doing great and I’m proud of you for getting through the rough stuff with art!

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so so much!! It was so awesome to read your comment, I am honored and thankful for your support!! Hearing that my channel is someone's favorite just blew my mind thank you ❤️

[@So_salty]

I’m only two minutes in and for some reason the realness of this video almost had me in tears. Probably shark week- I hear the jaws music playing. Anyway thank you for being so real. What a breath of fresh air. ❤ Jesus loves you. (All of you)

[@kittuffincafe]

Aw I am so glad you could resonate and hopefully they were good tears! Just punch the shark in the nose 🤣 Rest and take care of yourself! ☺️🩷

[@lisa_wistfulone7957]

I biff my goals all the time, unfortunately!😅 Even day to day life-ing is rough, let alone when extra stressors happen. Thanks for sharing how your art helps you and how you focus on your creativity to self care! 💖✨

[@kittuffincafe]

Haha day to day is always a ride for me 🤣 I start with an idea of doing one thing but tend to do not that thing at all, cannot say how many crossed off planner entries I have 😅 thank you for always being here and supporting Lisa!! I am glad I can share 🥰

[@Spacemymy]

Thank you so much for making this, I’m sorry to hear what you’re dealing with but I’m glad that you’re making the best of it through art. I’ve been having a lot of trouble recently finding any creative motivation due to stress in my personal life so I’m going to try this. Also I just love your art style :)

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you for your support, I send it right back your way, life can just be a lot at times and I'm glad this video could hopefully help you feel a bit less alone or encouraged :) I send my good vibes for you and your art making! And aaa thank you so much!!

[@akaMonkeyBusiness]

@@kittuffincafe I like your channel it is soo cool. I think I must share my animation process on video - but am nervous to do so.

[@kittuffincafe]

@Dandyline214 Thank you! I am so glad you are enjoying it! Animation is such hard work, if you do end up sharing I'd definitely check them out! I've tried starting a channel 3 times, it has taken a while to find my groove. But if it's talking live during your work that is the hard part, maybe try a voice over? Sometimes I write out my thoughts as if I were speaking so it's easier to read them out for a voice over, feels so much more natural too. Here to root you on!

[@yamabudo3803]

I really like your art. Thanks for the wise & encouraging perspective, too.

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much! I am glad this could serve you and I hope you can enjoy your creativity and the experience it brings ☺️

[@bludaizee24]

I just found your channel today! I'm sorry things have been tough, but it's nice to hear your attitude about dealing with it. You're giving yourself space to process without just feeling sorry for yoursel, or giving up. That's easier said than done! It made me want to subscribe! Tomorrow I'll share with my art friends & hopefully they'll subscribe too! 💕💕💕

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much for the support! I am really glad this could be helpful or something positive!! I've been in the absolute lowest points before and having to pull nyself out of them was hard to say the least, and repetitive and took many years. There is still a place to feel and process, but my heart feels better trying to laugh or make peace despite what may happen or what has❤️ Thank you for sharing too aaa! I woke up to this and it made my day 🥰

[@kristinatimoshenkova5585]

i really like how u draw and how u talking! wish u best 💗 my last days was not good, i strested about my arts and u really chear me up! :3 ur arts are so cute and cozy!!

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much!! I am really happy that my art could cheer you up, I hope that it can help your stress is relieved! ❤️ Sending you best wishes too!

[@kittyfitty473]

"Thank you for sharing" is my new catchphrase when my brain starts acting up. Seriously, that's the most helpful piece of mental health advice I've heard in quite a while. I also looove your style, especially how fancy the pigeon is! My art doesn't intentionally reflect my feelings at the time, but I do turn to being creative during times of badness. Focusing on something like a drawing or a doodle or a painting quiets the endless chatter in my mind long enough that I can start to hear my own thoughts again.

[@kittuffincafe]

I am so glad I could share something helpful! Yay!! And thank you so much! I agree, even if it's not a direct reflection, art is helpful, really enjoy when I can get into the focus on a doodle or mixing colors and like you said, the endless chatter finally settles :) I usually don't even realize how long it's been when I am drawing once I get to that groove

[@InternetFad]

I love this video and the message it has. You've got a new subscriber :)

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much! I am glad you could take something away from this 😊

[@Graycish]

Thank you for sharing your experience is very inpiring, I used to paint wanting everything to be perfect, but is better to enjoy what you are doing and not add so much pressure into your drawing time.

[@kittuffincafe]

I am so glad this could be helpful and hopefully encourage more peace and relaxation to come back to your art practice :) Thank you so much!

[@jelenarrr]

Your drawings are so cute! ✨ It is so calming to watch this video. I am going through a phase in life where i am sick of my job, in fact i have never liked it but i was doing it because i had finished college for that and the salary is good, but i can't do it anymore.. It is making me anxious and depressed.. And now i don't know what else i can do besides this.. I was thinking of some creative job, sewing, creating stuff with clay etc. But i don't know where to start from..

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much!! I am glad this video could be calming, the phase you're in is one I have been navigating too, and for a long time. It is hard feeling overwhelmed by the options and the planning and just the HOW it will all happen right? I feel like it's been an every day effort to try and do one bit at a time on my end. Which I know I loathe hearing, or the idea of how long things may take being daunting. Especially when we are at that point of just needing out of the job we are in or situation because we can't imagine more. But we never know when things may finally all click with our efforts right? When we find what works for us and feels good and sustainable, I really hope you are able to take the time to explore and find what helps and I hope the job situation in the mean time can be as good as it can be too. I am not sure if you know this channel, but Uncomfy has some videos I've found really helpful on getting started, they focus on clay but their advice I feel can definitely be applied to other creative arts too. Sending all the positive vibes and support your way!!

[@akaMonkeyBusiness]

So cool. I love your art.

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@shellysanders8983]

I love that little drawing with the cats and the goose. That was a LOT of stuff to go through in such a short amount of time! I hope things get better for you.

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much! I am glad you enjoy them 😊 And yes it was really overwhelming all at once, definitely doing better and chugging along as best I can now, day by day. Thank you for your kindness and support 🙂

[@tabbyzap3747]

You are so incredibly well-spoken and witty, my dude! I am sorry you’ve experienced such unfortunate circumstances but that you’ve found comfort and healing in making art. Sending you well wishes!

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much, my fellow dude!! I really appreciate that :) and thank you! Wishes received and good wishes sent your way too!! I am thankful I could share about the experience and how art helps!

[@krystal2202]

I think art is absolutely is helpful for feeling and helping through those feelings. I didn't know if i was going to live or die a few years back and it was the first time i ever started to draw since i was a kid. But honestly it really helped me with being scared and i really would go into another place when drawing. I think with the help of art and God i started feeling at ease. I'm still here obviously but art is so helpful. You will get over these things that are happening and you will find yourself and your family in a better place. The storm only lasts a little while. But we overcome it. Everything will be ok.😊❤

[@kittuffincafe]

I am so glad art and your faith have gotten you where you are in your life! I know when my art is missing I can feel emptier or so out of touch with myself, same with my beliefs too. I am thankful for getting to read a bit of your story here and for you speaking up too! We never know how many other people have been in places like we are and it is so encouraging to hear they are doing better, thank you for your support so much! ❤️❤️

[@NeptunesHorses5909]

I'm older, but have cats, and have been on a layoffs, pandemic, grad school adventure since 2018. I have not had the opportunity to put together a good workspace in the middle of a stalled renovation, so I am trying to get a sketchbook going and prep model horses. You have company.

[@kittuffincafe]

That definitely sounds like a lot, one thing after another as they tend to be. Being stuck in the middle of renovations and being unable to settle a space really throws a wrench in, I hope that can be sorted soon, and I also hope grad school has been going well! I hope sketchbooking and prepping for your models can start up and bring some normalcy and satisfaction, thank you for being here and sharing your support! (Edit for typo)

[@lumeiaart]

I'm sorry to hear you're going through all this... This was a very relaxing video and I absolutely love your art, I can't explain it but it feels so warm and welcoming! Take care ❤

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you so much for your kind support, it really means a lot. I hope sharing sometimes about harder things can help people feel less alone ❤️ And I am so so happy I could make something relaxing that added to your day! Thank you!! I really love warmth and joy in art and I am glad that shone through, thank you 🥰 you take care as well!

[@lumeiaart]

@@kittuffincafe You are a kind soul and I thought you deserved some love ❤️ I definitely think you're helping a lot of people out there and I'll be following your artistic journey for sure!! Thank you for being you 🥰

[@anapaulaotero-illustration875]

Beautiful art❤

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you very much! 🥰

[@littlekitsune1]

I suffer from anxiety, chronic depression, and fibromyalgia pain. Most days it's too painful to even sit hunched over the sketchbook to draw, and the other days my mood feels so low I can start crying if my art isn't how I wanted it. It just feels so hopeless to keep up with art lately and I can tell I'm getting rusty. It's very discouraging. It doesn't help that I'm a perfectionist. X_X

[@kittuffincafe]

From one person in constant pain to another, and trying to get day by day through a depression low currently, I am sorry. It really sucks to be and feel stuck in that cycle. We hear that it "gets better" and it is so hard to believe when we know with our specific chronic illnesses, they probably won't ever get better. So to a degree, things will always be difficult for us. All of that on top of perfectionism and trying to find satisfaction or meaning in creating something when you dont't have the energy is so hard. I would much prefer to validate you than just say it gets better because it is just so up and down in my experience you know? I think the only thing that has helped me still enjoy art or see a point when I am in my worst mental and physical states is fighting the perfectionism or trying to create for different reasons in that moment. It is hard to remove expectation, and it can feel like we are tricking ourselves into enjoying a technicaclly poor drawing, or that we are bad artists, but it IS still making something right? And if somehow we can find any enjoyment in making something for a moment, before the doubts or sadness kick back in, I think that is still really huge. Some days I love my art and imagine bright futures with it, and some days I feel like nothing matters and what's the point if I hurt all the time, how can I keep going when I'm in pain or more pain from doing art, why try? It is those moments of enjoyment that matter for me, the release i feel when I do make something, and realizing that when I go too long without making something, how I feel even emptier, and I just have to. I really hope I didn't go on too long, or make you feel any worse. I feel for you and really hope you can have some peace ahead, in life and in your creativity, truly

[@littlekitsune1]

@@kittuffincafe You didn't go on too long at all, it means a lot that you wanted to make such a heartfelt response to me. I think it is important to remember that no matter what, I am creating, like you said. And the relief I feel when I do make something I'm proud of is extremely fulfilling. It's just the frustration of spending so long on something and then feeling it wasn't worth it that I really struggle with. Which is half mood, half lack of practice brought on by said mood. So yeah, there's no simple answer to it. That being said, I really appreciate you reading and responding to my little vent with an honest approach. It does help me remember what I like about art regardless of the struggles. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling as well. I wish you all the best.

[@LittleFlame93]

that cat needs to be a sticker😭🌷

[@kittuffincafe]

👀👀 i shall put this on my list!! Thank you! I was thinkin' he could make a cute one too! I hope to get to work on all that soon 😊

[@mymindness]

“Thank you for sharing”- I love that and am absolutely going to use it in response to my negative inner voice next time. Something about it just tickles me. 😅 I’m new to your channel but really appreciated this video. I always feel better after an art session, but sometimes it’s hard to overcome the low feelings in order to start. I’m sorry to hear you and your family are going through some tough times. Sending positive vibes, commiseration, and understanding from a total internet stranger!

[@kittuffincafe]

Thank you for your support and commiseration internet stranger!! Positive vibes received! I send you the vibes as well and the hopes. Thank you for sharing with me, I feel like the starting can be the hardest part, sometimes I convince myself I won't feel that much better after drawing and go in with even lower expectations--if i even start at all at those times--but the feeljng of , "wow I actually really needed that!" Is such a good one! I am really glad I could share something to try! I hope it helps and tickles you then too! 🤣😊 THANK YOU for being new here and checking the Kittuffin Cafe out! Woo!