Unlock Your Calm: 5 Unexpected Creative Tricks Shift You Into Relax Mode
Simple Techniques to Ignite Your Imagination in 5 Minutes
Ever feel like your brain is running a marathon, but your body just wants to take a nap? Yeah, same. Between managing work, creating art, and writing stories about mischievous trolls, my mind can get cluttered fast. But I’ve found that a quick creative break—just five minutes—can reset everything.
Creativity isn’t just for making beautiful things; it’s a tool to reboot your nervous system. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I turn to these simple art hacks to shift my focus, calm my mind, and tap back into my imagination. They work like magic, and the best part? No perfection required.
1. Blind Contour Drawing
One of my favorites. I grab a pen, stare at an object (or my coffee mug), and draw it without looking at the paper. It’s ridiculous, awkward, and fun—kind of like how I imagine a Troalkind troll would sketch if they tried to mimic human art. The trick? It forces you to be present, embrace imperfections, and let go of control.
2. Color Blob Doodles
This one always reminds me of Rune, the baby troll in my stories, who sees shapes and creatures in everything. Just scribble some random color blobs on a page, then turn them into creatures, landscapes, or strange little beings. It’s a great way to wake up your imagination without overthinking.
3. One-Line Zen Sketching
Pick up a pen and draw something without lifting it from the page. A tree, a face, a swirling mess—it doesn’t matter. The continuous motion is meditative, almost like tracing the patterns of old Troalkind symbols in ancient stone.
4. Mood Swatch Painting
Some days, I don’t have words for how I feel. So instead, I grab a few colors and paint rough swatches. Then, I doodle or write over them—maybe a stormy blue with tiny lightning bolts if I’m stressed, or warm gold with glowing runes when I need inspiration. It’s like alchemy for your emotions.
5. Micro Story Sketch
This one’s my go-to when I feel creatively stuck. I sketch a tiny scene—a troll peering into a glowing cave, a Venic fox leaping across a canyon—and write a one-sentence story to go with it. Just enough to spark an idea, no pressure to make it perfect. Sometimes, these little sketches turn into full stories later!
Your Turn!
Which one will you try today? Drop a comment, or if you share your creation, tag me—I’d love to see what your imagination comes up with!