“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day.”

I originally created this sketch during the year of the COVID shutdown. Yet it has been symbolic in my life for many years. I’ve since fine-tuned it and now use it as a weekly reminder.

It still amazes me how simply having paper and art supplies in front of me allows what I’m thinking and feeling to emerge onto the page. Art has a way of revealing what words often cannot.

When the Mind Won’t Rest

Every night, when I closed my eyes to go to sleep, two memories I desperately did not want to revisit would replay in my mind.

I would lie awake, night after night, fighting them.
Battling thoughts that refused to loosen their grip.
Sleep felt impossible.

An Effective Visualization Technique

My psychologist suggested I try a visualization practice. He shared these steps with me:

1. Name and create a vision of a place you love to be.
A view that brings you peace.

2. Fully imagine the experience.
How does this place look, smell, feel, and sound?

For me, it was a wildflower field—warm sunshine on my face, gentle movement in the air, color everywhere.

3. Take control of intrusive thoughts.
Each time the unwanted thoughts or memories crept in, I was to quietly say—either in my mind or out loud:

“NO. I am not thinking about that. I am in control.”

Then I was to shift my attention back to my peaceful place.

I’ll be honest—I thought this idea was a little crazy and doubted it would work.

4. Practice with patience.
He reminded me that retraining the mind takes time.
“Don’t give up,” he said.
“It’s okay to do it over and over until the thoughts learn they are not welcome.”

And So I Tried

Night after night, I practiced.

At the usual 2:00 a.m., when the terrible thoughts tried to take over, I took a deep breath. I firmly thought, “NO.”

Then I intentionally created my vision:

A wildflower field swaying in a warm breeze.
Sunlight resting gently on my eyelids as I lifted my face toward the sky.
The soft, sweet scent of flowers in the air.

I repeated this again and again.
Week after week.

Eventually, it became automatic.

I began sleeping through the night.
The painful memories lost their power.
They were replaced with peace.

I was deeply grateful.

A Gentle Disclaimer

I am not a trained clinical therapist. There is immense value in finding a skilled and supportive therapist, and I wholeheartedly encourage that path.

My degrees are in education, and my master’s degree is in facilitation. I have also been calming my own stress and anxiety—and finding peace and clarity through art—for over 45 years.

Why I Share This

My mission is to share how I use art as a tool for healing, so others may discover healthy outlets for lowering stress and anxiety in their own lives.

I create workshops centered on unique creative processes designed to calm the soul and inspire clarity of purpose.