A coffee, a pencil and the art of letting go
Are you like me? When things feel overwhelming, stressful, or the world outside feels too much—do you retreat? Back to your safe little place? To your family, your home, your loving animals, or the quiet of nature?
I do. For sure.
I turn off the news and let something else take its place inside me. I make a coffee and put on my weirdly specific playlist—old-school easy listening by the Italian composer Piero Piccioni from the ‘60s, mixed with comfy Animal Crossing soundtracks. (Have you played that? It's so cozy!) It’s like I’m time traveling to a vintage, dreamy, comforting space.
And the best part? This kind of travel is free. And instant. Boom!
I also recharge by taking long walks with my dog, Bristol, in the woods around us. Never mind the weather. We walk. Bristol sniffs around, and I let myself really see the trees, spotting a tiny talgoxe (a little Swedish bird) hopping nearby, breathing in the scents, listening to everything around me.
Sometimes when we get back home, I want to go out again. It’s like something’s pulling me back—just a little more.
Lately, I’ve also been exploring comfy ghost stories—a creative project co-written with my muse, AI (yes, ChatGPT!). It’s my own little escape from the weight of the world. Creativity, coziness, and a touch of magic—like stepping through a hidden doorway into a world shaped by my own imagination.
Maybe I’ll talk more about that ghost story project later.
But one thing has been part of my creative retreat for even longer.
Coloring.
I remember being 8 or 9 years old in school, and we had this doodling project.
Our teacher told us:
"Just doodle. Like when you’re on the phone or listening to music—let your hand move however it wants."
We experimented with all kinds of pencils and colors—not trying to make something good, just playing. Strange, messy, fun, random. It didn’t have to be anything. Especially not anything PERFECT.
How beautiful is that?
And I loved it.
That feeling—the freedom to create and make something without judging it—is exactly what I find in coloring today.
With coloring, there are no rules!
Pick any color.
Repeat the same one if you want.
Mess up? Doesn’t matter.
Just move the pen.
When I color, suddenly, I feel a bit more grounded again. The stress or worry of the world around me seems to melt away—just a little.
I’ve found a shortcut to slowing down. A way to pause life, let go of stress, and just exist in the moment.
Can you relate?
If you do, wave at me! 👋 (Okay, I won’t see it, but I’ll feel it!)
And if you want to borrow some of my weird, nostalgic, cozy music playlists—the kind that might help transport you to your little safe place—just let me know.
Until next time, take care.
Christina
