When you walk through the gate at Little Creek Horse Farm, you almost forget you’re in the city. If it weren’t the occasional car zooming down Lawrenceville Highway, I’d think I had slipped away to rural Georgia.
The horses are usually socializing, snacking on grass, or doing important horse things, so they barely notice me drawing them.
Their level of deep focus must be contagious, because I slipped into a sublime state of concentration the minute my pencil touched paper.
Even though I was rusty at first, slowing down to draw horses gave me a rush of serotonin.
That first visit to Little Creek inspired me to make more time to try to slip into deep focus mode. It's always accessible, but takes more practice nowadays than ever.
Here are some ways I practice focusing
Screen time awareness - I check stats every Wednesday, so I know when to put my phone away and close my laptop.
Yoga - A daily 30-minute flow helps me slow down, stay present, and calm my cluttered brain.
Look out the window - This gives me a much-needed break from screens, and sometimes, a squirrel says hello.
Dog walking without headphones - An hour to be bored with my pups. Good ideas rain down upon me during these walks.
The quiet moments alone with our own ideas and sketchbooks is as important as putting marks on paper. I hope this post inspires you to seek out a peaceful moment or two this weekend.
We’re drawing the horses of Little Creek Horse Farm with the one-and-only Holly Surplice next week and I can’t wait!
