top of page
be logo w text black.png

Art and Photography as a Mindfulness Practice

Writer's picture: Austin CoyerAustin Coyer

Updated: Jan 23

Growing up, I often felt like I was at the mercy of my own mind. Anxiety was a constant, debilitating force that made even simple moments feel overwhelming. It wasn’t something I could escape from—it was always there, a weight I carried without knowing how to set it down.


In college, I discovered something that would change my life: mindfulness. It started with meditation, a practice I approached with skepticism at first. Sitting still and focusing on my breath seemed like such a small act in the face of the overwhelming thoughts that dominated my life. But over time, it became clear that mindfulness wasn’t about escaping my anxiety. It was about meeting it head-on with a different perspective.


As I delved deeper into mindfulness, I began to notice its transformative power outside of meditation. One day, I picked up a camera for a photography class and found myself seeing the world in a completely new way. For the first time, I wasn’t just looking at things; I was seeing them—the textures, the light, the colors, and the emotions woven into every moment. Photography became an extension of my mindfulness practice, a way to anchor myself in the present moment while expressing the things I couldn’t put into words.


Art, in all its forms, offers a powerful opportunity to practice mindfulness. Whether you’re holding a paintbrush, a camera, or just your thoughts, art invites you to slow down and observe without judgment. When you’re focused on creating—on capturing the curve of a tree branch or the glint of sunlight off a windowpane—there’s no room for the endless spiral of “what ifs” that anxiety feeds on. Instead, there’s just the moment, the act of creating, and the connection to something deeper than yourself.


For me, photography has become the most direct and useful tool to confront the things that weigh on me. Through the lens, I’ve learned to embrace life’s imperfections rather than fight them. A missed focus or a stray shadow doesn’t ruin a photo—it adds to its story. Similarly, the flaws and challenges in life don’t define us; they shape the beauty of our personal journey.


What’s incredible about art as a mindfulness practice is how it creates a new way of looking at the world. It teaches you to see beauty in the mundane, to appreciate the moments you’d usually overlook. A rainy day becomes an opportunity to capture the delicate patterns of water on glass. A walk through your neighborhood becomes an exploration of light and shadow. Every moment holds the potential to inspire if you’re willing to pause and truly see it.


Mindfulness isn’t about erasing anxiety or pain; it’s about being present with it, understanding it, and learning to move through it with grace. Art and photography have given me a way to practice this in real time, to take what feels heavy and transform it into something meaningful. It’s not always easy, and I’m far from perfect at it. But it’s the only tool I’ve found that truly allows me to confront what weighs on me and find peace in the process.


I share this not just to tell my story, but to invite you to explore art and photography as mindfulness practices in your own life. You don’t need to be an expert or create something “perfect.” You just need to show up, pay attention, and let the process guide you. Whether you’re sketching, painting, or snapping photos, the act of creating has the power to ground you in the present and remind you of the beauty all around us—even in the midst of chaos.


Anxiety might always be a part of my life, but through mindfulness and art, I’ve learned to meet it with compassion instead of fear. And in that meeting, I’ve found something extraordinary: a way to transform the weight I carry into something that connects me more deeply with the world and with myself.

11 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


  • Bluesky_Logo blk
  • Instagram
bottom of page