The Dolce Vita Lifestyle

Research shows we may not know ourselves as much as we think we do.  As we go through our busy lives, we tend to sacrifice important self-reflection time at the altar of getting a bunch of things done on autopilot.  If this is you, you are not alone. Yet taking just a short daily pause to get quiet and look inward can payoff big in terms of our overall wellbeing. Self-reflection can help us get a clearer picture of our authentic self.  And one way to express our thoughts and experiences is through annotated drawings.  Visual art is universal because images go well beyond what words alone can express. Keeping a daily annotated sketchbook journal–a combination of drawings and words—can help us to clarify our goals, sort out mental chaos, and find deeper meaning in everyday experiences. It can reduce stress, validate our priorities, and there is even some evidence of physical health benefits as well.

       The great Renaissance polymath, Leonardo da Vinci knew this to be true. To satisfy his insatiable curiosity and unending desire to learn, he would sketch anything he observed or envisioned. No subject was too big or small—he drew it all. Pouring out the contents of his thoughts onto paper –from sketches to written “to do” lists” led Leonardo to a better understanding of everything from the human form to the technical aspects of how machines work. He drew faces, animals, buildings, the shadowing in draped cloths, new inventions and even self-portraits.  His notebooks spanned themes of art, science, mechanics and philosophical musings across over 7,000 pages. He sketchbooks illustrate reflections on how water flows, how birds fly, why solitude promotes creativity, and his view on the healthiest way to eat.  Documenting the details of the interaction between his personal inner and outer world helped this self-taught learner to develop and refine what we acknowledge was his unparalleled genius. 

      What possibilities might you unlock if you started your own annotated sketchbook journal?  If every day you drew images of your goals, dreams and interactive experiences with the world around you?  You don’t have to be an artist. Very few of us have the ability of Leonardo da Vinci. I know I certainly don’t! All you need is a dose of his curiosity, and the willingness to take the journey of self-exploration. You will gradually find yourself looking forward to your sketching time as you become absorbed in the flow of playing around with different shapes, pencil strokes, letterings and drawing materials.  Such power of a simple notebook and pencil to unleash creative freedom, attentive mindfulness, and overall well-being! Draw anything and everything you see or feel.   Draw multiple self-portraits (as Leonardo did), experimenting with different facial expressions that reflect your current mood. Draw a place you love, a scene from your last vacation, what you ate for lunch, a family heirloom that unlocks memories for you, a colorful autumn tree that made you smile, or an abstract representation of a problem you are trying to solve. Add a word or thought that emerges spontaneously from the heart.

Documenting our daily life visually bears witness to its importance, and how our experiences shape who we are.   Why not grab a pencil or roller pen, and an inexpensive sketchbook and begin your own self-discovery journey? I’d love to hear about your progress!  

©Raeleen Mautner 2024

Raeleen D’Agostino Mautner, Ph.D. is the author of 45 Ways to Live Like an Italian: Italian-Inspired Self-Care Traditions for Everyday Happiness (Sourcebooks). RaeleenMautner.com