“Oh hi, me!”

Hey

Sometimes, being told to draw something stresses me right out. I was on the 'Gifted and Talented' Art programme at school and still really carry this weight of needing to be good… So if I’m tasked with drawing, I can initially feel a bit paralysed - totally overthinking how to make it great.

... and that's where I catch the fixed mindset thought and remind myself: 'Hello, literally no-one cares how you draw this, just give it a go and remember it does not have to be perfect.'

Phew, thanks Growth Mindset Becca.

I know I’m not the only one. Some people walk around ‘knowing’ they’re ‘bad at art.’ For them, the same task makes them freeze, but for the opposite reason: ‘Ugh, everyone’s going to see my rubbish drawing skills!’

When I asked the mums in my workshop to draw a self-portrait on Saturday, I made it clear: it didn’t have to be lifelike. It could be a doodle, a bunch of mini-images, or just a swirl of colours - whatever felt right.

The point wasn’t the art. It was about stopping for a moment, practising a little self-compassion, and just giving ourselves a wave. ‘Oh hi, me!’

Let’s get noisy about this:

We’re absolute bosses at knowing who needs what snack and which bedtime story is the current favourite. But when it comes to our own needs? It’s sooooo much harder. 

That’s why the self-portrait exercise was THE ONE. It wasn’t about being ‘good’ at art - it was about pressing pause and actually noticing ourselves. Even if it was just a stick figure, that tiny act of putting ourselves in the picture was a radical little rebellion.

So this week, try putting yourself back in the frame - even for a moment. Claim a little space. Notice what you need, what you want, or just how you feel. Give yourself that quiet airtime and see what comes up.

Step-By-Step: Drawing People

Fiona Watt (Author), Candice Whatmore (Illustrator)

(Usborne)

C’mon my friends, let’s Growth Mindset this! 

Give me one way we get better at things….

Ok, I’ll go first - we practise!

Practise drawing people. And do it alongside your kid. Everyone can get better, whatever their age. This book will take you through, step-by-step, and help you practise. 

You can do this.

Try this at home:

• Draw a quick self-portrait, or a bunch of mini-images that feel like ‘you’ right now. Stick figures, doodles, or even just colours - anything goes!

• Stick your drawing up somewhere and when you bump into them, ask them how they are doing. 

• Invite your child to join in

Sometimes it’s easier to tune into ourselves with a slight bit of distance. Just takes the pressure off, doesn’t it?

I’d love to see your self-portraits (in any form) or hear what you’re claiming for yourself this week. Hit reply and share - let’s make putting ourselves in the picture a new habit.

You’re doing better than you think,

Becca

One of the mums on Saturday's workshop was Emma. She wrote a substack article about it afterwards. I'm sharing it here a. because I loved hearing how things resonated for her and b. because I love the way she writes and I think you might too!