Today feels like one of those perfect afternoons when the light just isn’t quite right for photography but is perfect for drawing. I’ve got my notebook and pencils spread out on the floor—my mom gave me some really nice wooden ones last week, and they have these small ridges that give each mark its own texture.

I’ve been spending a lot of time with these mandalas lately. They started as a simple idea to fill up space, but now I can’t get enough. Each one is like a puzzle, where every line must connect perfectly to the next. It’s satisfying, almost meditative. The circular symmetry feels comforting, like a hug from my favorite teddy bear.

I’ve tried different techniques today: some bold lines with my new pencil and others using various shades of gray with my mechanical one. I’m experimenting with patterns—some are symmetrical, but then there are these quirky ones that break the rules just for fun. The whole process is so soothing; it’s like my hands and mind are having a conversation.

There’s something about mandalas that makes me feel like I can express all these things I don’t always have words for—like this sense of peace, or the joy in simple moments. Maybe it’s because they’re not just pretty to look at but also carry some kind of hidden meaning, even if you don’t know what it is.

I find myself comparing my work sometimes, wondering which one is better, more perfect, but then I remember why I started. It’s not about being the best or drawing the most beautiful picture; it’s about expressing yourself in a way that feels authentic and true.

As I finish up this one today, I feel like there are so many more to explore. Maybe I’ll try incorporating some of the patterns from my favorite video games into them—like the rings in Super Mario World or maybe even a few characters from my current obsession with the latest anime series I’ve been bingeing. Who knows? This might just be the start of something new and exciting.

Right now, it’s just me, my pencils, and these circles that seem to go on forever. And for today at least, everything feels right.