I took up sketching a couple months ago as a way to practice being more present and observant of the beautiful details in my surroundings. My favorite subject to capture has been the women in my life doing everyday things, but because of this intentional practice of rendering something on paper as it’s happening, I’m realizing just how beautiful they look in the mundane. Here are a few examples of their womanhood shining through their routines and ways of being:

Image 1:

My roommate cooks for me all the time, sometimes to cheer me up, other times because she knows I haven’t eaten for hours, and even more often to experiment with new recipes that she’s excited to share. Being on the receiving end of her talents and nurturing nature has been such a blessing and has healed me in more ways than I can count.

Image 2:

This was one of those moments I want to remember forever. I was grappling with anxious and insecure thoughts more so than usual this morning, and I remember not wanting to indulge my friend in being in a mirror selfie with her. “I don’t feel pretty,” I said. “Close your eyes then, and let me look at you how I see you, which is always beautiful,” my friend replied. She took the mirror picture anyway as I hid my face, but for a brief moment I believed her.

Image 3:

Women are creatures of companionship and community. As much as society views our ways of spending time together like wine nights to be focused on gossip or frivolous conversation, I can’t think of anything more fundamental for my mental well-being. It’s a necessity that words can’t describe, especially at this stage of my life where everything is a whirlwind and the only way to make sense of it all is sharing those experiences deeply, which I’ve only found possible within my female friendships.