Mindful Mandalas: Finding Calm in Nature’s Patterns

I’ve always been fascinated by the little patterns that turn up in nature — the spirals in a snail shell, the way sunflower seeds line up so perfectly, or the layers of a pine cone. Later I discovered that this was part of the Fibonacci spiral, and it made me love it even more. At the same time, I was drawn to the art deco movement, especially the repeating shapes and symmetry in the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

So when I came across mandala art, it felt like all those things I loved had come together. Repeating shapes, balance, spirals — they remind me of both nature’s geometry and the careful design of deco patterns.

Colouring, for me, has never been “just a hobby.” It’s one of those things that helps me slow down, process what’s in my head, and take some proper “me time.” That’s why I designed my own colouring book, Mindful Mandalas, with shapes inspired by nature — daisies, aloe vera plants, oak leaves, clover, even butterflies.

There’s something about circular designs in particular that feels really calming. They naturally lead your eye in or out, helping you to focus on the details and find your flow. And when you get into that flow, your breathing slows, your mind quietens, and it almost feels like your body knows what to do next.

If you’re new to colouring, my biggest tip is: don’t overthink it. Pick colours you’re drawn to in the moment, and just play. I included a swatch page in the book with little four-petal flowers, so you can test out colour combos first if you want to. The paper is thick and good quality, but I still recommend popping a sheet behind your page if you’re using pens or paints — just in case.

You can find Mindful Mandalas on Amazon now, and I’ll soon have digital versions available in my shop too.

Over to you:
What mindful practices help you to centre yourself when things feel overwhelming?