Drawing Through the Pain: My Journey with Wrist Tendonitis✨
A gentle reminder to rest, heal, and have hope
Hi moonbeam~ 🌙
Since late February, I’ve been quietly battling something that many artists fear: wrist tendonitis.
At first, I tried to ignore it — brushing off the stiffness, the soreness, the weird jumping sensation in my tendons. But eventually, it became impossible to hide:
Sharp stinging pain in my thumb and wrist.
Swelling and visible bruising.
My hand couldn’t hold a pen without hurting.
And I couldn’t do what I loved the most — draw.
This is a story about the emotional rollercoaster that came with that, and what it taught me about healing, patience, and being gentle with myself.
☁️🌸☁️✨☁️🌙☁️✨☁️🌸☁️
🌿 The Hardest Part Was... Not Drawing
I think a lot of us artists feel guilty when we’re not “making something.”
But what happens when your body literally won’t let you?
The pain in my hand grew worse with each small task — brushing my hair, picking things up, even scrolling my iPad.
My tendons were inflamed and exhausted. I was scared I’d never get better.
The worst part?
That desperate, itchy need to draw.
But every time I tried — even a little doodle — it made the pain worse.
I had to learn to rest not just my hand, but my heart.
To be okay with pausing.To trust that healing takes time.
☁️🌸☁️✨☁️🌙☁️✨☁️🌸☁️
🩺 My Healing Journey (So Far)
After lots of appointments, tests, and therapy, here’s what’s helped me the most:
-
Occupational Therapy:
My therapists have shown me gentle exercises I now do at home every day. It’s helped restore flexibility and reduce pain little by little. I truly believe this is one of the biggest reasons I’m feeling better. -
Wearing a Splint:
I wore a supportive wrist brace for 2 months full-time. Now I only wear it while I sleep to prevent stress while I rest. It made a huge difference in reducing strain. -
Supplements (based on personal experience):
I’m not a health advisor — just sharing what helped me!-
Collagen pills
-
Arnica (natural anti-inflammatory for muscles & bones)
-
CBD lotion for soothing relief (I found mine at Sprouts!)
-
-
Pain Relief:
-
Icy Hot (strong but minty!)
-
CBD-based lotions (gentler smell, great for public days)
-
Occasional cold compresses for swelling
-
☁️🌸☁️✨☁️🌙☁️✨☁️🌸☁️
Here’s what helped me stay connected to my art, without drawing:
-
Watch art courses & YouTube tutorials
Stay inspired and keep your creative eye trained! I used this time to binge Domestika videos and technique breakdowns. -
Keep a Pinterest mood board
Gather colors, poses, styles, and ideas — even if your hand isn’t moving, your imagination still can. -
Write or voice note your ideas
If you can’t sketch, write out your concept or story! Even recording little thoughts on your phone helps you stay engaged. -
Revisit your old art gently
Look at what you’ve already made — admire it, reflect on it. Sometimes your past work reminds you of how far you’ve come and how much you’ll do once you’re healed.
☁️🌸☁️✨☁️🌙☁️✨☁️🌸☁️
-
Don’t wait for pain to “go away” — seek help early
-
Don’t push through it (I did, and I regret it!)
-
Let go of guilt — you’re not being lazy. You’re healing.
-
Listen to your body. A rested artist is a thriving artist.
-
Draw with your eyes, heart, and mind when your hand can’t. That’s still growth.
☁️🌸☁️✨☁️🌙☁️✨☁️🌸☁️
I’m still in recovery, but I’ve come so far since February.
I can finally use my hand with less pain, more flexibility, and most importantly… more hope.
This journey reminded me that even when our body says “pause,” our art spirit keeps glowing quietly inside.
To anyone struggling with wrist pain, joint strain, or just chronic exhaustion:
You are still an artist.
Rest is not weakness.
And you will create again.
Take it slow. Be gentle. Healing is its own kind of masterpiece.
And you deserve to feel good while you make beautiful things. ✨
,With love, warmth, and a soft wrist wrap
Chiisai Tsukiko aka Tiny Moonchild 🌙🐾
No comments:
Post a Comment