How Can Art Help Us Live Better?
I may be an English teacher, but my educational cartoons are here to help you with everyday LIFE as well! In this post, I’ve compiled sixteen of the most useful tips about life ideas for being happier and understanding our world on a deeper level. Enjoy!

Life Ideas, Illustrated
Illustrations can help us understand how to live better and happier lives by laying out useful concepts and paths forward! Browse these life ideas for a boost.
How to Stop Snacking at Night
Here is an easy 3-minute trick that really works to stop the temptation of snacking late into the night, after dinner is over!
How to Quit Coffee: Benefits and Caffeine Withdrawal Help
This may be the most practical (or shocking, depending on your perspective) article on my whole site. After 20 years of drinking multiple cups of coffee every day, I finally quit -- and lived to tell the tale and write down this tutorial for how you can do it, too -- plus see the perks (no pun intended) of cutting out those cups of Joe.
8 Benefits of Drawing
What does doing art make you happier and calmer, even if you just do stick figures? Learn 8 scientifically-backed reasons, plus ideas on how to incorporate drawings into your daily life.
How Metacognition Makes You NOT Helpless
"Metacognition" means "thinking about your thinking," and when done correctly, it is THE effective strategy for improving nearly every life situation. See examples and instructions here.
A Cartoon Story to Teach How to Apologize
There's some simple and funny math that this cartoon story illustrates which lays out the time it takes to apologize and fix a problem, versus the time it takes to avoid it or cause further drama about it. I wrote this originally to address certain behaviors in my son (he enjoyed the story and quotes it now!) but many readers have written in that they think it applies to many adults, too! All of us at one point or another, in fact.
Feeling "In-Between?" You may be in a Liminal Space in Life.
The concept of a "liminal space" is essential in order to understand why we sometimes feel an odd "in between" sensation. You'll never look at your life the same way after seeing these illustrations.
Seeing Colors During Meditation?
This article is far and away the most popular one I've ever published on this site. The comments section is fascinating, and shows that there are MANY people out there (like me!) who see colors like purple and yellow during meditation, Reiki, massage, acupuncture, or bodywork. Are you one?
Chakra Colors and Meanings: Visualizing and Healing
This is my follow-up article to the one about seeing colors during meditation, and explains the concept of chakra colors and healing in more depth.
How the Concept of "Context" Can Change Your Life
"Context" refers to the situation and surroundings around someone, and it changes everything. Learn more about this life-changing term here.
Why Is Art Important?
Art enhances our world and society -- and daily life -- more than we even realize. It can even transform a city? See real examples here from around the world, including suggestions for fabulous new artists to follow.
Stay Relevant, Not Irrelevant
Making irrelevant comments can leave people confused and frustrated! Learn how to stay relevant here.
A Story for Kids to Eat Fruit and Veggies!
Sometimes kids need a little adventure inspiration to eat those good, crunchy fruits and vegetables. I wrote this story to inspire my two young kids to grab for the broccoli and applies -- and it works!
Creative Drawings: Ideas for Kids & Adults
Learn how to get into a relaxed, happy art flow with these easy steps to creativity and drawing confidence.
How to Notice Foreshadowing Clues in Your Life
"Foreshadowing" refers to hints of something that will come in the future. Though it's often taught in the context of literature and movies, it's all around us in our real lives, too! Learn how to notice those hints which flit around us, guiding future paths and sometimes even giving important warnings.
The Hidden Things Teachers Teach
Teaching isn't just about worksheets -- there's so much more in terms of inspiration and character formation in education! See examples here.
How to Spell Dilemma: a Trick to Remember
I don't know about you, but spelling the word "dilemma" correctly has caused a lot of anxiety in my life! For this reason, I created this funny cartoon memory trick to remember the correct letter order. I haven't misspelled is since!
How a Cartoon Octopus Found Happiness: a Story
Let's close this article roundup with a funny cartoon story that might inspire you to be your true, free, fully-self-expressed self, as inspired by... a pink octopus.
Which of These Life Ideas Most Resonates?
I hope you’ve found this list of illustrated life ideas illuminating! Which of the articles and tips most connects with you? Do share!
Want more? Check out “Life Lessons for Better Living.”

The author and artist, Lillie Marshall, is a National Board Certified Teacher of English who has been a public school educator since 2003, and an experienced Reiki practitioner since 2018. All art on this site is original and hand-drawn by Lillie. She launched DrawingsOf.com Educational Cartoons in 2020, building upon the success of her other sites, AroundTheWorldL.com (established 2009), TeachingTraveling.com (founded 2010), and ReikiColors.com. Subscribe to Lillie’s monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media to stay connected!