The Art of Pausing is a creative iOS app, available now on the App Store, that helps you process emotions through drawing and reflection practices, not meditation or journaling. Features include 12 emotional pathways, guided creative practices (30 minutes each), 44 reflection cards, and private journey tracking. Membership costs £9.99/month or £72/year with a 7-day free trial.

The Art of Pausing

A creative alternative to meditation and journalling.

Pause creates space  ·  Space creates awareness  ·  Awareness creates change

7-day free trial, then £9.99/month or £72/year.

Or try a free 5-minute pause →

The Art of Pausing was created for the moments when you need space to notice what is present.

You may feel overwhelmed, hopeful, restless, joyful, stuck or full of possibility.

Rather than asking you to empty your mind or find the right words, each creative practice gives your attention somewhere new to go.

As your pen moves across the page, space begins to open for reflection, awareness and change.

The goal isn’t to create great art. The goal is to create space.

Want to experience it for yourself?

Start with five minutes.

The Spiral Shift® is a free five-minute creative practice and a simple introduction to The Art of Pausing.

All you need is a pen, a piece of paper and five minutes.

No artistic ability needed.

Features

12 emotional pathways

Begin with what feels present, from grounded, hopeful and joyful to restless, overwhelmed or stuck.

The Pause Portal

A guided creative practice, around 30 minutes, that you can pause and pick up again anytime.

The Activation Deck

Forty-four cards for a moment of reflection, matched to how you feel.

Personal reflections

Gentle, personalised reflections shaped by your journey over time.

Your Journey

Your emotional landscape, sessions and drawings, gathered quietly in one place.

The Field

An anonymous gallery of drawings from people pausing around the world. No likes. No comments.

Swipe to explore the app

The Art of Pausing app screen for choosing one of 12 emotional pathways, asking "Today I feel..." with options like Grounded, Hopeful and Joyful

Choose how you feel

Begin with the emotion that feels closest to you.

The Art of Pausing app creative practice screen, showing a hand-drawn mandala practice in progress

Enter a creative practice

Follow the visual and spoken guidance at your own pace.

The Art of Pausing app start screen

Notice what changes

Save your drawing and reflection as part of your journey.

The Art of Pausing app The Field screen, showing an anonymous gallery of drawings from other users

Enter The Field

See anonymous drawings shared by people pausing around the world.

What people notice when they pause

Real reviews from The Art of Pausing on the App Store.

The Art of Pausing is a beautifully designed app that genuinely helps me slow down and reconnect!

The content feels thoughtful, calming, and easy to use in daily life — I actually look forward to using it, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a simple but meaningful mindfulness tool.

Mags· App Store review

I love this app! I find it so much easier to stop and switch off when I’m actually doing something.

The creative exercises give my mind something to focus on while helping me slow down and reset.

Iris· App Store review

Membership

Full access to everything inside The Art of Pausing, beginning with a 7-day free trial.

Best value

Annual

£72/year

Save 40% · Only £6/month

7-day free trial. No payment today. Cancel anytime through your Apple ID.

12 emotional pathways

Unlimited creative practices

Personal reflections

Your saved drawings and journey

The Field

New practices added over time

Monthly

£9.99/month

7-day free trial. No payment today. Cancel anytime through your Apple ID.

12 emotional pathways

Unlimited creative practices

Personal reflections

Your saved drawings and journey

The Field

New practices added over time

Ready to experience a different way to pause?

Download The Art of Pausing and start your 7-day free trial today.

FAQ

What is The Art of Pausing?

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The Art of Pausing is a creative practice that helps you create space in your day without requiring meditation or journalling. Through creative practice and reflection, you move your attention from your thoughts onto the page, creating awareness and change.

How much does it cost?

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The Art of Pausing is £9.99/month or £72/year, and every membership begins with a 7-day free trial.

What devices does it work on?

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The Art of Pausing is available now on iPhone. An Android version is planned for the future.

Do I need to be good at art?

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Not at all. The goal isn't to create great art - the goal is to create space. The practices are designed to move your attention, not to produce perfect drawings.

How long does a creative practice take?

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Most Pause Portal experiences take around 30 minutes - enough time to properly create space, not just skim the surface. You can pause at any point and pick up again later, so it fits around your day rather than the other way round.

What will I need?

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A pen, a sheet of paper and somewhere to place your phone or tablet. Some practices may invite you to use coloured pens or pencils, but you can always begin with what you have.

How is this different from meditation?

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Pausing is a creative practice. Instead of sitting still with your thoughts, you move your attention onto the page through gentle, creative practice. It creates space without requiring you to empty your mind.

How do I get the app?

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The Art of Pausing is available to download now on the App Store, with a 7-day free trial included.

Last updated: August 2026