Little Hand-Drawn Notes That Celebrate The Imperfections Of Being Human, By This Artist (40 Pics)

We all sometimes need a reminder that everything is going to be okay, and this time, it’s Sophia, an artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who is here to uplift us with her illustrations.

More info:Instagram|sophia-joan-short.com

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Hand-drawn comic showing a humorous and messy human moment with a need to scream.

First of all, Sophia shared more about herself.“Hi! I’m Sophia. I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently live in Southern California, where I work full-time as a copywriter for an apparel brand. On the side, I write a range of things, and in the past couple of years, I accidentally stumbled into illustrating.”

First of all, Sophia shared more about herself.

“Hi! I’m Sophia. I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently live in Southern California, where I work full-time as a copywriter for an apparel brand. On the side, I write a range of things, and in the past couple of years, I accidentally stumbled into illustrating.”

This one was too serious - what if we try silly for you?

Hand-drawn cartoon illustrating a humorous exchange with a 2024 calendar.

I’ve been pressing the space bar for hours and no one’s come to take me to Mars.

Hand-drawn doodle of a keyboard with a funny reminder about pressing the space bar to reach Mars.

We were wondering what drew Sophia to the world of artistry. She replied: “I’ve always liked making things. I always had little projects as a kid, but in school, I never really focused on anything creative. After college, I started writing aphorisms.From there, it kind of clicked, and now I write a range of things both for work and on the side. A couple of years ago, I started creating illustrations to go along with what I share on Instagram. At first, I used watercolor (which was a little messy), and then switched to colored pencils and pen.”

From there, it kind of clicked, and now I write a range of things both for work and on the side. A couple of years ago, I started creating illustrations to go along with what I share on Instagram. At first, I used watercolor (which was a little messy), and then switched to colored pencils and pen.”

Etiquette Guide 2025.Whip out a pair of binoculars in meetings when someone asks: " Can you see my screen?"

Hand-drawn comic about meeting etiquette, humorously suggesting binoculars for screen visibility.

Etiquette Guide 2025.Refuse invitations with: I wish I could, but I must go buy radishes!

Hand-drawn comic about life’s messiness, featuring an etiquette guide with humorous advice on declining invitations.

As for the creative process, the artist wrote: “Carving out time is key for me, so developing a routine was kind of a game changer. On weekdays, I wake up pretty early, so I can read (also an excuse to have coffee immediately), move my body, and then sit down to write for about an hour before work. On weekends, I carve out pretty big chunks of time for writing and reading.For the ideas, I generally start with the words and take inspiration from what’s going on in my life, and the world, or sometimes an idea just pops up that’s hard to shake. When I know what I want to say, I’ll doodle something to go along with it. For the actual illustration, some are based on photos I’ve taken in real life. I actually have a harder time forming mental pictures, so I’ll look at photos and draw based on that.”

For the ideas, I generally start with the words and take inspiration from what’s going on in my life, and the world, or sometimes an idea just pops up that’s hard to shake. When I know what I want to say, I’ll doodle something to go along with it. For the actual illustration, some are based on photos I’ve taken in real life. I actually have a harder time forming mental pictures, so I’ll look at photos and draw based on that.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?Dancing to my own beat even if it means do-si-doing with fear occasionally.

Hand-drawn illustration depicting the messy journey of being human, with a person dancing with a scribbled figure.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Still in a toxic situationship with cheese.

“Hand-drawn cartoon shows person in love with cheese, highlighting human messiness."

We wanted to know what Sophia hopes for her audiences to take away from her artwork. She shared: “Being a human is messy, so I hope it makes them feel less alone. Or maybe offer a laugh or a little bit of hope. I actually have a quote pinned up on my desk that says, “There’s hope in laughter” that I clipped out of a magazine years ago, and think about that a lot.”Lastly, she added: “You can follow along onInstagramor check out my websitehere!”

Lastly, she added: “You can follow along onInstagramor check out my websitehere!”

I hope I fall in love with something strange today.

Hand-drawn reminder that being human is messy, featuring a person jumping from a bed with the text about falling in love.

Etiquette Guide 2025.Respond to “How are you?” with a report on the neighborhood birds.

Hand-drawn cartoon of birds on a wire with text: Etiquette Guide 2025, highlighting being human is messy.

Etiquette Guide 2025.Attempt small talk with strangers in unexpected places.

Hand-drawn reminder about human messiness showing a restroom scene with humorous small talk.

Etiquette Guide 2025.Detour yes and no questions to an unexpected dead end.

Hand-drawn comic about human etiquette, featuring a humorous dialogue with floor scooters.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Still googling the spelling of that one word.

Hand-drawn comic about spelling “restaurant” by Sophia, highlighting the messy aspects of being human.

Hand-drawn illustration humorously illustrating that being human is messy, with a message to “goof around for a few hours."

Hand-drawn comic about the messy human experience, featuring a person in a forest for contemplation.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Hopefully adding more tenderness to the world than pain.

Hand-drawn reminder about being human, featuring a person with heart balloons and hopeful message for the future.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Spending time with people who are good for my nervous system.

Hand-drawn reminder of two people holding hands, embracing life’s messiness and human connection.

What are you taking a picture of?Just something I don’t want to forget.

Hand-drawn illustration of two people with flowers, capturing a memory, highlighting the messiness of being human.

How foolish to forget how rare all of this is.

Hand-drawn reminder by Sophia depicting three people sitting, with the text “How foolish to forget how rare all of this is."

One at a time please!

A hand-drawn illustration showing a person between a heart and brain, titled “One at a time please,” by Sophia.

Hand-drawn reminder about human etiquette in a crowded elevator, emphasizing kindness and gratitude.

Where do you see yourself in five years?Saying good morning to the birds.

Hand-drawn reminder showing a person greeting birds, illustrating human messiness and acceptance.

What led you here?A series of things that felt like mistakes, I think.

Two people stand by a sign labeled “Somewhere Good,” discussing how life’s messy journey brought them there.

As you evolve, notice who says, “I’m glad to get to know this version of you too.”

Hand-drawn stars with a reminder: “As you evolve, notice who says glad to know this version of you,” by Sophia.

Maybe the amount of extraordinary things that happen in your life depends on what you notice.

Hand-drawn reminder with a person gazing at the moon, highlighting the messiness of being human.

Zoom out a little to see your progress.

Hand-drawn illustration of hands holding a phone with text: “Zoom out a little to see your progress."