When I’m Not Drawing Is a Cozy Solo Life Sim About Art, Rent, and Growing Up
Living on your own is equal parts freedom and responsibility. When I’m Not Drawing captures that delicate balance in a wholesome, wistful life sim about creativity, connection, and figuring things out one day at a time.
You spend a full in game year navigating solo adulthood. There is no world to save. No looming apocalypse. Just you, your sketchbook, your schedule, and yes, the rent.
A Year to Call Your Own
At its heart, When I’m Not Drawing is about time. Each day offers choices. Do you pick up a barista shift for extra cash? Head to a yoga class? Relax at the cafe? Go camping? Or simply stay home and recharge?
You manage your weekly plan carefully. Energy, money, and personal growth stats all matter. Art Skill, Knowledge, Fitness, Charisma, Confidence, and Grit shape how your year unfolds. Even a quiet coffee break can nudge your growth in subtle ways.
It is cozy, but not careless. Living costs are real. Work too much and you might burn out. Relax too often and your wallet starts to feel light. The rhythm feels grounded in everyday life, where small decisions slowly build into something bigger.
Drawing Is Only Part of the Story
While art is central to your character, the game makes it clear that life continues when you are not creating. The question is not just what you draw, but who you become in the process.
Do you follow trends or stay true to your style? Sleep in on weekends or chase productivity? Stand your ground in an argument or smooth things over? Branching dialogues and rich story moments respond to these choices, shaping relationships and long term outcomes.
After one in game year, your story reaches an ending. Career paths and relationships can turn out differently depending on how you spent your time. And if you are not satisfied, you can start again. You do not only live once here.
Friends, Dates, and Quiet Conversations
The neighborhood is filled with a curious cast of characters. You can share memories, uncover personal stories, and build friendships that may even grow into romance.
Some days might be about chance encounters in the city. Other days are quieter, like listening to the rain while working a shift and slipping into a calm flow state. The tone leans into gentle introspection without losing its playful charm.
Exploration adds texture to daily life. Visit a newly opened bakery, stop by the beach, attend an art show, or just run errands for groceries and stationeries. These small slices of routine give the world a lived in feel.
A Solo Developer’s Long Dream
When I’m Not Drawing is created by Hidden Moon, a solo indie developer based in California. The idea first took root in 2019, with full development beginning in 2024. Years of daydreaming were followed by years of coding, drawing, writing, and late night snacks.
That personal touch shows in the game’s soft visual style and reflective tone. It feels intimate, like a scrapbook of everyday adulthood, stitched together with care.
For anyone who enjoys cozy sims, narrative driven life stories, or simply the quiet satisfaction of planning out a week and seeing where it leads, this is one to keep an eye on.
