Doodling & drawing for wellbeing and connection..
In the margins of textbooks, on the edges of meeting agendas, or dotted in the blank spaces of a notebook, doodles emerge as silent companions to our thoughts.
Often dismissed as idle scribbles, doodling carries a wealth of therapeutic potential for you to discover, and maybe adopt.
What is a doodle, exactly?
In simple terms a ‘doodle’ is defined as “making spontaneous marks with your mind and body to help yourself think,” It’s a kind of mental getaway expressed on paper, a desk or even a text book. For the most part it isn’t always linear. In fact, sometimes it’s cylindrical, diagonal, spherical or possibly even polka-dotted, often created while listening to or thinking about something else.
Simply put it’s just more of a spontaneous art form where one can experience their own innate creativity.
And that’s precisely its beauty.
The benefits..
If you’re like most people, you may at times experience more stress in your everyday life— professionally and personally but it doesn’t mean you have to let it build up and become chronic, which can be a compromise to your everyday health.
Stress as we all know is toxic, and doodling can help mitigate it’s negative effects.
The rhythmic and repetitive motion of drawing is a great relaxation response to everyday stress. By synchronising the hand and eye—thereby allowing the coordination of body and mind—doodling can become a calming and meditative experience.
How to get started with doodling..
Start simple
Don’t worry about your drawing skills. Begin with basic shapes like lines, dots, circles, and triangles. They’re the building blocks of more complex doodles.
Mindful beginnings
Find a comfortable spot, take a few deep breaths, and commit to being present. Let your pen flow freely on the paper without worrying about what the outcome will look like.
Creative exploration
Fill your doodle with whatever comes to mind—waves, dots, colours, anything. Embrace the freedom and explore different possibilities. Pause midway through your doodle. Notice your thoughts and feelings.
Are you relaxed or stressed? Trust the process and let go of any judgments. When you finish, take a moment to reflect and appreciate your creation. Turn your doodle around and see it from different angles. Embrace the perspectives it offers.
Or explore your creative side with this mindful in person workshop..
If you passionate about community and finding like minded people — and you happen to be close to our ‘physical space’ or have a creative studio near you.
Why not join a workshop on doodling or a sip & paint workshop that helps promote mindfulness, creativity & confidence as you put pen to paper and see what comes out ?
By focusing on the drawing you'll help the stresses and responsibilities of your daily life melt away, connecting you to what's really important to you and interpreting that onto the page.
What begins as aimless marks on paper can blossom into a profound journey of self-discovery through the art of doodling.
From fostering concentration to unlocking creativity, doodling serves as a testament to the boundless depths of the human mind and its innate capacity for healing and growth.
Find out more about community workshops range of community events designed to break down barriers & encourage in person interaction, collaboration and know how here.
Image (s)
2016 | Yu Ichi - A retrospective 1955 - 1985 Kanazawa | Japan
DÉCLARATION DES DROITS DE L'HOMME ET DU CITOYEN DE 1793