Why Doodle?

(Here are some of my reasons for doodling...I would love to hear Why YOU Doodle!)

For Fun!!!

Why Doodle? This question can be answered with 2 simple words. For Fun. This is the first and most important rule for doodling. During college, I took a drawing class. I was so excited for this class. It wasn't but a couple weeks in that I had come to hate the class. The reason? It wasn't fun. There were too many "rules" and my teacher didn't like my projects so I got a bad grade. It really turned me off of art for a while and took me some time to recover.

I believe that doodling, or any kind of art for that matter should be something that you have fun doing. Doodling is something I do when I want to relax and enjoy myself. Once I start getting stressed out about a drawing or not enjoying it, I walk away and don't come back until I'm ready to have fun again. Having fun should be your primary motive for doodling.

Replace Those Bad Habits

We all get stressed, nervous and bored for one reason or another. And we all have ways to deal with these states of mind. I like to call them nervous habits. Biting nails, popping knuckles, scratching at my scalp-I do them all. Now not only do these habits annoy my husband, (not that his constant drumming or leg shaking is any better) but they effect me physically and can even bring me harm. Hangnails, scabs, big knuckles, not to mention the bruises I get when I dare to pop my knuckles in the middle of the night in the ear of my husband.

Let's take the classroom environment. The professor is going on and on about something. You've repositioned yourself several times trying to keep your eyes open. You start tapping your pencil only to find your neighbor giving you the look. And you've already been threatened once for shaking your leg on the desk in front of you. You don't dare pop your knuckles. What else can you do?

This scenario is all too familiar, and just not with students. Staff meeting, board meetings, conference calls, endless church meetings; they all bring out those nervous habits that aren't good for you.

Why Doodle? How is that going to help things? Not only does it take your mind off of things, doodling keeps you from harming yourself and annoying others with those other habits we have. Think off all the broken finger nails you would be sparing and the dirty stares you'd be avoiding. And on top of it all, you can produce your own wonderful artwork.

Creative Tool

Nothing makes me more crazy than when I hear one of my students say, "I can't" or "It's too hard" It especially makes my angry after I've worked so hard to set aside special art time for these kids and it turns out all they can do is whine about it. The point is, while not everyone is born an art prodigy, we all have the ability to be creative.

You don't know where to start? Well stop whining, and start Doodling. Personally, this is why I doodle. I believe everyone can doodle. Why doodle? It's a wonderful way to be creative even if you don't think that's possible. Doodling is such a free expression of art, anyone is able to do it.

Going back to my students, when I started introducing my Doodling Activities and projects, their attitudes changed dramatically. Everyone's "Doodle Art" was different and it was okay. It was one of the only way most of these kids were able to use their creative art side without feeling bad about themselves. My whole goal with this website is to show people we can all be artists. The Doodle provides that for us.

Relaxation Technique

The last of my "Why Doodle" answers: Doodling can be a huge relaxation technique. We all have certain ones we do when we are under stress or have a lot on our minds. Rubbing the temples, listening to soft music, doing yoga are a few examples. Doodling can help unlock some hidden stressors that are hindering you.

For instance, you get home from work, tired and frustrated and don't even know where to begin fixing things. Sit down with a blank piece of paper and start doodling. Much like writing, some unconscious images might slip out, pictures that might help fix the situation.

I use doodling all the time with my work. As a teacher I come home and have a different problem I need to solve each day with the students. Behavior, grades, motivation-you name it, I have to deal with it. I don't even know where to begin so I start doodling on a piece of paper and ideas find themselves. Before I know it, I've drawn up a new seating chart that might solve some talking issues, or a poster reinforcing procedures at the restroom. It sounds silly, but sometimes you just need to get it down on paper.

Who would have ever thought there was more than one reason to Doodle. Try to answer your own "Why Doodle" question and find some ways doodling helps you in your life.

Is doodling a relaxing technique,or just a way to pass the time in a boring meeting? I gave you my reasons, now it's your turn...

Click on the links below to find out why other people doodle. They were all written by visitors to this page.

To divert boredom  Nothing entertains boredom during a long lecture at school than doodling in the margins of my notebook. When the teacher is really dull my doodles may ...

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