Just Doodlin'

As most people who know me know, I am a doodler. What is Doodling? Doodling is the act of drawing, sketching, or scribbling absentmindedly, often while engaged in another activity like listening, thinking, talking on the phone or daydreaming. These spontaneous creations can take many forms—simple shapes, patterns, abstract designs, or even small illustrations. They're typically done with pen or pencil on paper, though digital doodling has also become common. It is usually unplanned and lacks a specific artistic goal, distinguishing it from deliberate drawing or illustration. Here are some examples of my own doodles.

Why Do People Doodle?

People doodle for a variety of reasons, often without consciously intending to. I might be considered a compusively doodler by some, but years ago when I was asked about my doodling in a meeting, I'd just read some research stating that doodling can help maintain attention and improve concentration. I'm not sure if it was this one, but a 2009 study by psychologist Jackie Andrade found that doodlers recalled 29% more information than non-doodlers when listening to a monotonous recording. By engaging the brain’s default mode network lightly, doodling prevents daydreaming and keeps the mind anchored to the present task, such as during meetings or lectures.

For some folks, doodling serves as a calming mechanism, reducing stress and anxiety. The repetitive, rhythmic motions of drawing simple patterns can have a meditative effect, similar to mindfulness practices. Art therapy research suggests that doodling allows individuals to express emotions nonverbally, providing a safe outlet for feelings that might be hard to articulate. I also suspect that some people doodle because they are bored. For those I recommend taking up art. It can also be theraputic and even rewarding.

I just looked it up and learned that the word "doodle" dates back to the 17th century. It originally meant "foolish person." In the 20th century it referred to casual scribbling. In my journals from the past 45 years you'll find all kinds of doodles, patterns, marginalia and designs. If I were someone famous, I suppose there would be an effort made to analyze them and make pronouncements about what they mean. Since I'm not (famous) it means that most of these forty volumes of journal writing will likely become landfill or recycled paper. What do you think?