Why Your Brain Loves to Doodle

The Surprising Power of Mindless Drawing

Hey Friend,

How is your Sunday? We’re meeting up with friends for brunch this weekend. What do you have planned?

Last week, while listening to a podcast edit of textile artist Qualeasha Wood’s episode, I stared at a page of overlapping circles in my notebook.

Editing a podcast episode requires laser focus and attention to audio and visual cues. It’s not a task you can complete while multitasking.

Qualeasha’s story is as captivating as it was when I interviewed her in person. When she talked about meeting Faith Ringgold for the first time, I froze.

Instead of timestamps and insights, dozens of tight and thick circles sprawled across the margins of my notebook. Yikes! Why wasn’t I focusing?

Once I wrapped the episode, I wondered if there was research on doodling. There is, and the research on doodling might surprise you.

Here’s a fact that’s counterintuitive: your beautiful brain focuses best when you’re not trying to focus.

When your hand starts a mindless conversation with the page itself, your mind gets busy making mindful connections. As you draw, your focus muscles relax. Your stress level goes down. And voilà, your mind opens the door to a playdate with creativity.

Oh, and if you like stats, you’re 29% more likely to retain information when you doodle! Say what? Is doodling creative kindling that helps ideas catch fire?

YOUR TURN

Is doodling part of your creative process? If not this week, why not doodle on purpose? Start with a circle, a dot, or squiggles. Move your favorite writing utensil as you wish with no pressure to create anything. Even if it’s for 10 minutes, have fun with geometric patterns, spirals, or repeated shapes.

Once your doodling session wraps up, take note of how you’re feeling. Are you more relaxed or did your breathing change, perhaps?

When you’re done, snap a photo and tag me on social media (@thisishowwecreate_ )! Let’s stay creative, even when it’s with one doodle at a time.

See you next week!

Martine x