DocSusan cares and shares with special updates

 

I am a big fan of doodle-making for stress relief and reflection. We doodle not only when we're bored, but also when we're frustrated, lonely, or confused, and more. No particular skill or talent is required for doodling--perhaps the less, the better.

The doodle is (usually) for the doodler's eyes only. But you never know what might emerge and who might be interested in seeing it. When there's no pressure to perform, produce, or complete something, we're often more relaxed. What develops might surprise us, as well as those with whom we choose to share it.

Your doodle kit should be small and light enough to accompany you most anywhere (doodle paper or notebook [as tiny as 3 inches square], pencil or pen, small packet of markers, pastels, or pencil crayons). That way, it shouldn't draw unnecessary attention, whether during a lecture, beside the phone, at your desk, under the table, on the bus, or elsewhere.

With doodling as a personal healer and friend you're not stuck for company or entertainment. Also, no batteries, fees, or cables are required. Doodling is a low-tech, cost-effective way to play, grow, unwind, simplify, and more.

To some, doodling is a well-kept secret. To others, it's a survival strategy/life-line. Sometimes, the more you doodle, the more you'll want to. Other times, you don't even think about doing it. Even if you doodle infrequently, it's easy to get back into—like riding a bicycle, but without storage or maintenance problems. You can stick doodling materials in your pocket, and they won't rust!

Most people realize, eventually, that they have their own set of doodle symbols, styles, shapes, and forms which they'll produce over and again, for no particular reason. Nevertheless, the beauty of doodling is that no matter what you end up creating, you can't be graded or analyzed for it (unless you seek to be). Should you become hooked on doodling, you might wish to share your doodles, or develop them in to something more.

Noticing something pleasing, helpful, or original in your doodles is a true gift/"aha" moment. And I do believe the best gifts come by surprise, like this. The self-help galleries that follow give me the opportunity to share some of my own doodle gifts, while demonstrating the scope and power of doodling. This is something I hope you'll feel encouraged to explore for yourself.

The doodles are divided between six specific galleries. The first three are media related. You get to see doodle possibilities in , , and . Also, words accompany the imagery. The fourth is a gallery of doodles . This gives the viewer a warm-up opportunity of sorts, to ponder their own doodle explanations and ideas. Galleries five and six each have imagery that's specifically heart-focused. Hearts are recurring and abundant symbols—not just for me and no matter the media. Therefore, I decided they merit two galleries of their own: and . The doodles in each of the six galleries are arranged in random order.

Sometimes, I give my doodles names. Other times, a statement, reflection, conclusion, or longer poem is attached. What I write can depend on a variety of factors: the medium used (ink, watercolor, or pastel), the size and form of the doodle, the time the doodle takes to complete, the time spent contemplating. Some words might be inspirational. Others might say things plainly—point out truths, realities, or assumptions that can be hard to hear or accept. No matter how or why the words accompanying the doodles are chosen, they offer viewers, as well as creators, opportunities to vent, celebrate, stress, or simply acknowledge—and more.

©Susan R. Makin, 2008