-By Carolann Fisher-Linn-
The concept of doodling has been around for so long that the word morphed into “doodlebug.” Anyone from Texas or The Keys can easily identify the doodlebug insect larva of an antlion from playing games with them as kids. Doodlebugs are WWII Nazi drone aircraft, early 20th century self-propelled train cars, and DIY tractors in post-Depression times. Doodlebuggers were those clever con-artists in 1940’s America who claimed they could find “black gold” using something akin to a divining rod historically used to dowse for water (remarkably-according to an Nov. 2012 article in NPR-they are still occasionally used in the U.K. to find water or old pipes – who knew?).
But I digress. Let’s talk about the “art” of doodling. Atlasobscure.com reveals that “The term ‘doodle’ actually dates back to the 17th century when it was used as a pejorative to describe simpletons. Over the next couple of centuries, it increasingly came to be used as a verb meaning to waste or fritter away time, and it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that it seems to have taken on the specific association with drawing and scribbling.”
Dr. John D. Moore, PhD tells us that “doodling is more than a pastime. It is a form of art therapy that helps to channel your essence.” (Psychcentral.com 9/20/17). Moore admits that he doodles, especially during meetings or long telephone conversations and says that psychologist, Robert Burns, calls this art therapy. Since doodles can be so ambiguous, let’s explore what Burns says about them.
He calls them non-verbal messages that your unconscious mind is sending, symbolizing perceptions or even feelings in visual form. Take a minute to doodle a bit. Were the forms geometric or did you randomly sketch a face? Burns claims that guys doodle geometrically while gals doodle in a more defined manner (even faces). He calls this a “window into a person’s internal landscape” which is linked to creativity and better learning.
I haven’t doodled in long time since I always seem to be taking notes when I get a pen in my hand. Yet, it is alleged that when you doodle you allow your mind to creatively express itself. A study in 2009 * (Andrade in Applied Cognitive Psychology) revealed that participants who doodled while speaking on the phone were able to recall 29% of the conversation compared to those who took notes. (uh, oh!) It turns out it’s great for concentration. Better yet, doodling is purported to help tap into your mind and soul for deeply held emotions and deliver them to the surface via your pen or pencil. If you are a face doodler, check out your sketches. They are likely quite funny with exaggerated features like the caricatures you can have sketched at a fair. “That’s because you’re tapping into your brain’s right frontal lobe; the mind’s funny bone” (ABC News, 2016). Anxious? Try doodling before a big test or interview. Got a problem that needs solving? Doodling (like art therapy) allows your unconscious mind to reveal new ideas because you are momentarily distracted from the problem. Finally, according to Burns, doodling encourages self-discovery. Feeling lost? Doodle a bit and you might find the inner you.
I have on my schedule a 1.5 hour Zoom conversation at noon. These virtual meetings and gatherings are definitely the “new normal.” If you find you are having trouble staying engaged, try doodling, according to healthline.com. “In fact, it’s a practice for many. And it may help mitigate the tech overload…”
By the way, there are doodling experts to be found. Tracey Trussell is a graphologist with an interest in doodling analysis. Sunni Brown is a visual consultant, best-selling author of “The Doodle Revolution,” and founder of Deep Self Design.
In a recent (7/12/22) article by Kimberly Dawn Neumann in Forbes Health, she cites Carol Edmonston, author of The Healing Power of Doodling: Mindfulness Therapy to Deal With Stress, Fear & Life Challenges, “who used the power of doodling to help her stay positive through two bouts of breast cancer. While it may sound a bit crazy, doodling can actually help calm the racing mind and bring it back to a quieter restful space, not unlike meditation.”
Try it, it’s a lot cheaper than therapy, and you might discover your latent Picasso.