Doodling: Join me on a personal journey to explore stress relief through art. Discover how creative expression can become your refuge in today's fast-paced world.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been doodling since childhood. While the teacher would be giving instructions at the front of the class, I would be sketching on my desk, my hands , even my jeans, letting my hand find any surface to ink upon. Like many childhood habits, doodling stayed with me. At a previous job, I remember sitting in a meeting discussing plans that I felt wouldn't succeed, much like most of our team meetings—it all seemed pointless. Although I can't recall the specifics of that meeting, I vividly remember the tone my manager used when he addressed us. It felt smug, arrogant , and insincere.

As I sat there, I instinctively grabbed a pen and began doodling on my meeting notes. Just like in school, it was the only way I could focus and maintain my calm in that stressful situation. A sense of tranquility washed over me as I created every line and shape. By the end of the meeting, my notes had morphed into a creature resembling a monstrous octopus with repetitive thin lines for skin. Looking around the room, I noticed many of my colleagues had their own notes filled with random doodles of shapes, objects, and cartoon characters. That was when I realized that, no matter how old we become, some things endure because they simply work!

So, if you're a natural doodler like me and my former colleagues, I encourage you to set aside some time this winter to embrace this practice. You don’t need anything fancy—just grab a pen and a sketch pad, a random piece of paper, or even your meeting notes, and let yourself doodle. Allow your mind to wander, and you might surprise yourself with what you've been holding back.

Check out my recipe card for more tips and ideas. Remember, it's not about creating a masterpiece, so there’s no need to criticize or judge yourself. This is simply about releasing energy in a positive way. Focus on how the process makes you feel—the way the pen glides across the paper or the sensation of watching your doodles dance around the page. Just pay attention to your feelings. If you want to add a creative twist, consider cutting out images and pasting them onto your page. It's totally optional, but I love doing this because I enjoy mixed media, and adding images is such fun! Enjoy your doodling, and please share your creations with me—I would love to see them!

Recipe Card

My Doodles + Images of the Female Body