Doodle Your Way to Calm and Creativity

Have you ever found yourself scribbling absentmindedly in the margins of a notebook during a long meeting or phone call? Those little swirls, shapes, or random lines might seem like distractions, but they’re actually tiny acts of brain-gym. Doodling isn’t just a way to pass the time—it’s a powerful tool for relaxation, focus, and unleashing your creativity. Today, I’m excited to share why doodling is so good for your brain and soul, plus a fun, no-pressure exercise I love. It combines watercolors and pen doodles to create something unexpected, like my whimsical garden piece above. Ready to grab a pen and let your imagination wander?

Why Doodling Feels So Good

Doodling is like a mini-vacation for your mind. Research shows it can reduce stress by calming the amygdala, the brain’s stress center, with repetitive motions that mimic meditation. In a 2016 study 75% of people who doodled or engaged in simple art-making saw their cortisol levels drop – no artistic talent required. So it’s no wonder that scribbling a few loops or patterns can make you feel grounded and present.

But doodling does more than just relax you—it sparks creativity and sharpens focus. A 2009 study by psychologist Jackie Andrade found that people who doodled while listening to a boring voicemail remembered 29% more details than those who didn’t. Why? Doodling keeps your brain engaged, preventing it from drifting into daydreams. It’s also a playground for ideas. Sunni Brown, author of The Doodle Revolution, explains that doodling activates visual and kinesthetic parts of your brain, helping you connect dots in new ways. Even famous thinkers like mathematician Stanisław Ulam, who discovered a pattern in prime numbers through a doodled spiral, used this simple act to unlock big ideas.

For me, doodling is a way to let go of perfectionism and let my imagination run wild. There’s no “wrong” way to doodle, which makes it the perfect creative outlet for anyone, whether you’re an artist or someone who claims they “can’t draw.” And the best part? It’s fun, accessible, and can lift your mood. Studies from 2008 show that doodling positive images—like flowers, pets, or, say, a garden—can boost your mood more than venting through darker sketches. So, let’s dive into a doodling exercise that’s become my go-to for relaxation and creative play.

The Doodle Garden of Wonders: A Step-by-Step Exercise

One of my favorite ways to doodle is an exercise that combines the fluid, unpredictable beauty of watercolors with the playful structure of pen doodles. I call it my “Doodle Garden of Wonders” because it often turns random blobs into a vibrant, organic scene. Here’s how it works—and trust me, you don’t need to be an artist to try it!

What you’ll need:

Watercolor paints (any set will do, even a kid’s set!)
Watercolor paper or thick sketch paper
A paintbrush and water
A fine-tip pen (I love a black gel pen, but any pen works)
15–30 minutes of uninterrupted time

Steps to create your Doodle Garden:

Start with random watercolor blobs: Dip your brush in water and pick a color that sparks joy—maybe a bright green or soft purple. Let the paint flow onto the paper in random shapes. Don’t overthink it! Make blobs, splashes, or swirls, letting the colors bleed into each other. Aim for at least 5–10 shapes of different sizes. This part is pure play!
Let it dry: Set your paper aside for 10–15 minutes to dry completely. Grab a coffee or take a moment to breathe while the watercolor works its magic.
Doodle around the shapes: Pick up your pen and look at the dried watercolor shapes. What do you see? A blob might look like a flower petal, a leaf, or even a quirky creature. Start outlining the shapes with your pen, adding details like lines, dots, or patterns. Let the shapes guide you. For example, I saw a lopsided blob that became a drooping sunflower in my garden, with crosshatched vines curling around it. There’s no right or wrong here—just let your pen wander.
Build your garden: Connect your shapes with doodled lines or new elements. Add grass, stems, or even abstract patterns to tie the piece together. Before you know it, your random blobs will transform into a whimsical garden—or maybe something totally unexpected!
Reflect and enjoy: Step back and admire your creation. Notice how you feel—calmer? More inspired? Jot down any thoughts or emotions that came up while doodling.

When I tried this, I ended up with a garden full of wonky flowers, mushrooms, and tiny whimsical creatures I didn’t plan on. The process felt like a conversation between my brush, my pen, and my imagination. It was relaxing, surprising, and left me smiling.

Why this exercise works

This watercolor doodling exercise is a perfect blend of freedom and structure. The random watercolor shapes take away the pressure to “draw something good,” letting you start with pure spontaneity. As you doodle around them, you’re focusing on the act of creating rather than the outcome. This promotes mindfulness, reduces stress, and sparks creativity as you discover shapes and stories in the blobs. It’s like cloud-watching with a pen in hand.

You don’t need fancy supplies or skills—just a willingness to play. The act of doodling around those watercolor shapes activates your brain’s reward pathways, as shown in a 2017 Drexel University study, making you feel accomplished and relaxed even if your garden looks more like a jungle.

Try it and see what blooms

Doodling is more than a quirky habit. It’s a science-backed way to unwind, focus, and let your creativity flourish. My watercolor doodle garden exercise is just one way to tap into that magic. Whether your blobs turn into flowers, critters, or something totally abstract, the process will leave you feeling lighter and more inspired.

So, grab some watercolors and a pen, and give it a try. What ever may emerge from your doodles, may it spark joy!

Happy doodling!