National Doodle Day–Who Knew?

Well, I, for one, did not know that today is National Doodle Day. (That’s Neil Gaiman’s Doodle. Looks remarkably like something a Junior Hall drew in the 4th grade. )

But I kinda like this doodle idea.

I know most of us think of doodling as drawing little squiggles or curves, making silly little pictures on a piece of paper. We doodle in a class when the teacher gets boring. We doodle at a conference when the speaker gets repetitive. We doodle at church when the sermon drags.

Or maybe that’s just me. The point is, most of the time, we doodle when our mind’s not completely occupied. But have you ever let your mind doodle? When you’re occupied with some boring chore, like pulling weeds, or painting outside furniture, or scrubbing a tub, haven’t you let your mind wander? Sort of like a mental doodle?

I doodle out a plot problem while I’m planting a row of pansies. I doodle out an idea for a column while I’m washing my hair. I doodle a character’s traits while I’m unloading the dishwasher. When I mentally doodle, thoughts ramble about here and there. I may not have a substantive solution, but I will have a starting point, or perhaps a couple of points to develop.

The problem with mentally doodling is that, if you’re not careful, your wonderful doodle will go poof! Unlike your squiggles from your 10th grade notebook (Cathy + Tommy 4ever), thoughts and ideas may not stick around unless you take a moment to write them out.

Although, honestly, I have a couple doodled notes that make absolutely no sense to me now. Sort of like Tommy 4ever. I have NO idea who Tommy was.

6 thoughts on “National Doodle Day–Who Knew?”

Poor Tommy is probably heartbroken right about now… :)I have "mental doodles" I tried to capture on paper – and napkins – and apparently, the brilliance got lost somewhere in the translation.(The other day's word was "piddle" and today the word is "doodle." What does that make the next word – "poodle"?) 🙂

I think my whole life is a doodle. I practically doodle on everything or about everything in my head. I think it's good for the imagination, don't you? Plus, who doesn't love to find little surprise animation here and there?ava

Mental doodling–love it. Pretty much describes my life.

National Doodle Day, huh? Now there's a holiday I can really get behind! I have quote a collection of Post-It notes around my writing area as a testament to the creative power of mental doodling. Great post, Cathy!

I absolutely think it's great for the imagination!And Vicky, you've done pretty well with your mental doodling. :-)Oh! And Kelly? I have sticky notes on TOP of sticky notes! (Thanks!)