Daily Doodles: A Different Way to Journal

In the summer of last year, July 2009, I decided to take some steps to alter my life path. This would seem like the perfect time to begin a journal or art journal, yes? As much as I have admired the process of art journaling that I see others do, it has just never been able to become an outlet for me. But I needed to do something as I had too many thoughts and feelings that were simultaneously having a frat party and a war battle inside my head, and they needed to be heard. (Outside of my head.) I had heard of doodling exercises before where someone had taken a typical wall calendar and created a little doodle inside of the box for each day, to mark the day. Then I came across a doodle app for my phone and something clicked. This I could do. Every day. As a reflection of how I was feeling on that day. I liked that I had little control over too much detail (unlike an actual piece of paper, using pens and paint and brushes) since I could only use my finger and that I had little space to work in. I also decided to keep it to black, red and white. These seemed to easily reflect my core emotions. As someone who likes to distill things to their important essence, this practice seemed perfect and I made a commitment to do at least one (some days I do two) doodle a day for a year. To keep myself accountable, I decided to post them on my Facebook profile. Nine months later, I'm still with it, and while I haven't always felt like doing it every day, I have. Every day. (Even though I sometimes wait a day or two before actually posting the pics). And I think it's been therapeutic to have this outlet as I search, grow and explore this new path I'm on--letting go of the past and not having too much of clear picture of the future. The slide show here is a sampling for you to see what I'm talking about. If you've struggled with committing to a daily practice before, maybe you should give something like this a try. It's fascinating to look at the hundreds of doodles you'll accumulate as a group. Little doodles, big impact.

Comments

[Margot]

I love these. What a great creative exercise! Avalon has an iPod with a function like this she uses to make these wonderful little cartoons.

There is a book here you realize...

I wish you well on your journey, my friend. Go boldly forth!

Cheers,
Margot

[linda]

Found your blog through crescendoh and love your idea of daily doodles. Even if it's a little something, a daily routine adds up to a lot :)

[aimee]

this is so neat - i never knew something like this existed! and i love your last sentence "little doodles, big impact" - that should be a motto for all doodlers!

[Diana Trout]

It has been a pleasure to keep track of your doodle a day, Tonia. I'm always interested in them. Little treasures. How interesting to know the back story!

[Stephanie Bolton]

I've been thinking a lot lately that there must be something so special about discipline- I liked how you mentioned that even though doodling is something you enjoy, you didn't always feel like doing each day but did it anyway. I am an artist & a dancer and when I look at others in those fields who I really admire, I keep noticing this pattern of discipline in their lives... thinking it must be a very essential tool to achieving amazingness in the things we love.

[Jo Wholohan]

Hi Tonia, just stopping by via kellys class to say thank you for your wonderful insight and taking the time to share with us xx
PS very much enjoying reading your blog

[Juliette Crane]

saying hello from flying lessons! thank you so much for being our guest :) i've been thinking of starting up an art journal, but i don't think i could do the digital thing. for me, there's something so therapeutic about hands to paper and getting charcoal and paints all over yourself. super glad to hear this is working for you!

best wishes!
juliette

[Lorrie Everitt Studio]

Hello Tonia - I'm just coming over from Kelly Rae's Flying Lessons as well.

Great post ... love the idea of doing art everyday and doodles seem so do-able!

I was really excited to read your "sharing is like sunshine" post as well. I follow Jenny on Crescendoh and love the "art saves" concept that she has going. My "art saves" story was featured a few months ago on the site. Kelly Rae's book was a big part of my story to recovery.

Thanks so much for sharing so much with us at Flying Lessons. Writing an arts and crafts book has been a dream of mine since I was quite young so it was great to hear your point of view and your tips for getting published. I have a lot of homework to do but at least now I feel like I have some idea of how to get started now! Thanks again.

[Dd2407]

Hey, I love this, flying in from KR's course,

and I'm going to find this for my ipod, thank you!!!!

xx Denise

[TJ]

It is so rewarding to see the accumulation of small consistent/dedicated actions. Good for you! These doodles are so fun. Thank you for sharing. Now I want to find a doodle app for my phone... happy creations, tj in germany

[Dd2407]

mmm, would you mind telling me the actual name of the app.... I'll keep looking, but there are several coming up that don't look quite right? cheers.

[Kylie]

Starting an art journal was recently recommended to me via a comment on my blog. I have often toyed with the idea, but felt intimidated by all of the gorgeous art journals you catch snippets of across the blog-sphere. On the weekend I purchased a plain sketch book for the purpose then an hour or so later I came across a lovely handmade note book with different pages and little envelopes built in. It spoke to me as an art journal, so it came home with me. Neither have a mark in them next. I am worried I am setting myself up to fail with the beautiful notebook!!! I can see the value in your chosen medium, but unfortunate my phone is very low tech!! Wish me luck on this journaling adventure, I am so glad you are getting so much out of yours.