When I started this blog, I was searching for a little more creativity in my daily routine. I had just stepped out of a school as an educator and into the classroom as a student. And somewhere in that shift, I started to feel a decrease in my creative spark. So to try and help with that creative rut, I grabbed a notebook, some pens, and gave myself permission to start scribbling. No goals, no pressure, just doodles.
What began as a few swirls and lines quickly turned into a deeper journey, into the brain, into childhood wonder, into daily practice, and most importantly, into myself. And now, after several blog posts, many “oops” lines, and a whole lot of learning, I’m pausing to look back on how far this little project has taken me, and maybe, how far it might take you, too.
A Few Things I Have Learned…
- Creativity isn’t lost.
That study by Dr. George Land still blows my mind—how we go from 98% creative genius at age 5 to just 2% as adults. But doodling reminded me: our creativity doesn’t vanish. It gets buried. Doodling helped me start digging. - You don’t have to be an artist to be creative.
This was a big one for me. I used to think creativity belonged to dancers, painters, or people with Etsy shops. But creativity lives in how you cook, how you live, how you rearrange your suitcase. Creativity is a mindset, not a job title. - Creativity is a muscle.
And like any muscle, it needs movement. Some days I doodled for 5 minutes, others I got lost for an hour. Either way, each pen stroke made it easier to show up the next day. The science of neuroplasticity says that our brains can change, and I’ve noticed! - Tools help, but they’re not the magic.
Sure, I love my Micron pens. But the real magic is sitting down, showing up, and practicing. - Reducing the screen time
I love my phone. But I’ve learned that unplugging, even for a few minutes, is such a mood shift. Doodling became a way to be bored on purpose. - Doodling is therapy.
Swirls. Spirals. Circles. Repetitive lines that steady your breath and help you relax and lowers stress. - Routine builds confidence.
I used to overthink about how to start. Now, I trust the process.
I’ve filled pages with patterns I once thought I “couldn’t” draw. I’ve messed up, and kept going. I’ve started sharing my doodles, and even heard from others who’ve felt inspired to try. That’s huge.
My lines have gotten smoother. My confidence, stronger. But maybe most importantly, I’ve found something that grounds me, brings joy, and reminds me to play
Here is a celebration of some of my favorite things I created!
A big thanks to you!
If you’ve read even one of these posts, thank you. If you’ve picked up a pen because of something you saw here, double thank you!
You don’t need fancy supplies. You don’t need a plan. You don’t need to “know what you’re doing.” You just need a scrap of paper, a little curiosity, and some bravery to begin.
Start messy. Stay kind to yourself. And remember: you don’t have to be an artist to be creative. You just have to be you and try!
Happy Doodling!
A recap:
You don’t have to be an Artist to be Creative
