Rhythms and doodles


video preview

Hi Reader ,

Recently, I wrote an article for a magazine about how the rhythms of Africa—the drumbeat, the sway, the patterns—are grounding and calming. I find the same peace in the simple lines of doodling. There’s something about steady repetition that brings balance.

It got me thinking about teachers too. The school day and school year have their own rhythms, and those patterns give comfort and structure. Students thrive when they know what to expect. And just like a predictable schedule, the rhythm of doodle lines can bring calm, relaxation, self-regulation, and focus.

That’s why I love doodling so much—it’s a strategy I can lean on myself, and one that works wonders for students too.

I’d love to hear from you! Hit reply and tell me how you’re using doodling in your classroom (or in your life). Your success stories are always inspiring.

Have a fabulous week further!

Doodle On!

PS. My commissioned coloring book is done and submitted. I am working on my website and my Etsy store "as we speak." I'm pretty jazzed . . . I think you're going to love it.

DoodleDe

My passion is working with teachers (and teachers at heart) to help them enjoy creative self-care, often through doodling. Using a super-simple Doodle Alphabet, I guide my tribe to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions . . . one line at a time. Doodling is a fantastic meditative process that strengthens the mind, nurtures the heart, and boosts creativity. Everyone is creative (we were created to create). Sometimes we just need to reconnect to our creativity for the personal benefit . . . not to become producing artists.

Read more from DoodleDe

Hi Reader , Happy Monday! After a string of rainy, gray days, I’m looking forward to some sunshine this week. I love fall for all its cozy vibes—but a sunny fall? That’s my favorite of all. How about you? It’s been so much fun playing with the Inktober Tangle patterns this month. During last week’s DoodleU, we filled our visual vocabulary samplers with new lines and patterns. I love DoodleU because it’s dedicated, uninterrupted doodle time—and doodling with friends is always better! Here’s a...

Hi Reader , A common theme keeps popping up for me lately, and it resonates deeply with one of my main ideas — Process over Product. When I encourage people to doodle, I often hear, “I’m just not creative,” or “I don’t know how to doodle.” But here’s the thing — creativity isn’t about perfection or polished results. It’s about process. Roxanne (aka @SuperDoodleGirl) recently shared a post that gave me a fresh perspective. She talked about ways to make “ugly art.” Her list included things...

Hi Reader , This week started off with a holiday for some and a change of pace for others. It occurred to me that the rhythms of Africa and the rhythms of the Indigenous peoples of America are not so different. They all point to the same rhythmic beat that lives in us all — the steady beating of our hearts. That’s why doodling feels so grounding to me. The rhythmic repetition of lines is a simple, soulful practice that brings calm and clarity. I hope you found a few moments this weekend for...