For this inquiry post, I focused on doodling as a way to take a mental break. I put on a show in the background, one I’ve seen before so I wouldn’t be too invested and let myself draw freely. One of the things I love about doodling is that there’s no pressure to get things perfect. Unlike when I’m following a specific tutorial or sketching an object, doodling feels completely open-ended. There’s no way to mess up, which makes it such a relaxing way to express myself. I often get frustrated when a drawing doesn’t work out the way I want it to, so having an outlet where mistakes don’t really exist makes the process much more enjoyable.
I also realized that I usually scroll on my phone when I’m in front of the tv, which is not my best habit. I found doodling gave me something more creative and mindful to do instead. In fact, I was so focused on my drawings I barely even paid attention to the show. This experiment showed me that doodling can be a great way to unwind without distraction and I definitely want to start incorporating it into my downtime.
I also wanted to compare this experience to using my iPad since I sometimes go on a colouring app for fun watching tv. This time, instead of colouring, I opened a blank canvas and doodled just like I did on paper.
While it was still enjoyable, I don’t think it’s my preferred method. There’s something about using actual paper that feels more relaxing. With the iPad I was way more tempted to erase and redo my work, trying to make everything look perfect since it’s easier to do that digitally. On paper, I don’t have that option so I just enjoyed the process without overthinking every line. It reminded me that sometimes the imperfections in art are what make it fun and having a physical page to flip through afterward made the experience feel more rewarding.