Doodling Away Hard Times

This week has been a tough one. It seems that everywhere I look people are experiencing multiple difficult circumstances all at the same time with many of these being out of peoples control. Extreme health issues, relationship problems, deaths, natural disasters, issues in the workplace, it is all happening. It really is mind boggling because many of the sequences of events that different people are experiencing are beyond belief- you couldn’t write these things. I don’t know how many times I have heard, ‘there must be something in the water’. What is going on?

An unfinished Star doodle

When times like this occur, community is so important. When I say community, I don’t mean the one you necessarily live in, I mean your community, your network, your people. We need to stand together to support each other. Shame can lead us away from our community, and it is our self shame that I am referring to. The self-judgment we put on ourselves from not living up to the standards we set for ourselves, for life not going how we planned, for these external forces to get in the was of our responsibilities leaving us feeling like we have let people down. 

In fact, the opposite is true. These are the exact times when we have to search people out, our people. Sometimes it is only that one person in our lives, but one person is all it takes. One person to know we are not alone. Once person to go, ‘yeah, this sucks right now. I know you will pull through even though you don’t think you will’. 

I am so thankful for my people because I have also been of of those who have had many things weighing on me.  When I started this blog, I had so many ideas of what I wanted to do, and what it would look like and how I would spend my time. The reality is I have been surviving, not flourishing like I planned. I am getting through. I have had many thoughts about should I have even started this blog. But I realise, in writing about all of this, I am hopefully sending out a signal to you that you are not alone. I am having a hard time too and I am here for you. We see so much on the internet about the success and great things people are doing and thats great. We also need to see the other side and be reminded that life is not always fun and fabulous. It can be hard and it can be draining. 

My Work book

I have managed this week by doodling. This started with the work books I have been decorating. I just started drawing on one and when I finished, I moved onto  blank page in one of my note books. I had an audiobook on (Moon Over Soho - Rivers of London #2 by Ben Aaronovitch) and was just drawing away. I forgot about life, I forgot about everything. For that moment in time, I was whisked away in the book and in my drawing. 

I did a little research on doodling, thinking I could write about how its a good mindful exercise etc. What I found however was that doodling can be a form of self regulation and enhance memory, creativity, focus, concentration and reduce stress, especially when doodling in a structured manner. I was so excited to read that and I realised, so many of the things we do, without thinking are us intuitively doing what we need to do to manage difficult times. Our bodies just know. It goes to show how important it is to listen to your body and follow your gut. 

I hope you all take care of yourselves and each other this week. 2025 has been a rocky one so far. Hang in there and reach out to your people if you are struggling. 

Sending love xx