Playful Miniguides: A semi-regular series of simple guides to the art of playful living.

Choose a Pen

Pick a doodle pen or pencil. Give it a special home so you’ll know where to find it when you want to doodle.

Find some paper

Respect your inner creativity by choosing paper that’s special for you. You might like to set aside a notebook for doodles & drawings, or you may prefer to find random scraps of paper. Train tickets rouse feelings of journey and adventure, whilst instruction manuals conjure up your inventive self.

Make a drawing space

This can be anywhere – on the bus, in the park, in front of your TV, even in class. Doodling activates the creative side of your brain, helping you absorb ideas and see connections in what you’re learning.

Draw

Put pen to paper. It’s as simple as that. Doodle whatever comes to mind, or better still, release your unconscious and draw without thinking. Give your pen complete freedom to reflect your thoughts and your feelings.

Interpret

Look up what doodles reveal about your inner self. Doodles can unveil unreleased idea, moods, and dreams.

Learn

Redefine your doodling habit by learning some new doodles. If certain doodle shapes are related to a mood you want to evoke, try learning those.

Get creative

Doodles can be used as a memory tool, to connect ideas, and to resolve problems.

Memory

When learning a new thing, as well as taking written notes, draw doodles related to what you’re learning. When you go back over your notes, the doodle will provoke your memory.

Connect

Doodle mind maps and diagrams. These doodles include both words and pictures.

Conflict

Instead of arguing over disagreements, try doodling how you see the situation. Again, include words and pictures. This helps you see the conflict in a new way, and turns it into a catalyst of creativity.

If you have an idea for a Miniguide, please get in touch: david.masters@yahoo.co.uk.