Doodling Emerges as Accessible Mindfulness Practice Across India
In an era where expensive art supplies and digital tablets often dominate creative conversations, a simple pen is proving to be a powerful tool for peace and mindfulness. The sheer accessibility of doodling is drawing people from all walks of life, transforming it into a growing form of mental relaxation and creative expression.
Turning Everyday Surfaces into Canvases
Professionals, students, and parents are rediscovering the quiet joy of putting ink to paper, or indeed, any available surface. According to Tejo Guna, a city-based sketching and doodle artist, the essence lies in putting simple thoughts onto a surface, whether through patterns or everyday observations.
"It doesn't require much—just something to draw with and a surface to begin, and that's what makes it accessible to so many," he says. "I doodle everywhere, be it on eggs, leaves, or even fruits—I just love exploring different surfaces. Doodling isn't limited to paper; it can be done on almost anything."
Tejo shares that since his college days in 2015, doodling has been his primary method of creating and expressing thoughts. Since taking it up full-time, especially through community programs, he has encountered many individuals who have rekindled their childhood habit.
"It often reminds them of something simple they used to do as children in school, and they enjoy going back to it," he adds, highlighting the nostalgic and therapeutic appeal.
Doodling: Simple, Relaxing, and for Everyone
Atul Kabra, a Hyderabad-based doodle artist, began doodling as a hobby in 2022, balancing it with a corporate job until pursuing it full-time in December last year. Over the past few years, he has conducted workshops across corporate offices and 10-12 schools in Hyderabad, some of which have integrated doodling into their curriculum.
"What stands out is how easily people take to it—working professionals and students alike seem to enjoy the process, often finding it relaxing and engaging," says Kabra. "Participants range from as young as five to over 60, showing how it resonates across age groups."
This broad appeal underscores doodling's universal nature, making it a versatile activity for diverse demographics.
A Space to Slow Down and Create
Harini Rao, a city-based business owner, attests to the refreshing quality of doodling. "The first session I attended at my office last year instantly took me back to my school days, and since then, I find myself doodling whenever I get the time," she says.
"With something as simple as paper and a pencil or even markers—you can just start. It feels nice to just imagine and draw what comes to mind." Rao adds that in a busy and exhausting life, doodling serves as genuine therapy. "While people often say art is therapy, I truly feel that way every time I doodle."
More Than Just a Creative Break
Sanju Priya, who has participated in 10 doodle workshops at her workplace since 2024, emphasizes the social and mental benefits. "Honestly, it's such a refreshing break from work. It gives you a chance to switch off and be creative," she says. "Plus, it's a great way to meet like-minded people and make new connections."
This communal aspect enhances doodling's role beyond individual relaxation, fostering community and shared experiences.
What Draws People to Doodling
The growing popularity of doodling can be attributed to several key factors:
- Helps reduce stress and feel more relaxed: Its meditative quality offers a mental escape.
- Easy to pick up—no prior skill needed: Unlike formal art, it requires no training.
- Encourages creativity and self-expression: Allows for free-form artistic exploration.
- Can be done anywhere, anytime: Highly portable and adaptable to any setting.
- Suitable for all age groups: From young children to seniors, everyone can participate.
As more people seek simple, accessible ways to unwind, doodling stands out as a cost-effective and enjoyable practice. Its rise in workshops and educational settings signals a broader recognition of its benefits for mental well-being and creative fulfillment.
