Why bother doodling?

Why indeed. 

If you are already an avid doodler then you'll know the answer. If you are not or you are looking for a fun and easy way to re-ignite your creative spark - then I've got the match.

This Sunday 01 February I’m running the next Mini Doodleicious Exploration and wanted to let you know there are still some tickets available to join in the fun. And I promise it is lots of fun!

I also wondered if you’d been thinking any of the following things…

1) Why bother doodling? It’s a waste of time. Time I have little of already trying to fit in all the things I want to do!

2) What a course about doodling! I know how to doodle – why would I need to learn this? (this is actually what my step-mum said when I was chatting to her about my upcoming courses and what I’m up to)

My response to these two questions is – I don’t teach you how to doodle, you’ll have your own doodling style. It’s much more about how you can use doodling as part of your wellbeing toolkit. Yes I have some different games and techniques to share with you, but you'll still do these in your own way. There is no right or wrong with doodling. Its very freeing. 

The simple act of Doodling can help with all manner of things such as improving focus, expanding your imagination, kick starting your creativity, helping you to get ‘un-stuck’ with a problem, using it as a meditation and evidence now suggests that by being creative you are also developing new brain cells. [there is research to back this up. A study conducted in 2006 by George Washington Centre of Aging, health & Humanities called Creativity & Aging.]

This to me is VERY exciting. And as I discovered on the course I ran last year – allowing yourself to doodle – to have permission for it not to be perfect and how it actually helped some of my lovely doodlers overcome a fear of drawing. It was pretty epic! Plus it’s FUN!

[Serious bit coming up] I use doodling for all kinds of reasons. I suffer from bouts of depression and can go from feeling as happy and bouncy as a lamb to being stuck down the dark recesses of a rabbit warren with no visible means of escape. Over the years I've learnt to recognise this much more clearly and am able to call on the different tools in my kit bag to stop me slipping too far down that rabbit hole. I know what it’s like in there and I don’t want to be back in that space. 

Hope this isn't all sounding too dramatic for you! Personally I've found that using different doodling techniques and games has helped me no end and one of the things about this mini exploration is if you’re feeling a bit down it helps lift you up. There is no pressure about the doodle having to look or be a certain way. It isn't meant to be a perfect representation of anything really. p.s I'm a coach, encourager and creative adventurer and have been through some sh*t but I'm not a therapist! [end of serious bit]

So if this is something that appeals to you and you’d like to see how doodling could help you – Come and join in the fun! You might just surprise yourself! 

OR if you are thinking – ooh I bet my friend….[fill in the  gap] would love this and so would my sister/brother/auntie…you get the idea! Please do share the details with them. Use the share buttons at the bottom of this post.

Share it with whoever you think would benefit. I’m all about sharing ways to re-discover or un-cover your creativity for a richer and juicer life.  I basically want to help as many people as I can and am on a bit of a Creativity Mission so can you help me by sharing about the Doodleicious-ness far and wide? A heart felt thank you to you. 

What have previous Doodleicious Explorers got to say about it?

Here’s a few of the lovely things past Doodlers have said on this Mini Exploration:
When I asked my lovely doodle explorers what did you enjoy most about this exploration? Some said:

• Looking forward to each day's challenge and wondering what fun task it will be.
• Knowing that a doodle doesn't have to take long and doesn't have to be perfect.
• Permission to try doodling!
• It's just been great fun. It's interesting to see other people's ideas and I haven't felt that my efforts were inferior even though technically some of them really were!

Some other lovely things...including a super film done by one doodler!

“The moment I saw this course advertised I thought Yes! That will be fun, that will loosen me up, it's a bargain. I was not disappointed. It's been a brilliant challenge full of laughs and surprises, so well done!” Mina Sassoon - Mindfulness Teacher

"It's quite meditative and revelatory, not necessarily both at the same time. I'm really enjoying the course!" - Clare Barry

If you want to see Richard's finished BIG doodle go here. NOTE no drawing skills are actually required for this doodle adventure! ;-)

And last but not least Jayne Dennett-Lewis shared 3 things she’d discovered on our Doodleicious journey: 

1. Doodling is more fun in colour, the brighter the better! 
2. Doodling can help me focus & concentrate or it can totally distract me & help me relax - both can be useful!
3. I am more creative than I thought, despite my lack of talent in some areas! 

For the full low down on the Mini Doodleicious Exploration and how to sign up for the cheeky price of £18 (includes a tree planting)– make your way over the Doodle Page!

Doodly Yours

Morwhenna
Xxx

Join me for a Mini Doodleicious Exploration

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE!! Starts 01 February
After the success of this Mini Exploration last year - I'm running it again!

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Can Doodling Change You Life?

Yes, I think it can. 

Doodling isn't a dirty word or a waste of time as mounting research shows how beneficial it actually is for us. From helping us to relax and reduce stress to being more focused and retain more information by improving memory. Bet you weren't expecting that were you!?

I’d say that’s pretty darn cool and useful – wouldn't you? And even if you aren't a doodler –it’s never too late to start. 

I've been taking my doodles to the next level and using them specifically to gain insights into challenges I’m facing by using a technique I've created and developed which really gets right to my subconscious mind – totally bypassing my mind chatter. It's helped me on so many levels and I'd now like to share this with you. See it as a tool you can add to your well-being toolkit.

I also use it as a form of mediation as it really helps me to totally relax and to relieve pressure. 

I also find with my doodling technique a story unfolds. I've been using this particular doodling technique for a while now and I guess you could call it Intuitive Doodling.

The NEXT Mini Doodleicious Course starts on 01 February. Would love to have you join me!

The 14 day in-depth experience and greater personal insights is £18. 
Your ticket includes a tree planted for you in the Calidonian Forest with the charity Trees for Life.




WOW that's very reasonable? How come? 

I want this to be as accessible to as many people as possible as a tool you can add to your wellbeing toolkit. You also get the added joy of knowing a tree is being planted for you. You'll receive a certificate at the end of the exploration!

By signing up I’ll share my personal technique with you and for 14 days you’ll receive a daily prompt sent directly to your inbox. 

Please Note:

I’ll only run this if a minimum of 25 lovely folks sign up – so do share with your friends and anyone else you think could benefit from taking this mini doodleicious exploration!!!

There will also be a private facebook group so you'll have a safe place to share your daily doodles as well as what you learn about yourself and insights as the exploration unfolds.  Sound good?

Starts 01 FEBRUARY and as the title suggests as these are doodles – they are meant to be done freely and can be as fast or as slow as you would like. 

Want to discover how doodling can help you?

YES I want to go on a mini doodleicious exploration! 







Here’s an interesting article about the power of doodling

Love and creative doodles

Morwhenna
Xx

Skinny Dipping by Moonlight

I've done it. I have been skinny dipping. How on earth I missed out on doing this sooner I don’t know.

Another tick off the 40/40 Project List! No.7 to be exact.

And I did it somewhere rather special.

At The Mermaid Pool on Burgh Island.

During my Burgh Island Birthday I seized the opportunity to start my year of being 40 stark naked swimming around in the sea. It was warmer than I expected! *thankful face*

We waited until a few minutes to midnight and then slipped upstairs to our room to change in to some black ‘stealth’ clothing. Needn’t have bothered though as on our way out through the hotel doors we bumped in to a few of the couples we’d met earlier that day having a smoke.

"Where are you off to" they inquired..

"For a swim" I replied

"So you’re really going to do it then? Skinny Dip"

"Yup."

They laughed and wished us luck.

We put the torch on and started to make our way down to the Mermaid pool. You can see the pool from the hotel but I hoped as it was dark no one would see much at all…

However, the pool was lit up with a green light.

Eek. I’d not expected that.

Not to worry though as the lights went out as soon as we started to make our way slowly down the gravel slope to the waters edge.

It was still, quiet and dark.

Evidence. One of the more decent photos!

I whipped off my clothes and paddled in.

It wasn't too bad.

Mr CA waited on the shore…

I came out again as my imagination started up and I could 'see' it being full of fish and mystical creatures....

I knew there was nothing in there to harm me, so back in I went and this time – full submersion...

I didn't squeal as it was actually rather warm! Wow!

I swam around and really enjoyed the experience. It felt rather naughty.

Mr CA still stayed on the shore. He wasn't tempted one jot to jump in and join me! Can't think why...!

When I felt I’d had enough I made my way out of the pool and dried myself.

Mission Completed!

We wrapped up and made the way back up to the bar.

The couples we’d seen on our way out were waiting for us!

"Did you do it??" They asked

"YES" I said jumping about and punching my fist in the air! Not sure if that was appropriate behaviour for a 1930s lady...but what the heck.

A huge cheer erupted followed by a round of applause. 

It felt wonderful as I hadn’t been expecting this at all.

I wanted to get changed back in to my evening gown and then celebrate with a cocktail. So that’s what we did.

Returning to the bar – the new friends waiting for us had got me a ‘cake’ with a birthday candle (It was actually a piece of bread!) and then sang happy birthday to me. It was FABULOUS and a great way to officially start my year of being 40.

When was the last time you went for a skinny dip?

This certainly won’t be the last time for me!

Here's how the Mermaid Pool looks in daylight. Such a beautiful place.