Any Napoleon Dynamites here? To this day I can't keep from doodling/drawing during meetings or even if I'm on the phone for a long time. The stuff I draw is pretty silly, like 3-d boxes around words and 'bridges' between lines on the paper.

I used to love drawing as a hobby as a teenager, but don't do it much anymore. When I was in school I went through tons of paper because I'd constantly draw so much stuff that I'd have to keep turning the page to hide it.

Even today on my desk there are all kinds of things with drawn brackets and boxes around them and of course the 3-d box around a word with a shadow.

My family can tell when I've been on the phone, I mean on the phone and put on hold ;)

I've always been a doodler - in high school and college I never wanted to loan anyone my lecture notes because they were so marked up. And not necessarily even with embarrassing stuff like I "heart" so-and-so - they were just so messy!

And even in my professional life I've been told that it looks like I'm not paying attention in meetings, etc. (and, of course, sometimes I'm not) but more often that's the only way I CAN focus on what's being said.

If I have to sit in a meeting and JUST listen, my mind goes in 47 different directions and I don't process a thing that's being said. The more I look like I'm paying attention to something, the less likely it is that I am. It's like I'm focusing so hard on paying attention that I lose track of the actual words.

But if I'm subconsciously doodling, it allows my mind to focus on what I'm hearing. Seems paradoxical, but that's how it works for me! (Graph paper is awesome for doodling, by the way!)

Oh and I totally do the 3-D shapes and boxes, and random words that are said, and hearts and flowers - pretty much the whole gamut. I also absolutely must check off items if there's a list or agenda of any kind. I'm literally unable to not to - I have to have visual evidence of where we are, and what has been finished. Of course, being ADD, I usually check off a topic as soon as it starts, then get wildly impatient (inside) that it's not being wrapped up quckly enough!!!

I could swear you spy on me at work and you're just using this thread to make fun of me :P

The 3-D box around words is my specialty.
So is the repeating geometric patterns and the "billiard balls".
I also draw tornadoes, figure 8s and pinwheel-looking thingies.

Of course, being ADD, I usually check off a topic as soon as it starts, then get wildly impatient (inside) that it's not being wrapped up quckly enough!!!
HA, I do that kind of thing all the time. I also check stuff off my to-do list before it's completely done, and then stress that I've not completed that item yet, so I can't check off anything else.

Doodling is one of my favorite ways of listening. I can't listen unless I'm doodling or reading something unrelated concurrently. Very few speakers as in ZERO appreciate it.

I'm guilty of this crime as charged....lol

I remember in lower school, they used to make us take these standardized tests wher ewe had to fill in the bubbles--I never got past ten questions, because I'd start doodleing--making a solar system around the circles I'd black out.....got better at focusing on my tests as I got older, though--

I still write list I'll never stick to...lol, I still draw stick men, I still write senseless writing.....I've ALWAYS been like this...lol

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, I can’t believe someone else does this too. I doodle all the time! I can’t not do it.

During meetings, when I’m on the phone, in lectures, you name it. if I have a pen in my hand, I can’t help myself.

I really think it helps me concentrate. I think my brain prefers to do more than one thing at once, so if I make it draw, I can usually concentrate on what the speakers saying without getting distracted. It’s almost like I create a distraction for myself so I don’t get further districted.

Hehe weird.

I like to draw my name in all sorts of styles esp block letters. I also like to draw grids and colour in every second square so it looks like a chess board. lightening bolts are another thing I like to draw. Ribbons that swirl and twist is another thing I like to doodle. I also like to colour in the white bits of letters on any flyers or handouts I get. I also like to practice drawing perfect circles. Basically any pattern that has some sort of uniformity about it I like to draw.

When I was younger, I never had tv so I used to photocopy calvin & hobbes comics and spend enormous time tracing them, and colouring them in. (I traced them because I hated my attempts at drawing because they were imperfect) I loved doing this when I was younger, but I don’t do it any more coz I have a tv.

I enjoy calligraphy too and have taken classes. The only problem is I’m such a perfectionist, I have never actually finished a piece. I usually make one small mistake and start again. I had the problem of making a mistake and starting over when I was at school too. I’d start a project and make a mistake half way through and chuck the whole thing away and start again. I’m talking about the illustrations here, not the writing content. I spent 99% of the time on the illustrations and 1% on the writing content.
Better go, I’m meant to be writing a report. (YAWN)

-Julia

I really think it helps me concentrate. I think my brain prefers to do more than one thing at once, so if I make it draw, I can usually concentrate on what the speakers saying without getting distracted. It’s almost like I create a distraction for myself so I don’t get further districted.

-Julia
I find that I do the same exact thing. Sometimes it's drawing, or maybe clay, just something to keep me occupied, especially if I can't get up and walk around. Maybe it's just "Attentional Art" :cool: I don't know, but it is so much a part of who I am.

There's a wonderful book that addresses this very topic, Fidget to Focus, by Roland Rotz and Saah Wright.

It made the whole idea of fidgeting in order to focus better really make sense. It also offers a variety of ideas. Pretty good.

be well,
tristan:cool:

I really think it helps me concentrate. I think my brain prefers to do more than one thing at once, so if I make it draw, I can usually concentrate on what the speakers saying without getting distracted. It’s almost like I create a distraction for myself so I don’t get further districted.

-Julia
I am also a doodler and always have been. Used to wonder why now I just don't think about it anymore it's just automatic any time I pick up a pen or pencil I just can't help it. I really like the way you put it above. I completely agree.:D

I was and occasionally am a big-time doodler. I now take notes whenever I am listening to a speaker so I can channel my "doodling energy" in a more productive way. It's silly that I am outlining something I will never use again, but it helps me pay attention and retain more of what I hear.