doodling
Absent-minded pen marks
Doodling is drawing idly, usually while attention is elsewhere—during a phone call, a lecture, a meeting.
The drawings themselves are doodles: absent-minded sketches, shapes, or patterns in the margins of notebooks.
She filled the page with doodling while waiting on hold.
Despite its association with distraction, doodling may actually aid concentration and memory.
Unconstrained by structure
- unplannedNot arranged beforehand
- impromptuWithout advance preparation
- scribbleWrite without care
- improvisationalWithout prior preparation
instinctive · unstructured · intuitive · offhand · casual · effortless · unrehearsed · automatic
Making rough drawings
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
- artisticShowing imaginative skill
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- visual thinkingCognition through images
inventive · brainstorming · conceptual · design · ideation · illustrative · abstract · drawing
Idle mental wandering
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- boredomWeary disinterest from monotony
- distractedUnable to concentrate
- unfocusedWithout clear direction
procrastinating · absentminded · inattentive · zoning out · meandering · drifting · preoccupied · restless
Inclined toward fun
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- fancifulImaginatively unrealistic
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
- funAmusement or pleasure
silly · imaginative · charming · cartoony · fantastical · mischievous · childlike · zany
Inclined toward deep reflection
- relaxationState of being unwound
- therapeuticPromoting healing or wellness
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- stress-reliefReduction of mental tension
mindfulness · unwinding · zen · tranquil · peaceful · centering · grounding · gentle
freeform
Unconstrained by structure
improvisational · instinctive · unstructured · intuitive · offhand · casual · effortless · unrehearsed · automatic · loose
sketching
Making rough drawings
- imaginationFaculty for forming ideas
- artisticShowing imaginative skill
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
visual thinking · inventive · brainstorming · conceptual · design · ideation · illustrative · abstract · drawing · patterns
daydreaming
Idle mental wandering
- fidgetingRestless minor movements
- boredomWeary disinterest from monotony
- distractedUnable to concentrate
unfocused · procrastinating · absentminded · inattentive · zoning out · meandering · drifting · preoccupied · restless · twiddling
playful
Inclined toward fun
- quirkyIdiosyncratically unusual
- fancifulImaginatively unrealistic
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
fun · silly · imaginative · charming · cartoony · fantastical · mischievous · childlike · zany · eccentric
meditative
Inclined toward deep reflection
- relaxationState of being unwound
- therapeuticPromoting healing or wellness
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
stress-relief · mindfulness · unwinding · zen · tranquil · peaceful · centering · grounding · gentle · flow state
- boredomboredom, ennui, tedium, monotony, dullness
- casual artsketching, coloring, painting, finger painting, watercolors
- creative learningart class, music lessons, drama class, brainstorming, storytelling
- drawing basicspencil sketching, basic shapes, line drawing, shading, shading techniques
- fidgetingfidgeting, fidget, tapping, fiddle, finger tapping
- habitshabit, habits, bad habit, study habits, rituals
doodlingworking
In active function
producing · concentrating · focusing · laboring · tasking
doodlingconcentrating
Directing mental effort narrowly
focusing · paying attention · applying oneself · active listening · undivided attention