I remember the moment so distinctly: I was sitting at work, getting ready to listen to an all-company presentation. I was giddy. And no, definitely not over the hour-long meeting of finance updates and trend graphs I was about to endure. I was giddy because I finally realized what I wanted to do with the year 2017. 2017 was the year I was going to start a doodle Instagram account, and use it as my daily diary documenting simple everyday life and funny problems encountered. I had been struggling with getting into the swing of "adulthood" after graduating from college a few years prior and had been searching for something more ever since. I was longing for a creative outlet, one that could help me express my struggles, my wins, my... well, everything. An Instagram account seemed like the perfect way to hold me accountable for drawing every day, and it held a special place in my heart because it's where I found the artist who inspired me to embrace simple doodling: Mari Andrew.
So, I rummaged around my apartment for some old colored pencils and markers and purchased a small $10 sketchbook. I excitingly drew 10 little (and very bad, now that I look back at them...) doodles I had thought up out of the excitement of starting a new project. I snapped some very bad pictures of those funny doodles in some very bad light, and voila: uploaded them to my new Instagram account Decade2Doodles.
I posted a small drawing a day every day for over a year and found so much joy in doing so. Decade2Doodles helped me grow and express myself in a way I had never expected. And, best of all, it introduced me to a whole lot of wonderful people out there, all feeling and sharing and hoping and living just like me.
Decade2Doodles taught me that you don't have to be perfect to start something or be understood. It's also taught me that change can be exciting, no matter which stages it's at - whether it's the decision to start a project or the decision to switch it up! I recently went digital with my drawing ideas, which has been a fun change of pace and makes me feel like I'm still learning and growing as an artist.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share my creative ideas with so many people, and I smile looking back through my cool drawings as I remember the different life moments I've had over the past few years I've been drawing (one of them being getting engaged to my fiancé, who has affectionately been called "Doodle Boy" by my followers, and proposed to me by drawing a doodle! Check out my Instagram stories for that fun day). All of this is to say: for anyone looking to take a creative leap of faith - do it. It will always be worth it for the most important person out there: you. And maybe some others along the way, too!
More info: Instagram | decade2doodles.com
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Clothing Mishaps
What You Know
Like Chutes And Ladders
Heart Evolution
Wanna Bet?!?
Animals Of The Week
Aaand I Have None Of These Things
I don't think I've ever worn matching underwear in my life except when I've accidentally worn a black bra and panties, because most of my bras are black
Load More Replies...ahhh the brief illusion you're done with laundry... I don't care about the basket.
The only reason I have 'matching' anything, is that all my socks, undies and bras are black. Helps with the 'lost' sock problem too.
Not gonna lie, was about to reply "ew ya nasty!" bc I first thought it said you haven't had clean laundry in months hahah sorry and glad I read it again before typing that!
Load More Replies...Not All Growth Looks The Same
Friendly Reminder That Loneliness Or Struggle Doesn’t Always “Look Like” What You’d Think
Missing You
Sometimes You Use Your Cape For Superhero Things, And Sometimes You Just Want To Use Your Cape As A Blanket. And That’s Okay
We All Have Nights Where We Tell Ourselves We’ll Be Better In The Morning
Bright
Tip Of My Tongue
*Three Days Later* *Middle of the night* *Startles awake suddenly* THATS what their name was(~m~)//
A Hard Thing To Do
Not A Crybaby, But A (Go Ahead And) Cry, Baby
Sundays Are For Sweatpants And Little Movement
Mountains That We Climb
Wow
These Can Be Tough, But So Can We
Bug Bites
"Goodnight Room, Goodnight Moon, Goodnight Cow Jumping Over The Moon"
Sometimes
Cookie Monster
How It Was
We’ll Cross That Bridge When We Get There...
if you need to decide wheter to stay or go, its a sign that you must, indeed, go.
Treat Yourself Like You’re Your Best Friend
@Aine - I have to agree, vaguely, but with a few key exceptions: (1) Do you truly deserve what you tell yourself? and (2) If realizing your flaws will inspire you to change yourself and grow as a person, then it can be productive but if you only have the intent of putting yourself down then that's not acceptable.
Some Days
Also: Anywhere, Really
Dealing With Stress
Very Thankful My Dad And I Are No Longer In The Pit Of Despair
My grandmother always said that kids go around the dark side of the moon, but eventually they return to the light, it just takes time and patience on the parents part.
100%
My Mom Does This Adorable Thing Where She Calls Inedible Things Yummy -- And These 4 Things Are Definitely High On My List Of Yummy
Yesterday I Had A Droopy Sunflower Day. Hoping Today Is A Tall Sunflower One
Rookie Mistake: Not Putting Your Hair Up Beforehand
Take It Off!
The Struggle That Defines My Summer
Going Back To Work Feels Like A Cramp In All Of These Places
Let's Be Honest With Ourselves. We Always Come Back To It. Always
Surprise!
Some All-The-Time, General Thoughts But Also Some Very This-Week, Specific Ones
Closing A Chapter Doesn’t Mean The Story Is Over
Particularly Dramatic
Grass That Is Greener
There Aren’t Many People Out There Who Know “Why” You Are
Sigh. Why Am I Like This
There’s A Difference
Friends
Greetings, Earthling, Please See Attached
How Beautiful We Are Alone, But How Gorgeous We Are Together
Which Paths Do You Choose?
Dad
Feet That We Put Down
Space Doesn’t Always Need To Be Filled With Sound
You Make Me Bloom
Love Is Love And I Love Cake
Bite The Bullet
Don’t Judge
Classic Love Stories
Digital Drop
Don't Look At Me!
Your Groove
Special Friendship
It's the same for a relationship. There is my life, his life and our life and in the best case all three fit together
But That's Where The Ice Cream Is!
Nuts
It’s Just A Little White Lie!
Here's To Finding A Way Back To Level Ground
I really enjoyed this! Could relate to pretty much all of them! : ) Great job!!
....and those things are the same no matter where you come from...
I really enjoyed this! Could relate to pretty much all of them! : ) Great job!!
....and those things are the same no matter where you come from...