In times of boredom, we resort to sketching in the margins of our notes, agendas or handouts. But what do these doodles mean? What do they say about us?
Studies have shown that a person’s doodles can be highly indicative of his or her personality.
Repeated marks or images imply precision and patience, whereas wavy lines or random marks tend to suggest a more energetic or impatient personality.
The amount of pressure on paper when doodling is also used to judge personality.
Dark marks point to stubborn, strong personalities; medium marks usually demonstrate confidence and balance, and light marks are indicative of a sensitive, open- minded person.
According to academic specialists Ms. Rose Steeber and Mr. James Tur, recent studies show that doodling has been connected to an increase in focus due to the firing of neurons when the hand is in motion.
However, there is a fine line between doodling as a concentration aid for focus and when it becomes a distraction. Finding the balance between the two is key to maximizing one’s attention.
