Let's Doodle Your Life List
Bringing your dreams to life, one line and squiggle at a time.
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“Connection takes courage—the courage to say yes when it would be easier to stay on the sidelines. When my granddaughter asked me to ride the giant slide, I hesitated at first, but I said yes. In that moment, I realized that connection is built not in comfort, but in the memories we dare to create.” — Kathy Barlow
A Quick Recap
Last week, we traveled back in time—listening for the whispers of our teenage selves. Some of those dreams may have felt far away or forgotten, and yet… something stirred.
We learned that those long-ago parts of us still have something to say—reminding us to protect our joy, to dream freely, and to live with more intention.
This week, we’re shifting from words to lines, from thinking to creating. It’s time to doodle your possibilities and let your Life List come alive on the page.
A Note from Me
This past week, I went down a giant slide with my granddaughter. There I was—letting out a big “woo-hoo-hoo!” as we flew down the slide, feeling that pure, unfiltered joy of being completely in the moment.
That slide reminded me of what happens when we let go of control and allow life to move us. It’s a lot like doodling—messy, imperfect, and full of delight.
As I worked on my own Life List this week, I looked at the doodles and realized: this is what joy looks like on paper. It’s playful, curious, and never about getting it “right.”
Our Doodling Playlist
With the help of those who joined me for our October Kitchen Table Gathering, I created a playlist of favorite teenage songs—and it’s perfect for this week’s creative practice.
Let it play softly while you doodle. The rhythm and music help bypass perfectionism and awaken flow.
Doodling Possibilities – This Week’s Practice
Lists don’t always have to be made of words—sometimes doodles, squiggles, and symbols capture our dreams even better.
You don’t need anything fancy—just a few things to spark your imagination:
A blank page or sketchbook
A few pens or markers in colors you love
A pencil or pen
Colored pencils or watercolor brush pens (optional, for adding a little joy)
A candle and a cup of tea beside you
There are four doodle invitations to choose from:
1. Dream Map
Draw a large circle in the middle of your page. Inside, write your name—or a word that represents you right now. From the circle, draw lines radiating out like sunbeams.
On each line, doodle or jot a dream, curiosity, or joy you want to bring into your life.
2. Journey Path
Sketch a winding path or river across the page. Along the way, doodle stepping stones or signposts with ideas: places to visit, things to learn, or simple joys to savor.
3. Garden of Dreams
Draw a garden bed or tree. Each flower, leaf, or fruit represents a dream or intention for your Life List. (A sunflower for joy, an apple for wisdom, a rose for love.)
4. Suitcase of Adventure
Doodle an open suitcase or treasure chest. Fill it with the things you’d love to pack or collect in this next chapter—experiences, qualities, or memories you want to hold close.
The Benefits of Doodling
It may look like “just scribbling,” but doodling holds real magic for both the mind and body:
Reduces stress and anxiety – The rhythmic, flowing motion calms your nervous system, much like meditation.
Boosts focus and creativity – Doodling helps you stay present and opens space for new ideas to surface.
Encourages self-expression – Simple lines and shapes reflect your inner landscape, even when words can’t.
Breaks perfectionism – There are no rules here—only freedom and play.
Connects mind and body – Moving your hand across the page brings your thoughts to life.
Provides a gentle pause – It’s a mini reset; a quiet moment of mindfulness between the noise.
Helps organize your thoughts – Doodling gives shape to dreams, to-do lists, and possibilities—helping reduce overwhelm.
The only rule is: there are no rules.
Give yourself full permission to let what comes to the page arrive exactly as it is.
Closing Reflection
When we doodle, we listen differently. The pen moves faster than thought, and something deeper begins to speak.
Take a moment to look at your page—messy, colorful, imperfect, alive.
This is what it means to dream with your hands.
Next week, we’ll begin to weave together all we’ve created—turning these doodles and whispers into a practice you can carry forward beyond October.
Until then, may you notice the joy in the scribbles and the beauty in the lines that don’t quite stay straight.
