Let me be the first to say: I am not a great artist. I have sold paintings, and illustrated a children’s book, but I’ve never had anyone stop me mid-doodle to say, “Wow, you’re just like Monet… but funnier.”
But I am very good at needing a break.
Living alongside Lewy Body Dementia and Capgras Syndrome means that peace can feel like a rare species — like a butterfly you spot once and whisper to so it doesn’t fly away. When the days get wobbly and my husband’s mind takes a spin around the moon (and blames me for stealing his socks or something equally odd), I reach for my sketchpad.
Enter: Nora Poppins — part Mary Poppins, part tea-stained journal, part middle-aged woman doing her best not to unravel. She started as a quick scribble, a sketch of a cozy little character with a big heart and sensible shoes. I never meant for her to be a mascot or a movement — I just needed a mental breather.
Now, she’s my mascot and mood manager.
Even if I only have five minutes — that’s enough time to doodle a tiny teacup, a bird on a wire, or Nora holding a garden spade and sipping a latte. No masterpieces here, just little “sanity pieces.”
Now listen — if art’s not your jam, that’s fine. You don’t need to be a painter to take five minutes of peace and scribble out something just for you. But if you’re curious to give it a go, I’ve made a doodle-friendly printable for you. It’s a gentle nudge toward peace in pen-and-ink form. Just grab a pen and play.
✏️ Five Quick Doodle Prompts for 5-Minute Sanity Breaks:
- A cozy teacup with steam curling like a ribbon.
- Your version of a “Comfort Fairy” — whatever that looks like.
- A patch of forget-me-nots (symbol of dementia awareness!)
- A little cottage with ivy on the roof and a bird on the chimney.
- Nora Poppins sipping tea and giving the universe a knowing side-eye.
These are not assignments, dear heart. They are invitations. Scribble, sketch, mess it up, and giggle while you do it. Your nervous system will thank you.
Want a printed prompt sheet to keep by your coloring pencils or coffee mug?
I’ve whipped up a free printable called “Doodle Breaks for the Caregiver Spirit” that you can download from our Creative Breaks & Joy Sparks section of Nora’s Nook Resource Library. It’s simple, light-hearted, and meant to meet you where you are — even if where you are is hiding in the laundry room with a crayon and a granola bar.
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Your honesty about not being a “great artist” but finding solace in art is so refreshing. It’s inspiring how you use doodling as a tool to manage the chaos that comes with caregiving. I love the idea of turning something as simple as a sketchpad into a “mascot and mood manager.” The metaphor of peace as a rare butterfly really resonated with me—it’s such a vivid and relatable image. I’m curious, do you ever feel like sharing your doodles with others, even if they’re not “masterpieces”? And have you found that these little “sanity pieces” help you connect with your husband in unexpected ways? Your approach feels so genuine and relatable—it’s a reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Speaking of which, what’s the most unexpected thing you’ve ever doodled during one of those “wobbly days”?
Thank you so much for your message. My doodles these days show up here, in my blog, on the resource pages, and I’m currently working on a journal for new caregivers — a place to share their story, learn tips, and process through their journey of caregiving. Some of the unexpected things I doodle on those wobbly days are sometimes whatever is before me — we have a goldendoodle that has been doodled more times that I care to admit = )
Your approach to art and self-care is truly inspiring. It’s amazing how creativity can become a lifeline during tough times. I love the idea of “little sanity pieces” — such a beautiful way to frame those small moments of peace. Your printable sounds like such a thoughtful resource for caregivers who might feel overwhelmed. How did you first discover that doodling could help you manage those “wobbly” days? I’m curious if you’ve found that certain types of doodles or subjects are more calming than others. Also, do you think this practice could help others who aren’t caregivers but are just dealing with everyday stress? I’d love to hear more about how you’ve seen it impact people’s lives. Thanks for sharing such a heartfelt and practical idea!
Thank you so much. As the ability to create other forms of artwork lessened, doodling became more of an outlet. I doodle more often than I’d like to admit, and am learning that for me, my doodles are becoming the story — at church, instead of a “Cornell note-taking” type system, I mix doodles and words together and find that I remember the message much better, because of the visual. I think learning to express yourself visually is such an important tool — it helps you see the world differently — a little more creatively — which opens you up to being willing to try different ways of doing things.
Your honesty about not being a “great artist” is refreshing, but I think you’re selling yourself short. Art isn’t always about perfection—it’s about expression, and it sounds like your doodles are doing exactly that for you. I love how you’ve turned something as simple as sketching into a coping mechanism, especially given the challenges you face. The idea of “little sanity pieces” is so relatable—it’s amazing how small creative acts can ground us. I’m curious, though, do you ever feel pressure to create something “meaningful,” or is it purely about the process for you? Also, how did you come up with the concept of “Doodle Breaks for the Caregiver Spirit”? It’s such a thoughtful idea, and I’d love to hear more about the inspiration behind it.
Thank you for your reply. In response to your question about feeling pressure to create something “meaningful”, my hope is that my doodles now are fulfilling that purpose. I am using them in a way that I hope lightens the journey of dementia caregiving. In the past, I was a watercolor portrait artist, so I created on a totally different level. Today I don’t have the time to spend H O U R S and H O U R S on a single painting, so these quick doodles allow me to express my heart, and hopefully impact others, in a way that again lightens the journey — because dementia caregiving can be such a soul suck! It is hard. It is intense. But it is an expression of the heart.
I really admire how you’ve turned doodling into a tool for managing the stress of caregiving. It’s impressive how you find peace in those small, creative moments, even when life feels overwhelming. Your idea of “sanity pieces” instead of masterpieces is such a thoughtful and relatable approach. I wonder, have you noticed any specific benefits from these doodle breaks, like feeling calmer or more focused? Also, how did you come up with the concept of Nora as your mascot? It’s such a unique and personal touch. I’d love to hear more about how this practice has evolved for you over time. Have you ever shared your doodles with others, or is it mostly a personal escape? Finally, do you think anyone—even someone with zero artistic experience—could benefit from this approach, or does it require a certain mindset to start?
Your approach to finding peace through doodling is truly heartwarming. It’s amazing how something as simple as sketching can become a lifeline during challenging times. I’ve never thought of art as a form of self-care, but your story makes me want to give it a try. How did you first discover that doodling could help you manage stress? I’m curious if you’ve noticed any specific patterns or themes in your sketches that reflect your emotions. Your printable sounds like a wonderful resource—do you think it could work for someone who’s never picked up a pen before? Thanks for sharing such a personal and inspiring perspective!