Hi. It’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me.
If you’ve ever opened your Notes app only to find 43 half-finished grocery lists, one mysterious entry that just says “MARKERS??,” and a voice memo of yourself singing a to-do list in a British accent at 1:47AM—hi, welcome. You’re in the right place.
Somewhere between trying to be “that girl” and just surviving off iced coffee and vibes, I realized: I needed a system. But not like… a system system. I needed something low-pressure, zero-judgment, and preferably cute enough to make my inner child throw glitter.
So I made these color-in doodle notepads. Not because I’m a productivity expert (lol), but because my brain refuses to use a planner past the second week in January, and the only way I’ll remember a brilliant idea is if I write it down in colorful ink. These notepads are part to-do list, part coloring sheet, and part serotonin booster—basically, my version of self-care that doesn’t require a yoga membership or downloading Notion for the seventh time.
What Even Is a Color-In Doodle Notepad?
Okay, picture this: you're staring at your usual notepad, trying to make sense of your life. It's boring. It's blank. It’s judging you.
Now picture this—a page framed with the cutest black-and-white doodles, just begging to be colored in while you jot down your to-dos, brain dumps, passive-aggressive reminders to drink water, and whatever else is floating around in your frontal lobe. Boom: dopamine.
These notepads are like if a coloring book, your planner, and your favorite group chat had a baby. There are currently four designs, and yes, choosing between them is basically a personality test:
- Cute Doodles – For the chaotic neutral who just wants a lil bit of everything.
- Dog Doodles – For the person who’d rather cancel plans than leave their corgi.
- Book Doodles – For romanticizing your to-do list between re-reading Fourth Wing and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
- Eras Doodles– For Swifties trying to track their goals and Easter eggs with one pen. (Because organization hits different when it’s Reputation-coded.)
They’re cute. They’re functional. They’re low-key the only reason I know what day it is.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Notepad
I’ve tried it all. Bullet journals. Digital planners. Productivity apps that sent me so many notifications that it made me less productive than I already was. Spoiler: I deleted them after forgetting about them and then being reminded by a subscription charge.
But these color-in doodle notepads? They’re different. They don’t judge. They don’t send push notifications. They don’t gaslight you with streaks. They just… exist. Quietly. Lovingly. Waiting to be scribbled on.
They’re ADHD- and anxiety-friendly, aka they let your brain be your brain. You can color when you're stressed. Doodle when you’re blocked. Brain dump at 2AM. No rules. No pressure. Just vibes.
These notepads are:
- A sensory break without needing a weighted blanket
- A small joy that feels productive and playful
- A secret weapon for getting things done without faking “being organized”
Whether you're neurodivergent, creatively overstimulated, or just vibe better with markers than spreadsheets—these pages get you.
How People Actually Use Them (aka 100% Sanctioned Doodle Chaos)
There’s no wrong way to use a color-in notepad, but here’s how some MangoIllustrated besties make the most of them:
- The “I Swear I’m Being Productive” Brain Dump
- The "My Life is a Pinterest Board" Daily Plan
- The “I’m Not Journaling, I’m Just Scribbling My Feelings” Page
- The Gift That Says “I See You, Chaos Queen”
These notepads aren’t about forcing productivity—they’re about turning organization into a creative act. Add some color, make a mess, and feel semi-together.
Just a Little Doodle Away from Feeling Kinda Put Together
I’m not saying a notepad can fix your whole life—but I am saying there’s something deeply satisfying about checking off a task while coloring a tiny doodle dog.
These color-in doodle notepads were made for the in-between moments—the brain fog breaks, the creative sparks, the “what was I doing again?” hours. They’re for gifting, for keeping, and for romanticizing the very act of being kind-of-functional.
I’d love to know: how would you use yours? Do you color first or after the list? Are you a doodler, a scribbler, or a full-page manifest-er? Drop a comment or DM me—bonus points if it’s written in gel pen.
All the best,
Katie