Founded by a 17-year-old student in the UAE, the initiative draws from her personal journey with art therapy.
Dubai student Yasmine Farra turned her personal experience with art therapy into a youth-led wellness initiative focused on stress relief and creativity.
In a city known for its fast pace, academic pressure, and nonstop ambition, 17-year-old Yasmine Farra found something unexpectedly powerful in the simple act of doodling.
What began as a personal coping mechanism during stressful periods eventually evolved into “Yoodle Doodle,” an art therapy initiative designed to help people relax, slow down, and reconnect with creativity through coloring and artistic expression.
The Lebanese student, who lives in Dubai, says her interest in psychology, mental health, and art first led her to recognize how creative activities could affect emotional well-being.
“Art became a personal form of therapy for me during stressful periods in my life. I realized that drawing and coloring helped me slow down, process emotions, and feel calmer,” Farra said.
Turning Creativity Into a Wellness Initiative
Instead of keeping that experience personal, Farra decided to transform it into something that could help others facing similar stress and pressure.
Her initiative, Yoodle Doodle, creates large A0-sized doodle rolls filled with hand-drawn illustrations and themed artistic patterns designed to encourage relaxation through coloring and creative freedom.
Unlike structured art exercises, the concept intentionally avoids rigid rules or expectations.
“The process is very open and personal. Each doodle roll contains hand-drawn illustrations and patterns, but there is no ‘correct’ way to complete it. People can color, paint, or decorate it however they want, which allows them to relax and take a break from stressful situations,” she explained.
The initiative forms part of a broader wave of youth-led projects supported through the Forward Thinking Mentoring Program under Arcadia Education in the UAE.
Inspired by Personal Experience and Research
Farra says the idea behind Yoodle Doodle grew not only from personal experience but also from studying how artistic expression can support emotional well-being.
“Many studies have shown that artistic expression, including coloring, can help reduce stress and anxiety levels. I wanted to take those benefits and make them accessible to others simply and creatively,” she said.
Living in Dubai also influenced her perspective.
As a student balancing academics, athletics, extracurricular commitments, and future planning, she became increasingly aware of how stress affects young people in highly competitive environments.
“Living in the UAE has exposed me to a very fast-paced and high-pressure environment, especially as a student balancing academics, athletics, social life, and future goals,” Farra shared.
During stressful periods involving exams, sports, or personal challenges, art gradually became part of her own emotional reset routine.
“I would dim the lights in my room, play music, and spend time coloring or doodling. It helped me feel grounded and significantly improved my mood. Through that experience, I realized how powerful art therapy can be for mental well-being.”
Balancing Student Life and Entrepreneurship
Alongside developing the initiative, Farra continues managing school responsibilities, athletics, and entrepreneurship simultaneously.
She says organization and time management have become essential.
“I think balancing being both a student and an entrepreneur really comes down to time management and organization,” she explained.
Calendars, planners, and structured scheduling have helped her divide energy between school priorities and building Yoodle Doodle.
“Sometimes there are busy periods where school comes first, and other times I dedicate more energy to Yoodle Doodle. But because I’m passionate about both, I’ve learned how to create a healthy balance between them.”
Encouraging Other Young Creators
Beyond the initiative itself, Farra hopes her journey encourages other students to pursue ideas they genuinely care about rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
“Success takes dedication, patience, and consistency. That’s why passion is so important; you need to genuinely believe in what you’re creating, because that motivation is what helps you continue even during stressful or busy periods,” she said.
She also believes hesitation prevents many young people from discovering what they are capable of building.
Some of the best learning experiences come from simply starting, making mistakes, and improving over time.”
In a world increasingly dominated by screens, pressure, and constant stimulation, Yoodle Doodle reflects something surprisingly simple yet deeply human:
Sometimes healing begins with slowing down long enough to create something by hand.
Source: Gulf News
Photo: 17-year-old Dubai-based student Yasmine Farra
Supplied
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