What if I told you that a pen and a piece of paper could help you achieve a state of calm in just minutes?
It’s true. I’m talking about zentangling, and it’s not as hard as it sounds. It’s like doodling, but with a bit of structure.
A monk, Rick Roberts, and an artist, Maria Thomas, invented the method.
Zen comes from the peaceful feeling it invokes, and a tangle is Maria’s name for the things you draw.
Creating zentangles brings peace and calm to your mind. You quickly get absorbed in what you’re doing and relax. And there’s no artistic skill needed.
While Rick and Maria have a set method of doing it, it’s really up to you.
The beauty of zentangling is that you’re not trying to draw anything — it’s all a series of lines, dots, and circles.
You divide your paper into sections using any shape or line you want: straight, wavy, or even circles. Then you draw a repeating pattern inside each shape. It’s best to start with a small piece of paper; traditional zentangles use a 3.5″ square.
It’s not a piece of art that you’re trying to finish; it’s more about the process than the result.
The beauty of a small piece of paper is that it’s portable; you can take it with you and work on it whenever you need to.
I’ve been drawing zentangles for a few weeks now. It’s a peaceful, mindless practice, and I’m often surprised by how much time has passed. I highly recommend it!
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