Hi! I found this post I wrote a while back, never posted it, and so I will share it with you now, as it has been a very long time that I have talked… All my life I have been a worrier, you know…the “what ifs?”. Many times I have worried to the point of making myself sick or I’ll have a rip roaring panic attack. And depending where I am at the time, I would avoid going to those places again. At one point in my life, all the doors closed in on me and the only safe place was my home…for 4 long years! Eventually I discovered there was a name for this, it’s called Agoraphobia, an anxiety/panic disorder, which I have had all my life. In Latin it is referred to as “the fear of the market place”. Eventually I got help, which turned my life around. But I still have all the “what ifs? and negative chatter” which are ingrained in my head and sometimes still stops me from doing things or makes it very difficult.
I was first drawn to Zentangle® by the beautiful and intricate and creative abstract black and white art. And then I read, “anyone can do it!”. I didn’t believe it because I can’t draw, but I thought I’d try it, and I did it, AND it was unbelievable! I knew from that moment that I wanted to become a CZT and teach it. Zentangle has brought me so much peace and has helped with my anxiety, depression, pain, and the “what ifs and chatter” in my head. The Zentangle® Method™ is all about teaching you how to relax and focusing on drawing structured patterns (tangles). It is a stress reliever by distracting your mind so you can just live “in the moment” (mindfulness). It is the “process” I enjoy and the art is a benefit. The Zentangle® Method™ has taught me to enjoy & appreciate life and to trust my intuition, knowing that it always turns out OK.
Finding Zentangle and becoming a CZT has given my life purpose and has gotten me out of the house and back to teaching and living again (I LOVE teaching!). I have made many wonderful friends around the world and I’m so grateful! My mind now is occupied with beautiful Zentangle art and patterns I see everywhere and I’m constantly thinking of new ideas, projects, and classes!
Some of the Benefits of the Zentangle® Method™:
- Stress Reliever and Promotes Relaxation
- Decreases Anxiety, Panic Attacks, and Depression
- Pain Management
- Problem Solving
- Physical and Emotional Therapies
- Focus and Concentration
- Mindfulness-“living in the moment”
- Fine Motor Skills
- Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Personal Well-Being
- Working with Children and the Elderly
- PTSD
- Recovery Programs
- Positive Group Dynamics
- NO Art Experience Required!
- Is a break from Technology!
- Opens the Mind to Creativity, Imagination, and Intuition!
- Practicing Zentangle will help you “Release your Inner Artist” – even if you think you don’t have one!
- Anyone can do it! Give it a try! You only need a piece of paper, pen, and pencil!
❤️ Donna
Tangle Alaska Blog 