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A No Mistakes Philosophy...On And Off The Tile.

A No Mistakes Philosophy...On And Off The Tile.

Molly writes...

When someone asks me about the Zentangle Method, a few things come to mind. I usually talk about how it is a step by step approach to pattern drawing and then, depending on who I am talking to or what the circumstances are, I talk about some of the philosophy behind the method. Practicing Zentangle is the best way to understand these philosophies. I think every artist that practices Zentangle brings their own interpretation to its definition and that adds to the overall meaning. One of the most valuable and important aspects of the Zentangle philosophy for me is the “No Mistakes” philosophy. It took me years to understand fully what that meant for my practice. When we say there are no mistake in Zentangle, it is not intended to mean that there will never be an unintended stroke, spill, rip or a just plan “ugh”. What we mean is that when it does happen our reaction is not to react with disappointment, anger, or discouragement but rather to embrace it and see it as an opportunity.

This is a major shift in perspective that requires courage and trust. Once you trust and welcome that every stroke on your tile has purpose, beauty, and potential, you start to see your work differently. This can be hard at first. How can you say that what clearly appears to be a mess as potential beauty?

Well, sometimes, it takes time away from the work, sometimes it takes creative ideas for change and sometimes it takes a decision to go in a new direction. Once you open up your mind to this viewpoint you will also notice a new creative flow state. A creative flow state can only be achieved if there is nothing in its way. When an artist gets stuck on perfection, distracted by things that come out not as expected or if one places expectations on themselves that are so specific, you narrow down your success of finding a flow state in your creative process.

However, when you approach your work with openness and welcome all parts of your creative process, you start to understand their purpose and role in the bigger picture. If you believe that each stroke of your pen or mark of your pencil plays a role in all the marks that follow you start to see them differently. You see opportunity and potential. You learn to trust the creative process and embrace the humanness that makes it special. You can start to embrace how this new perspective allows you to focus on the present and then pushes you forward to the next step. Once you implement the “No Mistakes” philosophy in your artistic process you might start to see and feel it trickling into other parts of your life.

Today, we find ourselves in days of “uncertainty”. While this might be true, and this might be part of our reality, what if we took this opportunity to focus on some of the beautiful things that are emerging and all that we are grateful for. I, for one have found gratitude in the extra time at home. I have particularly enjoyed the extra snuggles with my children, discovering a new trail in the woods, spending extra time around the dinner table, working on a jigsaw puzzle, watching a movie, and drawing. I am also finding gratitude in just stopping to take a huge metaphorical breath. Sometimes the world seems to be moving so quickly, and there is so much focus on what is next that we forget to focus on where we are. These past few days, I have appreciated not having any plans. I believe and know that we will eventually return to our busy lives, but as for today I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to rest and recharge. I am trying to take note of how powerful this feeling is. I am feeling grateful for this opportunity to just take a break from it all … and knowing that I am not alone doing it. This experience will change a lot of things for a lot of people, and although there will be difficulties and challenges, there will no doubt will be beautiful things too. There will be discovery, renewal, and awesomeness …. You just have to look for it.

Updated: May 13, 2022...

It is no coincidence that many of the blogs that we are revisiting during Mental Health Awareness Month were written in the Spring of 2020. This was a time when we all were realizing just how important our mental health was. Molly's words from two years ago ring just as true today as they did then.

Updated: April 16, 2024...

One of the great things about celebrating Zentangle's 20th Anniversary is many times, we have already found the right words to say what we want to say, which is why we will be revisiting more of our older blogs this month. But, make no mistake, these thoughts are anything but outdated.

Molly Hollibaugh

211 comments

  • This concept is one of the most important life lessons I have ever learned and I thank you for your dogged emphasis.

    Kathy Y. on

  • Many years ago I had a major breakdown. I was diagnozed with deoression and high sensitivity and during the treatment we learnt that I suffered from that since puberty. I started to express myself in different creative art and so I found Zentangle in 2017. It helps me to releave atress and helos me focus. The no mistake mentality is perfect for my mentall health.

    Mariska Zevenbergen CZT on

  • No mistakes- what a freeing philosophy! I’ve been tangling for about a year now and I still struggle with this. Sometimes it’s my present mindset and sometimes it’s the tangle that either lets me roll with my ‘mistake’ or not! I was drawing last night and made an oops- was able to turn it into a heart shape and boy did that feel good! Do I use a pencil- yes, once in a while, but it’s not my main tool(except for shading)! Do I embrace my mistakes- it’s a work in progress, but that’s what life is all about!

    Kim Noppenberger on

  • For the past 35 years I have been living with mental illness. Watching my mother when I was able to understand, she had severe mental illness and refused help. Back then she was just happy to take her Valium that the doctors kept on prescribing to her. My grandma mostly came over and took care of us kids. Once I was was older and knew it had a name, I got help. I was on and off again for 35 years of struggling with this. I was so afraid to tell anyone. Finally I made the decision to admit myself to the hospital. I learned many skills in there for my “tool box”. I started to sign up for library programs and one that captured my eye was Zentangle. I went to the classes and felt so good with something to focus on and be mindful that I made some beautiful tiles. Zentangle is a beautiful, wonderful concept of beautiful tiles you can make, if I can do it anyone can. Try Zentangle you will fall in love, and there are no mistakes.Thanks for all you do.

    Sharon D on

  • The no mistakes philosophy is part of what drew me to Zentangle (no pun intended 😉). I am a bit of a perfectionist yet my art is never what I would call perfect – or even near that. Permission to not be perfect and to just be me is so comforting and eases the pressure. I can try and then try again and learn from what I’d like to improve. I love the idea that there’s no wrong, just different and that our practice evolves…with practice. Going with the flow and rolling with the unexpected is freeing. A metaphor for life and art.

    Carrie Luckwell on

  • Dear Molly, since I was blessed to became a CZT I have been using the “no mistakes” philosophy in my entire life. Friends and family think I am crazy when I tell them that there is no mistakes and all is just perfect. I have been spreading the same “no mistakes” seeds to all my adults and children students. The kids absolutely love it! We are not allowed to say the “m” word in class! It becomes like a game! Mistakes is just an opportunity to create something beautiful. Thank you for all the love, Annie Rocha

    Annie Rocha on

  • A wonderful and inspiring reminder of “no mistakes” so good to hear often. I’m grateful to have Zentangle in my life for so many reasons.

    Dennie York-czt9 on

  • Hello:

    I have been living with m

    Sharon Dunlap on

  • I love the “NO MISTAKES” philosophy. Making the most of every situation, or looking for the positive in even the most difficult circumstances is an integral part of my life. When my dad had Alzheimers and didn’t remember many of the things that were a basic part of his life, we were still able to laugh at the small things and enjoy the person he currently was. Mistakes in all aspects of our lives require patience with ourselves and maybe some changes in perspective as well as direction for our lives. Thanks for all you do to help us remember the good can be found, even in mistakes.

    Laurie Earl on

  • Tangling is my anxiety medication

    MLS on

  • The no mistakes idea is so freeing. When I tell other about zentangle I share that each of us has a journey and it is our own, and should not be like others. It is something that we all perhaps need to remind ourselves. Thank you for reminding us that our journeys are unique and never a mistake.

    Gem on

  • I’m still having a really hard time with this. Almost all of my “work” is on bits of scrap paper and cheap office index cards out of not wanting to waste my nice tiles. I’ll have to try harder to embrace this philosophy.

    Donna on

  • I was raised and educated in the spirit of sincerity and acknowledging my own mistakes just for the simple fact that my parents always told me that “There is no mistake!”, but just a simple wandering from the original path and that… if our steps are stumbled, it means that the path can be unsafe, too, not only us … Perseverance is the “key” and the good done continuously. This way, we can never go wrong!

    This simple philosophy of “No mistakes!”… it certainly makes us better, more patient and more at peace with this beautiful but short story called LIFE.
    Thank you so much for edyifing this beautiful part of our life journey: Zentangle!

    ANA VIRLAN on

  • I have grown to really love the “No Mistakes” mantra. Zentangle is a blessed release from the struggle to get everything right! The best thing about a line you think went wrong is that it disappears in the pattern, or creates a surprising new variation that you will probably keep using!

    Catherine Gisby on

  • Zentangle has helped me with my depression and anxiety – to slow down and breathe, and the no mistakes takes this one step further – not just with my tangling but with myself, to be able to do things and not worry about perfection, which often holds me back. Thank you.

    Also, I don’t know if the contest is limited to the US or not, but in case it is, I’m from Canada.

    Jo Kaufhold on

  • “No Mistakes” is a worthy mantra when diving into our art and a constant goal of mine. It’s a challenge. When faced with a blank tile, I sometimes struggle to find where I want to start because I’m trying to see the finished piece rather than enjoying the journey. I find the best inspiration in the work of others.

    R Stone on

  • I resonate with the no mistakes concept as a disabled individual who has seen great change in physical abilities, that also moves into art as joint issues greatly affect the ability to get what is in your head into paper… mind is willing… body fails, lol. My only wish is that the instruction manuals and kits were not so costly. As a disabled person who cannot work and does not receive any assistance, it becomes difficult to follow Zentangle and not just piece mail what is online and make my own kit so to speak… just a thought that you may consider as this is a helpful tool for mental health as well, if a bit unapproachable to many of us cost wise.

    Felicia on

  • When I first started my Zentangle journey I was a bit of a perfectionist. After hearing this message enough, it has finally sunk in and I love being able to share my experiences with elementary students and watching them let go and just create! It’s a beautiful thing when we let go of the need to be perfect and just let things happen. The students are always amazed at what they can create, and so proud of themselves! Best life lesson I could share with them :)

    Valerie Bradford on

  • As insightful and appropriate Molly’s words were then, they are now. Here in Tennessee we mourn the tragic suicide of Naomi Judd and feel for what that family is experiencing. “No mistakes” is such a powerful mantra and gives one that second chance. Thank you for giving us a way to embrace our “do overs.”

    Christine Clark on

  • Thank you Molly for these inspiring words. The No Mistakes philosophy is what caught me definitely into Zentangle. Further to our recent meet in Newport for the CZT38 seminar, my feelings have even strengthened around this. I will soon start my teachings and am really looking forward to share this vision with my students ! Thank you 🙏

    Laurence on

  • It’s never a mistake but always an opportunity to learn or change direction. Love the “no mistakes” philosophy. I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now having attended CZT #38 and watched as Rick went in the wrong direction with a stepout. I was in awe of of how quickly he recovered and moved on and what Maria did with the tile, without words and very elegantly. It was a wonderful moment experiencing…“No Mistakes”.

    Michele Kutta on

  • Wonderful post then and now. No mistakes, only opportunities.

    Opportunities that Zentangle has brought into my life.

    Kate Ahrens on

  • I really appreciate Zentangle and “no mistakes.” It is teaching me to focus on the process and not be so hard on myself. This really came to light recently when I was scrolling through my camera roll on my phone and an image of a tangle caught my eye. It was elegant. I took the time to study it, assuming I captured it from a blog or insta post …. and then realized, it was mine. I drew it! I created that image that stopped my scrolling. Thank you Zentangle family for all the support!

    Jane Lawler Smith on

  • Thank you, Molly, for an in-depth analysis of the No-Mistakes philosophy in life and art. It’s easy to forget this when the pen slips, the fingers tremble, or an arc or line crosses another line that my mind said was not supposed to happen.

    As I write this note, I am trying to remember how I discovered Zentangle and you fine folks. But I guess it doesn’t matter now. What does matter is how this community of creators, artists, and humble folks have bonded together ACROSS THE WORLD. I’m very glad to have stumbled in and found a place to sit at the table.

    Christine Jackson on

  • I think that the "no mistakes’ nomenclature and slogan is one of my favorite—of course amongst other things—about Zentangle! I always tell my students how their artwork doesn’t have to be perfect or “look like” either my image or an image from a book, but is truly their own inspiration and work showing through. I used to be such a perfectionist and even now, I must catch myself at NOT comparing my own artwork and Zentangle work to that of others as it is unique and all mine. That is what I truly love about the “no mistakes” mentality is that it is a tribute to individualism at it’s finest! Thank you Rick, Maria, Molly and Martha for making this such a daily part of my life. I will be forever grateful. With love and gratitude. Melissa

    Melissa Dare on

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