I was talking to my husband the other day as we were trying to navigate a situation under current restrictions and he became increasingly frustrated before declaring, “I just want things to go back to normal!”
I agreed … kind of...
While yes, I do long for a sense of normalcy, I also recognize some of the silver linings that this past year has provided, and I won’t be so quick to abandon some new habits. The biggest takeaway being the way we were forced to slow down and take a break.
I have always been someone who likes to be busy and always on the go. There always seemed to be places to go and people to see. Somewhere along the line, I learned that if there was a blank space in my calendar, I needed to fill it. I felt most comfortable with a full schedule and a long to do list. Or, so I thought. What I have learned this past year is that we actually need blank spaces; in our schedules, in our minds and yes, even on our Zentangle tiles. By emptying our to do lists, we refill our cups.
Slowing down and leaving blank spaces allows us to notice things we may not have otherwise seen. It allows us to focus and grow in other areas of life and it takes away that feeling of obligation.
The same concept applies to our Zentangle art. It can be tempting to fill every inch of our tiles with wonderful and beautiful tangles, but there is something to be said for leaving a blank space.
Sometimes, a blank space allows us to grow and embellish another tangle that may have been lost otherwise.
Sometimes, a blank space relieves us of having to make a decision about what is next and enjoy the moment we are in.
Sometimes, a blank space is what makes the tile complete.
As we look forward to more promising times, I plan on taking a look at which parts of “normal” are worth returning to and where I can embrace some blank spaces.
As you pick up your pen to tangle this week, I encourage you to embrace the blank spaces both on and off your tile.
Share your Zentangle art on the Zentangle Mosaic app with the hashtag #BlankSpaces.
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Miriam Zimms on
Frieda Klotz on
Live the subject blank spaces…Very thoughtful and helpful to understand the importance of “being still”. While we can be observant of the spaces in our lives!
Layla on
Vickie L. Stamper on
Wee on
Mary Ellen Ziegler Czt33 on
Leslee on
Lisa Hoesing. CZT 14 on
Katy Kehoe on
Cleo on
Julie, thank you for your wise thoughts! I want to strive for more open spaces in all areas of my new, “normal” life.
LindaJF on
Julie Isaac on
was drawn to look up through the giant trees in front of me.. For the first time,, I realized that nature too provides us with Blank Spaces so that we can see the stunnig beauty of a cloudless morning, and the beautiful detail of the intertwined branches that create their own version of nature’s Zentangle. Thank you Julie for your inspiration to slow down, and look up!
Linda Chik on
It is the spaces between the notes
That make the music,
Without that emptiness, that silence in between,
there is no music, only noise.
You too are silent empty space at your center,
Surrounded by form.
To break through that form and discover your very creative nature
that is in the center,
You must take the time to become silent each day,
And enter that rapturous space
between your thoughts.
Ginny Stiles on
Donna G on
Ginger White CZT34 on
Thank you Julie for your insight. Just last night I tangled a Phi tile and left one of the spaces that I had set up for a border tangle blank. I thought about what it meant to me and I figured it out. It’s nice to read your blog post today which touches on this subject. Thank you.
Nancy D., CZT18 on
Elaine Novak on
Brenda Shaver Czt 8 on
Paulette Kirschensteiner on
Ruth Osborn, CZT on
Wise indeed. Thanks Julie. ❤️❤️❤️
Sandy Kelley-Jones CZT on
M.KATHLEEN on
Julie, You truly have the wisdom of an ‘old soul’ in the body of a young woman. Thank you for reminding me that some open space, on my tiles, and in my life are healthy habits.
Bette Abdu on