Molly writes...
As a child, I loved the story, Alice in Wonderland. It was so curious and offered many oddities. There was the perfect amount of silliness and adventure. I loved that nothing seemed to make any sense in a very normal way, of course. I have always been drawn to whimsy and imagination.
As a teenager, I continued to be drawn to the story and its whimsical art. I became more curious about the symbolism within the story and studied it and enjoyed it in a new way. As a young adult, I even traveled to Oxford, England, to walk the streets where the story originated. It was so fascinating to learn that all the different characters and their interactions had a deeper story to tell.
Of the many lessons and wisdom I became personally connected to, the story of the white rabbit is one that has stuck with me.
Alice in Wonderland is a coming-of-age tale. As she follows the white rabbit, it is reflective of her being led into the next stage of her life. She watches and follows so naively, still viewing life through the eyes of a child, but looking ahead to something different, chaotic, and curious. The rabbit and his watch represent her adulthood and our attachment to time. Alice is viewing the rabbit as he panics himself into a fury. She is curious about what he could be worried about. Alice is still viewing the world through a youthful lens, where time is simply something that just is. As children, we live free from the worry of time. As adults, we become attached to our scheduled lifestyles just the way the white rabbit is chained to his watch. We carry layers of anxiety about when we should do things and how long they should take. We are burdened by what is next, often losing sight of where we are, just like the rabbit, being so caught up in being late. We have the pressure of time coming at us from all directions.
What does this have to do with your Zentangle practice, you ask?
When we deliver tangle lessons or challenges, I always hear whispers from tanglers, venting that they are behind, or late, or not caught up. But the truth is, there are no finish lines or first place winners in Zentangle. There is no stopwatch timing you or a deadline to submit. Our lessons and challenges are not timed, and we purposely deliver them in a way that each person can do them at any time of day and take as much time to complete them as needed.
As we approach this year’s Twelve Days of Zentangle, I challenge all of you not to follow the white rabbit down his hole. I encourage you to break free from the chain and the pocket watch and tangle on your own time, at your own pace. The Twelve Days series is fun and a great way to inspire us and challenge us, but it should feel good to you.
We hope that the time you spend creating with Zentangle Method is time when you can let go of some of the pressures that surround you. We hope that your tangles can make you feel nurtured by the present, and the playful ink strokes that you put onto your tile can perhaps make you tap into something with the creative zest of a child. We encourage you to tangle when you can and for as long as it works in your world, given all that you have surrounding you in this moment. We want you to feel free from judging yourself and comparing yourself to others. Your Zentangle journey is unique to you. You are a beautiful being and a beautiful artist. The way you approach a lesson, or a tile, is in such a way that only you can do it. Trust the process and your place in it. If a lesson takes you an hour or a week, allow it to. If you don’t get to a lesson right away, then know that when you finally do, it will be the perfect time. Prioritize yourself and your practice, but don’t force it. Allow it to be as much as it can in the space that you have. And when you finally do get some time to tangle, embrace it, for as much or as little as it is. Tangle at your own pace and get lost in your own tangled world.
We are very excited about the content we have for this Project Pack, but we also realize that we have packed a lot into the twelve days. So, we wanted you all to know that it is OK to take it all in at whatever pace you need to. Enjoy it… we sure did.
If you like reading about the white rabbit and Alice and Wonderland, I found these two articles that speak more in depth about this concept … careful though, you can go down a rabbit hole on this topic.
https://www.berrypatchfarms.net/white-rabbit-alice-in-wonderland-symbolism/
https://manasgodha.web.illinois.edu/2023/04/18/hopping-into-symbolism-decoding-the-white-rabbit-in-alice-in-wonderland/
Your post is “timely” – no pun intended! It is a busy season and we need to be reminded to slow down. I am going to teaching my first class after the New Year and I started my description off with: “slow down you move to fast…you’ve got to make the morning last.” Do you remember who wrote this song? (Simon & Garfunkel). Basically, I want to remind them that zentangle is a creative art form that doesn’t need to be rushed. This parallels with what you have just said. Thanks!
Patty on
Thanks, Molly, so much for the encouragement and reminder the Zentangle process is just that, a process. It can take however much time it takes. I’m still working on Project Pack 19 and feeling a little ‘behind’ but your kind words reminded me it’s a journey which should be enjoyed for itself. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Joyce Schieltz on
Marcia on
So insightful Molly … I had never thought of the parallels of Alice in Wonderland … I’m sure this resonates with so many … you exuded the same gentle life thoughts when we met back in Scotts Valley California. Thank you .
Patricia on
Beautiful post!
I couldn’t agree more with the symbolism you’ve highlighted, especially regarding the white rabbit and our attachment to time as adults.
It’s fascinating how Alice’s journey mirrors our experiences as she follows the white rabbit into the next stage of her life. We often find ourselves burdened by time pressures, constantly worrying about what’s next and losing sight of the present moment. Like the rabbit, we become chained to our schedules and deadlines, forgetting to embrace life’s whimsical and curious aspects.
Your blog post resonated deeply with me, and It’s a beautiful reminder to embrace the whimsy, let go of time’s pressures, and get lost in our own creative journeys. Thank you for sharing and encouraging us to savor the joy of Zentangle practice.
Much gratitude and appreciation,.
Lorie Fossa
❣️🙏🧚
Lorie Fossa on
Thanks for this post, I am always reminding others that Projects Packs and prompt lists don’t need to be done to a timetable, you do what suits you and when suits you, so that you can enjoy the project and use it to make ‘delicious’ mindful practise, which is what Zentangle is all about.
ildica boyd on
Michelle Dugdale CZT37 on
Thank you. Molly, for this wonderful post.
For me it came at the right time in the right format for me and now I am sitting here with tears of relief running down my face.
I am trying to figure out how to plan or not plan my days (I am recently retired) and having a hard time to fit all I want to do in my days. Often ending with the empty feeling of having achieved nothing because my day didnt follow my plan, trying very hard to concentrate on the positive things that happened to me during each day.
Thank you again and I cant wait till the 12days start, but I am not anxious any more about my ability to follow, or keep up. I will open my PP22 now and appreciate again with slightly different eyes the goodies in there that are waiting to be used.
Happy PP22 to all
Bettina from Spain/Europe
Bettina on
Great post. Such wisdom. I know these things, but it’s always useful to be reminded. There is a paragraph here that is so keenly appropriate for me that I’m gonna cut and paste it into my tangle folder so I can re-read it whenever I need to! Thank you Molly!
Jem Miller on
At times we do speed up & at other times we drag our feet.
We will all reach our ‘finish line’ at just the right time.
I wish to approach my ‘finish line’ tangling on a Zendala with a micron in hand!
patsy monk on
Molly, what a post. Thank you so much. I needed to hear that.
Becky Ruiz Jenab on
It is so easy to get caught up in the flurry of postings during a tangle event. Comparinoia can loom. Keeping pace with others becomes a temptation.
I really enjoy and celebrate what other tangles are doing and will promise myself to go at my own pace.
Kim Orlando on
Cindy K on
Thanks Molly for your wonderful insight & reminding us to slow down and enjoy all the beautiful moments! In life, as well as in our Zentangle practice.
Brenda Jowers, CZT #39 on
This is a fantastic blog post! So many things we need to be reminded of, plus I love reading the stories about the story. Definitely going down that rabbit hole!
Lynnda Tenpenny on
Barbara WF on
Leah Gasser
Fort Davis, Texas
Leah Gasser on
A wonderful blog, Molly. Such an important reminder that tangling is not a race or a competition. It is rather a wonderful way to relax and tangle whenever and wherever we can. Enjoying each an every stroke.
Looking forward to the new project pack.
Kathy mcMurtry on
A very timely message at this time of year! I’ve always loved Alice and the Cheshire cat. Thanks for reminding us of them and encouraging us to enjoy our now.
Jo on
Rimona Gale on
Diane Harpster on
Wow such a beautiful blog post! Thank you for writing such a great reminder for all of us! Can’t wait for the Project Pack to begin!!!
Donna Wynn CZT 13 on
Peyton on
Peyton on
Love always,
Debbie Collins, CZT33
Vienna, VA USA
Deborah Collins, CZT33 on