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Let Your Pen Soothe Your Soul - Vol. 1

Let Your Pen Soothe Your Soul - Vol. 1

Bijou writes...

The United States has been observing Mental Health Awareness Month during the month of May since 1949. Each year, businesses, organizations, schools, and individuals dedicate this month to acknowledge those affected by mental illness by presenting innovative ideas, events, and programs to support the treatment and prevention of mental illness.

This month reminds us to recognize our wonderful CZT community that has found deep connections to the Zentangle Method through their own mental health journey, and who pass along the power of the Zentangle Method through teaching in their communities and beyond. They inspire others to tap into their creative abilities to soothe, heal, reignite, and empower... and they do the same themselves. We have asked some of our CZTs to share their stories this month and we thank them for their vulnerability in doing so. We hope these personal reflections remind our wider community how important it is to find a creative outlet and prioritize yourself.

 

Today we hear from Laurie Chester. She writes...

Back in 2015, I approached my 60th birthday with gusto: my children were grown and on their own, I had a thriving business, a healthy and fit body. What could possibly go wrong?

What I didn’t realize was that the depression and anxiety I had been hiding all my life was about to break loose and bring me to my knees. My maladaptive coping mechanisms worsened and I began a mental health journey searching for a way to “Find the ‘I’ in Me” that continues to this day.

I spent Christmas 2018 and the first month of 2019 in residential treatment for depression, anxiety and chronic PTSD. Yes, I spent time on a locked ward! During this time, I was exposed to multiple treatment modalities, some of which I had experienced before, others new: individual and group, equine, psychodrama, dance/movement, somatic therapies to acupuncture, Qigong, and yoga. All were useful in their own right, but what I most responded to was Art Therapy.

Returning home to VA, I sought out an art therapist to add to my treatment team. Doing that research led to me to a local therapist who offered workshops in something called Zentangle. Intrigued, I hired her to teach her workshop to a group of friends at my home.

I was instantly hooked! That Saturday afternoon in May 2019 marked the start of my foray into the glorious world of Zentangle and forever changed my life: I now had an outlet, a hobby, a way to escape all the chaos and turmoil in my head. Zentangle brought me a sense of peace I had so desperately needed.

The memorable year of 2020 soon followed: I had to quickly convert my business to a virtual format as we entered a protracted period of lockdown.

Zentangle literally saved my life: I produced over 300 tiles/Zentangle drawings during lockdown. I enrolled in CZT training class 36 and did the teacher training while sick with COVID! It has provided me with a sense of stability that I had not known before. It has been something I can turn to when my anxiety prevents me from doing simple day-to-day tasks like going to the store or making a phone call. It calms my mind, my fears, my memories. It has helped me find the “I in Me.”

Despite progress in acceptance and understanding of mental health struggles, I have found that few people understand, or, even more importantly, want to try to understand and listen to the world of those who struggle mightily with mental health issues. This has been a huge disappointment to me. I hope that by sharing some of my story, more will be open to hearing our stories of survival, and the role that instruments like Zentangle can play in preserving life and in helping with the healing.

 

As a reminder, we will release a 21-day series that invites our community to find 15-20 minutes for themselves each day from May 10th to May 30th. We focus on one tangle, one tile, one stroke at a time - simple, yet healing. You can find NEW Bijouisms and new videos each day in our newsletter and on our YouTube channel.

Bijou

20 comments

  • Zentangle really saved my life during the lockdown when I had no other way of self-expression. Lost a lot of friends so not many people to even talk to during that time. Now I’ve developed neuropathy in both my hands so it is difficult to draw, crochet or even hold a book. I wonder what the Universe will give me as a method of self-expression this time. Life is an adventure, isn’t it?

    Deborah Alborell on

  • What resilience you have shown! I’ve always thought that as we create art we re-create ourselves in a new dimension, you seem to have done that. Thank you for sharing your story with us Tanglers! You are truly an inspiration.🩷

    Barbara on

  • Beautiful story Laurie. This is why I share Zentangle in my Psychology practice, it is something so much more than just therapy but provides connection and future focus. So great that you share.

    Roslyn Badcock on

  • I am SO happy for you Laurie! You have shown strength and resilience extraordinaire! You are an inspiration❤️

    Kathy Y. on

  • Thanks, Laurie, for sharing. As an art teacher (now retired ), I learned about Zentangling maybe 15 years ago, and used the method with a population of very diverse students. From non-verbal kids with autism to high schoolers who had been abused, I found Zentagle to soothe many souls. I’m so happy you found your purpose and your peace!

    Holly on

  • Thank you Laurie for sharing your story and beautiful Zentangle artwork! I have been following and doing the zentangle method since 2019. Can’t be a CZT but I have lots of fun doing project packs and other tiles in some groups. I am a happy tangler! Tangling and doing other art helps me with my mental health! Thank you again Laurie and thank you Zentangle HQ for sharing those journey!

    Nathalie on

  • Thank you for sharing your story, Laurie. We appreciate your vulnerability in doing so. Mental health issues run in my family, and Zentangle is such a blessing to so many. Thank you, Laurie.

    LaquetaS on

  • Love your work -and your story . So glad you have found zentangle -which I too have found to be a source of calm & self care in my retirement years. It’s been 12 years for me & the art I produce with each piece I practice daily -is the gift .💜

    Penny on

  • Laurie, Isn’t it ironic how people with anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental situations seek solutions, and in doing so develop coping skills, find appropriate meds and avoidance techniques so that when things like COVID happen we are able to cope and help others stay calm? Just this week I was a very bumpy flight across the country … the nice person next to me was very upset by the rocking and jolting of the plane. My Zentangle tools were in the overhead so I just made a virtual Zentangle for her with my hands while describing the Zentangle Method of gratitude and appreciation (for the pilots and aircraft), and went on to how the dots, border and string worked. We imagined putting in knightsbridge and tipple, did a little shading descending through the clouds, added our chop and gratefully landed safely. She may be the next new tangler, who knows? Thank you for sharing your story of overcoming a mental health issue is very familiar to me. Take care of yourself.

    Ann Baum on

  • I too have been suffering from depression for more than 40 years, starting as a teen. Medicine does not work for me. I found Zentangle in 2014 and it has helped so much. Although I am not able to become a CZT, I do share my knowledge of all art related subjects with anyone that will listen. I know I have been able to help others and will continue to do so until I can no longer move. Thank you for sharing your story.

    Tracy Lamb on

  • How wonderful that Zentangle could help you so much. You really are amazing to gone through so much and become such a Tangling Hero.

    Kathleen McMurtryCZT on

  • I AM SO GLAD YOU FOUND ZENTANGLE AND THAT IT HAS HELPED YOU UN-TANGLE SOME OF THE WEBS THAT YOU FOUND BLOCKING YOUR WAY! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AND FOR SHARING ZENTANGLE WITH OTHERS SO THAT THEY MIGHT GAIN THE BENEFITS OFFERED BY THIS THERAPEUTIC METHOD! TANGLE ON!!

    Laurel Paulson-Pierce on

  • Thank you so much for your courage to share your personal journey with the wonder of Zentangle! It has touched so many of us in profound ways, and sparked much healing, growth and discovery! Thank you Rick and Maria! May your journey continue to unfold in the wondrous way only Zentangle inspiration can foster !! 💗

    Barb Marlatt. CZT 20 on

  • Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Happy and grateful you found Zentangle! Light & love to you! 💗😇💗

    Brenda Campbell, CZT29 on

  • Thank you so much for sharing, Laurie. I’m so glad that Zentangle has worked in this way for you. As another CZT36, I was so grateful for the timing of and opportunity to attend training online. Zentangle is such a gift to our mental health and I love to be able to share it as a potential help for others!

    Diane Harpster on

  • Thank you so very much, Laurie! Sharing parts of your journey is courageous (full of heart) and so helpful for changing the stigma often associated with mental health struggles. Your sharing helps normalize the ways we can seek help. Brava!!! AND we are sister CZT36ers… the first online training.

    Molly Siddoway King CZT36 on

  • Thank you for your openness and vulnerability, Laurie! I deal with anxiety at times and honor my Zentangle practice for the important contentment and connection to my inner self that it offers me. I’m so grateful Zentangle found me!

    Veta Goler on

  • Yes! Keep up the good work! I’m happy for you!

    Sandy Kelley-Jones CZT on

  • Wow, I so appreciate the honesty and vulnerability in this post. As an art therapist, I can attest to the healing power of art in the people I have worked with and also in my own life. Laurie, thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m sure there are many people who can relate to it who may not feel comfortable sharing their own story. It’s generous and gracious of you to share yours.

    Dione Greenberg on

  • Oh, Laurie! Thanks so much for sharing your story. Mental health issues are in my family genes. I feel your pain and applaud your progress. You are a super star!

    Melanie

    Melanie Perkins on

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