Relax, Mediate With Zentangle

by Cerise Graham

​Relax, Mediate With Zentangle
by Cerise Graham

Have you ever walked into an arts & craft store, department store, or grocery store and found the magazine and book aisles covered with strange coloring books? Not the Superman, Bugs Bunny, and Mickey Mouse coloring books you remember as a kid, but coloring books filled with wonky lines and crazy shapes. Well little did you know those books had a name and purpose, zentangle.

Zentangle coloring books or adult coloring books, are known to be a form of relaxation and meditation.  Just like you remember coloring books as a kid, these are non-repetitive and easy activities from start to finish. They are primarily for adults but children can enjoy them too.

As you color, you get to see your picture come to life. If you have ever put a puzzle together, the adult coloring book is like assembling a puzzle. It gives you time to be one with your thoughts. This is an easy and simple approach to meditation through zentangle; however for some, it may not be involved enough (looking at you deep thinkers). 

Fear not, zentangle does not only come in the form of coloring books, you can also freehand them (I know thought-provoking). Creating your zentangle also allows you to create a piece of art unique to you, to express your thoughts and emotions. Careful not to let this newfound freedom get out of hand, after all you are trying to relax and mediate, not add to your stress and frustration. 
 
If you don’t want to use coloring books and you don’t want to go out and buy art supplies or use your children’s; there are also many apps you can use on your mobile devices. Zentangle on an app is very similar but there are some differences between the digital and physical. 

The app approach is a jack of all trades if you will, it allows you to do a little bit of everything. This approach also leaves room for correction that the physical does not, so if you are someone who is a perfectionist, you can fix any mistakes you make. Remember the goal is to reduce stress and relax.

Most people used to love doodling when they were younger. Doodling helps a lot of us express whatever is going on in our minds. It takes us to a place, in that moment, where we can visualize what we are thinking. Zentangle does the same thing except it provides a guide that helps us mediate at the same time. 

We love designs and art. Colors speak to our souls. Colors themselves can truly make us happy and brighten our day (seriously that is why we have favorite colors in our homes, rooms, and workspaces). Zentangle brings all of that together to help us get through our day. That not only gives you time to be one with your thoughts but in the process gives you some pretty cool pieces to display in your house or post online. 

If you used to like coloring books, love art, and like peaceful activities then zentangle is perfect for your creative soul. It will definitely help you relax and mediate and who doesn’t need that today.