Patterns, Peace, and the Art of Self-Repair
Sketchual Healing is a combination of line art and zentangle.
📖 Line Art. The use of straight or curved lines, set on a plain background. They come in the form of realism, caricature, cartoons, etc. Learn more on Wikipedia.
I once used zentangles to find mental peace. It felt safe, calm, and stressful as heck for a perfectionist without artistic skill.
If I place too much focus on my art, I get upset. I lose that feeling of relaxation. Eventually, it feels like a strict, rule-based chore.
Zentangles uses lines, like line art. They use visually pleasing patterns, too. However, they require more focus. I find I need a little more effortlessness.
📖Zentangle. These are structured patterns that often use lines, dots, and geometric shapes. These patterns, referred to as tangles, create intentionally mindful art once combined. Learn more by visiting the Zentangle website.
That is where this combined medium became Sketchual Healing.
What is Sketchual Healing, Then?
I define Sketchual Healing as a combination of line art and zentangle. I use both mediums to fill a page with words and patterns that are visually pleasing. They also work together in a mindless way to create intentional patterns without a focus on perfection or perfect repetition.
Recently, I started struggling with grip issues and a mild shake, especially when I am focused on a detailed task. Sketchual Healing allows me to step back, accept imperfection, and appreciate my skill growth as I learn new designs. It also lets me use lines to create flourished writing—a passion I have held since I was in high school.
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🛍️Don’t Like Drawing? You can find a variety of Zentangle coloring books, too! The tangles are coloring-friendly and come in a variety of styles. All you have to do is find the tangle style that speaks to you the most. Coloring is yet another great form of self-care.
Seek Peace Among The Chaos.
Tuesday, my therapist told me that I was holding myself together better than someone society would deem “normal.”
My health is a rollercoaster ride, yet I ground myself often to cope with my reality. Sketchual Healing is one such way. I bought supplies and started this path last week.
Last week was the week when my life started circling the grand drain of all drains.
I was already facing chronic pain, plus the addition of a new mystery in the form of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH).
Everything seems to swirl a little more with each passing moment.
Poetry was introduced a week or so before Sketchual Healing was considered.
I know what it takes for emotional stability because I learned how to manage my struggles over many years of therapy and personal investment. I didn’t just talk about my problems, I learned from each session and struggle.
I know when I need to seek peace, even if it remains temporary. It is about caring for my needs (self-care) in the moment. It feeds into me so I can extend energy back out as needed.
Self-care isn’t a luxury. It is necessary for functioning at the highest possible level each day.
You might say spoons for energy level. I call them stitches. If I start with only half a row of stitches? I know where my energy needs to be distributed for daily survival. I’m aware that self-care will help balance my stitches across all responsibilities.
Let’s Wrap This Up…
I’ve been looking forward to this post. Not the content, necessarily. The act of writing it. You see, being here brings me peace. Writing about all things—pain, health, self-care, and my journey—brings me internal peace and mental wellness.
I couldn’t do that without you. Thank you.
If you think someone would benefit from Sketchual Healing or this resonated with you, please like and share this post to help spread the word.
Do you already use art as self-care? Tell me about your medium in the comments below!
Have a great day, my lovely friends. Until next time. ♡
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