Why i'm Going to Boston...

It’s Official.

I’m going to Boston.

Why? Well, why not?

Okay, okay, so the real reason I’m going is for something very exciting to me. I’m going to Whitinsville, Massachusetts to become a certified Zentangle instructor.

A what?

Ooh, so pretty! All zentangles done by yours truly.

A Zentangle Instructor!

My coworker Kathy (HI Kathy!!) introduced me to Zentangle around Christmastime, and it's right up my alley.

The way that i've been describing it lately has been a sort of combination of Doodling and Meditation. But there's more to it than that.

This one was a collaboration - Chewie and I made this together! Fun times.

Those of you who've been around for a while remember this post back in November when i broke down and told you all about my issues with anxiety. Good frakkin' times. Anyway, since that post i have been going to see Dr. Sharon when i need to be grounded, and B-rad has been awesome and *checking in* to see how i'm really doing.


I took a Meditation workshop with a friend of mine (HI SHANANA!) and it was awesome. I really found some peace while i was there, and have used the tools i learned - and those tools have helped me come down from a dangerous anxiety high from time to time.

Which brings me to Zentangle.


Their slogan is "One Stroke at a Time" which is really very zen. When working on a zentangle, you really have to do it one pen stroke at a time, which helps keep you in the moment and really relieves stress. I have seen a noticeable difference in my stress levels since i have been zentangling on a regular basis.


Over the christmas holidays i immersed myself in all things zentangle that i could. I went to the website and devoured all their back issues of the newsletter, i found Sandy's blog BEEZ in the Belfry and devoured that too.

"But isn't it just doodling" "Can't you do teach it without being certified?"
To quote Sandy's answer to this question in her comments:

Yes! You can teach Zentangle without being certified. The point of the workshop is to learn all the foundations, the basics, the tips and mistakes to avoid... all that, from the originators. You learn the process of how it came about and the point of it all. If you do want to teach it, it really does help to learn this stuff. I mentioned in an older post that any one can do Zentangle inspired artwork and make it their own. But "Zentangle", the method or process, was designed with particular steps to accomplish a particular goal - and for that, you need instruction of some kind. Does that make sense?

So that sealed it for me... and after discussing it with B-rad on several occasions, i sent in my registration for their Certified Instructor seminar in May.

As much as i don't like to admit it, i am turning 30 in May. Yes, i know, i don't read a day over 25, but it's true.

I've decided that this trip (which will take place the week after my 30th birthday) will be my present to myself. The seminar which starts on a tuesday and ends on a friday will also be the PERFECT reason to head over to the nearby town to meet the very fabulous Teeni (of Vaguetarian Tea Room fame) and her Hubby TGH who have so very generously offered their services as Boston tour guides for the Friday night and all day Saturday and part of Sunday before i fly back home...

There may have also been talk of Margaritas and Buffalo Wings. Both things of which i am VERY pro!

I'm not really sure exactly what avenue i want to pursue with zentangling once it's all said and done. In the grand scheme of things, i think i'd like to work towards doing Goal Oriented staff retreats, and working with little kids in the school system.

Who knows? It seems like there are many types of applications for this, and if absolutely nothing else, there is a place for zentangle in my life as an anxiety reducing tool, which i totally need.

And also?? Boston! in May!! How cool is that?