心の健康とゼンタングル®︎

United States has been observing Mental Health Awareness during the month of May since 1949. Each year, businesses, organizations, schools and individuals dedicate this month to acknowledge those effected by mental illness and present innovative ideas, events and programs that support the treatment and prevention of Mental Illness. Many individuals that suffer from mental health symptoms have found that creating art can be used as a therapy and have very positive effects on their condition. Even those not suffering from mental illness have found that a regular practice of creating art can be nurturing for relieving stress, increasing confidence and supporting general mental health wellness. The Zentangle Method is a simple and powerful way to access creativity. The Zentangle Method creates doorways to access our creative abilities and the artist within all of us. Using simple steps and basic strokes, anyone can create beautiful images using the Zentangle Method.   - - - + - - -

Russell writes.. So, when Julie asked me to do a Zentangle Family Tree Blog for May, I was excited to share my story, as I have always been open about my journey in Recovery. That being said, I usually introduce myself as “Hello, my name is Russell and I am an alcoholic.” As I write this, May 4, 2022, it has been exactly 1000 days since my last drink. With the struggle of addiction, I’ve learned to identify that I have struggles with other aspects of Me and my life, like mental health disorders. This brings my introduction full circle to why Julie asked me to share, as I was introduced to Zentangle in a Mental Health outpatient program early in my recovery. My first lesson was with Jody Genovese CZT on October 10th 2019, and I immediately attached onto the Zentangle Method as a way to help me with so many aspects of my life. For example, I am finally “doing” this typing after receiving the request in March… the anxiety of doing an “assignment” has facilitated my ability to procrastinat