When I started my planner I was truly inspired (and intimidated) by the beautiful page spreads that some people create. I wrote a little about this here. As much as I want to make beautiful things I know where my limitations are.
My first attempt at incorporating anything but my handwriting into my planner was a mood tracker with dutch houses. I was in love with the result but it was not something that came naturally to me.
I was probably one of the first people who bought an adult colouring book when they became available. It was in 2015 and I had just finished my Masters’ and I needed to try something totally different.
Only later did I realise that the images that I loved were the mandala ones, the paisley ones…
The idea sprouted that I could perhaps try to draw something like that. When typing Mandala doodles on Pinterest a whole new world opened up for me. The Engineer offered me his compass, and the first mandala was born. I even asked a friend to join me in the mandala challenge. Even though he later decided that it was not for him, I was hooked.
So that following month had a mandala theme in my planner… drawing which I spent more time on than actually planning.
And somewhere on my social media feeds I was introduced to Zentangles. After reading about it a little I learnt that this was a form of therapy as well and the notion of doing something that I really enjoyed and wanted to get better at, was something that could lift my mood… well, it sounded like a perfect fit.
You can read a little about the approach towards art therapy here.
So when my friend suggested that we take up the Inktober challenge I immediately got my supplies together.
I have been keeping up mostly, having to catch up on the weekends. My favourite thus far is this little guy.
I have been looking forward to checking out the prompt every afternoon when I got home and have been doing a lot of drawing while the Engineer was cooking.
So in my late thirties I am trying something new and loving it. Who knew?
You can see all the Tonotopic tangles on my Instagram feed. Please feel free to also share what you have been up to during Inktober.