At least that is what FlyLady says. In fact, on Sunday I used her "crisis cleaning" method. Basically, you set a timer for 15 minutes and do as much as you can in one room. When it goes off, move to another room for 15 minutes. After 3 rooms, you get to rest. It is amazing how much you can get done.
It is no longer amazing to me how the Diva and I are operating on the same wavelength once again. So, I wasn't at all surprised when her challenge this week was to complete a tangle in 15 minutes.
Once I read the challenge, I decided I had to do it NOW, even though it was way past bedtime. To keep things quick, I decided to just grab what was handy and go for it. This meant not getting up to get my regular tiles or sketchbooks or even my reading glasses. Tangling without reading glasses makes my tangling go much faster anyhow as I can't see all of the details :=) So, grabbing a sheet of scrap paper, I decided that the outline of my ColorBox would be a cute shape. As I took the lid off to trace around it, I realized that stamping it would be even faster than tracing, plus I wouldn't have to take time to shade! Cheating? Maybe, but I knew that there was no way I could get anything close to my usual work done in 15 minutes.
So, I started the timer, and 15 minutes later, here is what I got:
It is no longer amazing to me how the Diva and I are operating on the same wavelength once again. So, I wasn't at all surprised when her challenge this week was to complete a tangle in 15 minutes.
Once I read the challenge, I decided I had to do it NOW, even though it was way past bedtime. To keep things quick, I decided to just grab what was handy and go for it. This meant not getting up to get my regular tiles or sketchbooks or even my reading glasses. Tangling without reading glasses makes my tangling go much faster anyhow as I can't see all of the details :=) So, grabbing a sheet of scrap paper, I decided that the outline of my ColorBox would be a cute shape. As I took the lid off to trace around it, I realized that stamping it would be even faster than tracing, plus I wouldn't have to take time to shade! Cheating? Maybe, but I knew that there was no way I could get anything close to my usual work done in 15 minutes.So, I started the timer, and 15 minutes later, here is what I got:
Just 15 minutes.
So, is it possible to create a tile in 15 minutes? Maybe for some people. For me, I cannot create a ZENtangle in 15 minutes. This was stress, not Zen.
So, what can you do in just 15 minutes? I can:
* exercise
* send a card to a friend
* do the dishes
* tidy a room
* call a friend
* write a blog post (usually)
* even take a nap.
Can I create a Zentangle? Not yet. I don't even want to try again.
It's not cheating, it's utilizing your resources :)
ReplyDeleteThat is an incredible idea! A whole new way to start a zendala - can not wait to make one!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if it clicked before . . . I homeschooled my kids for 4 wonderful years! My twins are the same age as your daughter. I certainly miss our time together, but each year we decide what is best for them and right now it seems to be public middle school. It has given me the chance to do calligraphy work for hire and to Zentangle.
As they say, desperate times call for desperate measures :-)
ReplyDeleteI meant desperate measures for tangling - not homeschooling!
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this, and your tangle is great and thoughtful...I didn't feel the Zen when I did mine either!!
ReplyDeleteI, too, like to Zen-out and take my time with the whole process - probably why I do so much more ZIA than Zentangle... it's good to stretch, 'though.
ReplyDeleteAnother great template for a small mandala! The snatches of color around the edges are lovely.
ReplyDelete--Margaret
"This was stress, not Zen." Yes. I was very stressed.
ReplyDeleteMargaret - Thanks. Did you see the "finished" one? I hope you don't think I ruined it. I may have gone over the top.
ReplyDeleteCall a friend... ack! Write a blog post?!! In fifteen minutes??!! [slightly hysterical cackling in the background] But I agree - I don't usually do tiles in 15 minutes. Once or twice - but they were generally monotangles (and still notable occasions, ie. phone up tangle buddy, "Guess what?!!"... and then continue talking ...for way more than 15 minutes). Love the colour box background. Gonna try some of that!!
ReplyDeleteOK, it should have said, "SOMETIMES, write a blog post in 15 minutes, not usually." OK, how about call a brother or call your mom in 15 minutes :-)
ReplyDeleteThe idea of using your color box is splendid! There´s no cheating… but applying the minimax-principle ;-) .
ReplyDeleteGood job – what a pitty that you got stressed.
@}-;-
Great job, way to use what you've got! I love your listing of what you CAN do in 15 minutes. I too found this challenge, very challenging!
ReplyDeleteCool idea! I like the concept of looking around your space and finding something - anything, and running with it!
ReplyDeleteHah! Actually, I like the effect of the stamp for a string like that. It adds a good bit of character just in a quick stamp :D
ReplyDelete