DH showing my "art" without my knowledge

[TheOtherMrs]

I zentangle /doodle for stress relief. This is a private activity, usually involves an audible book or music and zoning out for an hour or so. The result is occasionally shown to DH.

I've just found out he's been taking photos of my sketch book and showing them to a few of his friends because he's "proud of his artistic wife". The sketch book is left wherever I last doodled because I thought he understood it was private, like phones, laptops etc. I feel like he's showing off a private diary and now I want to either stop drawing or hide it.

YABU - DH is rightly proud of his wifes supposed artistic prowess and has every right to show it off
YANBU - he can be proud, but he should have asked before showing to others

Not really relevant but I don't think anybody is disputing the usefulness of the method as mental stimulation.
It's whether the artistic output is just a by-product or something that's impressive to other people.
The official Zentangle page itself focuses on its use as an art therapy tool and resulting benefits to the artist's mental health.
Unlike, say knitting where you make things for others to wear.

Did he know it's meaningful rather than pretty looking doodling iyswim?
If he thought it was just doodling then he probably simply didn't think for a second it was personal but if you'd ever said to him that it's stress relief for you or told him anything really that would indicate it was anything other than mindless doodling then he shouldn't have shared it.

@TheOtherMrs

I've never heard of Zentangle so had to google it - I think this is what I've been needing to destress and find the concentration I've lost in the last few years. I can't even read books any more because I can't focus - and I once was a voracious reader. I still have a pile of books I've re-bought (expensive and hard to get hold of after so many years) so I could luxuriate during Covid lockdowns... The zentangle result looks beautiful and something I would put on my walls.

Having said that you need, I think, to emphasise to your husband that these are private and not for him to share with anyone else unless you expressly give him permission - it's not for him to assume you're OK with his action and proceed without speaking to you first. Ask him to stop sharing them and, sadly, be less open with your journal - which you shouldn't have to. 🌹

Well you said you "assumed" he knew it was private, but if you didn't actually tell him and you show him maybe he just didn't realise.

If now you've told him he continues to then yes that's out of order.

I agree with @LadyNijo and I don't know why you're being so snotty.

Normally stuff people want to keep private they won't show to others, or if they did, would clearly articulate that when showing the other person. Just tell him you'd rather he didn't share it.

I have a slightly different user name because I closed my account, then decided I actually have a bit more to say.
Firstly to those that are interested enough in Zentangle to look it up and maybe try it yourselves, I hope you find it as useful as I have.

My second point is that I started doodling/Zentangle following a suicide attempt. DH is very aware that what I draw is private.

DH is very aware that what I draw is private

Maybe if you'd shared this in your OP you might have got the answers you wanted.

Thank you for being so understanding x