Buying coloring books for the young ones in our lives is commonplace, but, why not get one for yourself? Perhaps you've talked yourself out of it once or more, telling yourself that it is a frivolous use of your money and that you won't use it. Or maybe you think you're above using coloring books.
Well, here's a reality check; it may not work for everyone but if you need to release some stress, it's worth trying.
Adults can benefit from coloring books. Here's the trinity of the coloring book virtues:
Creative outlet
Not everyone has a job that involves being creative in the artistic sense, and many people work 40 hours or more each week. Setting aside time to do something, anything remotely creative will allow you the chance to blossom and start thinking in different ways. Over time, the creative thinking you experience during your coloring sessions will leak into your day to day activities and you will find new ways to tackle challenges.
The nice thing about coloring is you have no excuse not to try it. You don't have to be self-conscious about your drawing skills or your coloring techniques. There's no need to show what you color to anyone. All you have to do is pick which colors you want to go where and color in. There are so many different varieties of coloring books you can just pick whatever strikes your fancy. Are there "Star Wars"-themed ones? Heck yes, there are! What about "Game Of Thrones," sharks, nature, art nouveau, or how about swear words? Yes, to all of those and so much more! Just pick a coloring book you like and have at it.
Time to chill
The time you spend coloring is your relaxing time. Sure, you could have the TV on, but you can't really focus on it while coloring. Listening to your favorite music is better suited for the activity at hand, though you may find that you enjoy the silence. You can take your colored pencils, pens, markers, whatever you use to pigment the pages and go outside. Listen to nature as you color for a half hour. It offers you an opportunity to work through the problems and stress of the day, so that when you are done coloring, you may find that you're able to be fully present in what you're doing at home.
Invite a friend
Have friends come over, or color with your family. This doesn't have to be an activity you do alone. Your friends and family may also feel like they need time to unwind, but are putting that to the side to spend time with you. Run the idea of a coloring date by them and see if they're interested in decompressing through coloring too. Bob Ross painting parties are popular because of the relaxed and artistic nature of the activity.
Coloring dates are similar to painting parties. In fact, you have even less to think about in regards to setting up a coloring date. No need to get out drop cloths, paints, cups of water, paint brushes, or set up Netflix. Just grab a coloring book, coloring implements of choice, and start coloring.
Everyone needs some time to de-stress. Try coloring as part of your self-care routine and maybe it'll bloom into a group activity that pigments your days with happiness.
