As a little girl, I loved to color. My mother would give me a Crayola set of 64 crayons and a coloring book and I would be quiet and content for hours. Fast forward a few decades and adult coloring books have been introduced to the mainstream. Long used by therapists and psychologist to aid in the treatment of anxiety, PSTD and depression, these adult coloring books are popping up in stores everywhere. Hailed as a way to relax and decompress, I did not need convincing. I’m an avid doodler, especially during long meetings and training classes so I took to an adult coloring book like a fish to water. I bought my first book and set of colored pencils and used them the following day while I enjoyed a cup of coffee. You might think it’s bologna but I swear my thoughts were clearer and more focused for the rest of the day. There’s something about the repetitive nature of filling in patterns that is cathartic and takes the edge off the day. The best part is that you don’t have to know how to draw to create a beautiful work of art. Depending on how intricate the outline is, you can have a beautiful picture in about an hour or two. I know, I know… I don’t have the time to color. Track your 168 and find the time. You can take 30 minutes to tell your brain to shut up and focus on lines, swirls, animals, hearts or whatever else is on the page. For creative types, it will spark new ideas. For the analytical folks, it will allow your brain to have enough down time for you to solve what keeps you up at night. My girls think my book is kinda cool. My husband doesn’t get it. My mother just smiled when she saw my coloring book and asked if I wanted some more books.
If you have not heard of or seen these amazing pieces of calm here are a few links to get you started:
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/mobile/s/adult+coloring+books
Walmart
http://www.walmart.com/tp/adult-coloring-books
http://www.walmart.com/search/?query=colored%20pencils&typeahead=Colo&cat_id=0
Books-a-Million https://m.booksamillion.com/coloring
https://m.booksamillion.com/search?id=6496361957551&query=Colored%20pencil%20set&where=All
Crayola
http://shop.crayola.com/art-and-craft-supplies/adult-coloring
Michael’s http://www.michaels.com/drawing/adult-coloring-books/851315821
http://www.michaels.com/adult-coloring/pencils-and-markers/858298735
I would love to see your creations once you get started.
With love,
