Inspiration for work for me lately has come from coloring. Yep, a childhood pastime using adult coloring books. That’s right, it’s actually a thing and not even close to what some of you are thinking right now.
For several years I’ve occasionally revisited favorite childhood activities such as coloring, blowing bubbles, jigsaw puzzles, as a way to ease stress. One day I was telling a stressed coworker about coloring and she sent me a link to a book for adults on Amazon— sort of jokingly. I decided to buy it to see if it would really work better than my Dora the Explorer coloring book since it claimed the patterns were specifically for stress.
I made three rules for myself:
- I don’t have to finish a page or the book if I don’t want to.
- It doesn’t have to be color coordinated. (That’s a tough one for me.)
- It doesn’t have to be perfect.
Once I started coloring patterns, something specific happened; It helped me make a breakthrough in work I was doing at my job. The patterns were helping me make connections between related concepts, and then organize and categorize concepts and topics.
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Pinkpodster Ponders 
I love these adult coloring books. They’re wonderful for your brain! 🙂
Who knew, right!
The artwork you displayed here is quite beautiful and intriguing. Thank you for the introduction to adult coloring books – I didn’t know they existed!
You’re welcome! I find that when I color with spa-type music in the background, I become so relaxed. I’ve even fallen asleep like that. 🙂
Now you have definitely inspired me to try it ☺
A very popular pastime, my daughter does it, I wouldn’t have the patience!
You just have to do like I do. When I get bored with it or distracted I stop. I usually only color in spurts sometimes as little as 5 to 10 mins. But when I am focused on it for a while that’s when I see the benefits.
I just discovered these coloring books this year. I gave a couple to my daughter-in-law who absolutely loves them – so therapeutic and calming. Lovely post!
Yes! I keep spreading the coloring gospel everywhere I can. I forces me to put down my gadgets and stop staring at a screen all day which I find is a hazard of doing work for the web.
Oooo! I wish I took to colouring more. I really should try painting the colouring books I have to pass the time. I prefer paints as a medium more.
I like that idea! I haven’t painted in a while. Might be fun to do to switch things up.
Ooo give it a go. I find painting makes it harder to keep within the lines. But that’s the fun and frustrating part =P
Hmm, I’m committed to them not being perfect, so straying outside the lines — I’ll just have to let it go. 😀
LOL I’m too much of a perfectionist… I should let it go more too…
Agree – very inspirational and meditative. I have several adult coloring books myself with crayons and colored pencils. Love them!! Glad to see someone else does as well.
It’s so fun to find so many people who are enjoying them.
What a fantastic idea!!!
Thanks!
A group of friends and I created a coloring club of sorts. We’d each take turns coloring some pages in a book and pass it to the next person. It is a fun way to stay connected!
I love that idea. I going to suggest it to a couple of people. Thanks!
Nice art. How about online paint by numbers as well? Thanks!
Haha. I’ve never tried paint by numbers.