Here's my koala bears! I am very proud of this coloring project. My inner child is truly giggling and happy at the fact that she can finally color like the adults. But what was unexpected for me is just how much I enjoyed this project. Finding the colors to use and creating the patterns just the way I wanted was an awesome joy. It was also joyful to figure out how to be creative. I've never cross hatched before! Nor have I shaded.
So besides my show and tell here; why am I writing about this experience? A few reasons. One is that I want more adults to get in on adult coloring books. It's an easy way to be creative, joyful, child-like, and calm and without spending a ton of money to do it. Two is that I'd like to impart the importance of nurturing your inner child throughout your life. And three is that I want mention and extol the virtues of self care. Also I really just want to show off my creations, lol.
"...finally helped me see the joy of creativity and that I don't have to be a master artisan to enjoy the process of creation."
Creative and Joyful
Lots of us have this idea that "I'm not creative". I know because I am one of those people. I can not seem to draw anything, even when tracing, that looks remotely like a recognizable object. I loved writing, so I stuck with that. But over the years I bought canvas and water colors and all sorts of tools because now "I'm going to do art," I said to myself. But I never actually did anything for long because it didn't look like I was going to be the next Picasso. So years ago I gave up on being creative in the visual arts.
As luck would have it, I had a friend who invited me over for Christmas Eve last week and we colored! Here's this beauty!
I never had that much fun with colored pencils in my whole adult life! More importantly it was calming too and I recognized that it was an excellent tool to add to my self care routine. More on that in a moment. But what became abundantly clear: I could be visually creative and it's beautiful! How wonderful!
Too often we hold ourselves back from enjoying a plethora of life experiences because our performance of it isn't the most perfect and bad ass version ever. But this Christmas Eve experience (what a great gift, right?) finally helped me see the joy of creativity and that I don't have to be a master artisan to enjoy the process of creation.
"The inner child knows faith. The inner child knows confidence. The inner child knows it is okay to try, regardless of the potential results."
Laughing Inner Child
Oh how my inner child giggled and beamed at my colored penciled beauty! And what a good friend, she fawned over my work like a great mother hen! This was truly a healing experience too. I never expected to feel so much happiness at something my hands created and it was a great reminder to just jump in and try!
Fear abounds in our adult hood. We've had a lifetime of situations, people, and places that said, "fear me!" And so we do! But the child within throws caution to the wind and jumps in, fully faithful that everything will be fine. As older beings, we can obviously approach certain things in our lives with caution, that's a benefit of life long learning. But all too often we fail to even dip a toe in the water.
The inner child knows faith though. The inner child knows confidence. The inner child knows it is okay to try, regardless of the potential results. We would do well to integrate our spirited inner child with appropriate levels of adulthood caution. We'll go past the limits of our comfort zones and we'll have fun doing it!
Coloring and Self Care
Needless to say my friend has started something. I had a coloring book from a while ago and I had some markers that another friend gave me over the summer. It's like the Universe knew that I would be adding this activity to my life soon! Since last weeks coloring, I finished the koalas at home and I've started another image in my coloring book already. But it does take time, so be ready for that. But it really is such a calming activity. I do a couple of things to make it good for me that could work for you as well.
I do the coloring at a table, so I am sitting upright and using good posture. No sense in hurting yourself while trying to have fun. I also put on a fun podcast (currently listening to Ologies and Fast Forward) or I listen to calming Reiki music (you can use meditation apps or even Youtube). Both have a way of just putting you in the zone, much like when cleaning the house or some other involved project.
If I have a couple of hours, I do it. But if only a short window is available, 15 minutes is the minimum I'd recommend. Much like a meditation session, the benefits do not take long to feel. I usually feel happy, fulfilled, and pleased which is a great, healthy way to improve your mood without a ton of time, effort, or expense. A set of markers can be as little as $5 bucks, a coloring book $4, and some basic coloring pencils $5. It's not a spa, but it definitely helps renew you!
In short, if you want a way to feel creative, proud of yourself, and boost your mood without a lot of time, money, or materials, especially if in covid lockdown, get a coloring book! Your inner child will thank you and your adult self will move with new courage.
Santee Blakey is a Life Coach and Licensed Massage Therapist at Soul Growth Wellness. When she's not biking, reading, or biking, or reading (she needs new hobbies, suggest her some:-), she'll be writing and enjoying a caramel frappacino in her favorite Starbucks (this is obviously pre-Covid) *sigh*. Follow her on Youtube for her series --> Self Acceptance: What It's Really Like (A Journey).
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