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Whenever I was called on to babysit my granddaughters, I found I enjoyed sitting and colouring with them. At the start of it all I hadn’t done any colouring since being at primary school, but found a new interest in what I would have previously called ‘remedial’ work if chosen for adults. It seemed to pass the time very well and we all got something out of it. We would chat as we drew and coloured. I’d use bright felt tip pens instead of the crayons of my youth.
Out shopping I started to buy felt tip pens and adult colouring books; no, not the type with naked men in to colour (are there any?), but those containing cityscapes or the like with intricate shapes and doodlings that took a long time to complete. I found it very calming and therapeutic to sit there with my felt tips and let my mind wander.
When Sam had a 4 hour operation to repair a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, I sat in an armchair by his bed and waited for him to come back from the operating theatre. To pass the time I picked out a page of elaborate swirls to colour in, which I never did get to finish. Being worried at the time I couldn’t concentrate on reading, but the colouring took my mind away from Sam for a while. Whenever I open my colouring book and see the picture below I am always reminded of my afternoon spent at the hospital.
Watching TV I’ve seen how colouring also has a calming effect on Ozzy Osborne, Black Sabbath’s ‘Prince of Darkness’. He gets a kick out of colouring too, and he experiences the same calming effect. When on a cruise a few years back, adult colouring was one of the activities. I dragged Sam along to where a smiling member of staff gave out pencils and colouring books to mostly middle aged ladies. Sam said he hadn’t done any colouring in 50 years, but quickly set to with his pencils to produce a passable masterpiece.
Do you like colouring? We have several colouring books indoors now, as well as at the van. Sometimes when I sit there making sure to keep within the lines, I feel like a little girl again!
dgkaye said:
Loved this and love coloring. I have 4 different books. I haven’t picked one up in quite awhile, but I find it relaxing if I’m watching TV as I always have to be doing 2 things, lol. These days it seems I’m on the computer too much. Good reminder to pull out the pencil crayons. 🙂 x
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Stevie Turner said:
I do colouring while watching TV too sometimes – usually if Sam’s picked a programme and I don’t find it very interesting!
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dgkaye said:
Lol, great alternative. 🙂
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parkermccoy said:
I colour in colouring books all the time. Those dang kids keep asking for them back, though. I mean, heck. Did they pay for them? I don’t think so.
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol. I love colouring in now, more than when I was a kid, I think.
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ditdot71 said:
There are physical benefits and emotional benefits to colouring. It has been a coping strategy for me as it allows my brain to slow down when I am manic. It is also a great de-stressor Thank you for sharing
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Jane Sturgeon said:
I reach for my knitting, so I haven’t tried this. I will try it though. Thanks, Stevie. 🙂
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tidalscribe said:
Every time I see one of those colouring book I have the urge – birthday present idea. I also want grown up Lego!
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Stevie Turner said:
Get colouring, lol!
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jenanita01 said:
I tend to reach for my sudoku book when I need to switch off my brain for a while. Could a colouring book work as well for me? I might have to find out, for I loved that swirly pattern!
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Stevie Turner said:
Sudoku always makes me angry, as my brain doesn’t ‘do’ numbers. Try colouring and you’ll see the effect it has!
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jenanita01 said:
I hope it isn’t THAT addictive…
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol! I haven’t found it’s addictive… not yet anyway!
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jenanita01 said:
That’s good!
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Darlene said:
Colouring is very therapeutic. I used it when working with unemployed people.
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Stevie Turner said:
I find it therapeutic too.
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jwebster2 said:
I was one of those clumsy children who always made a mess of it at school so haven’t done any since 😦
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Stevie Turner said:
Lol. You probably haven’t got time anyway.
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jwebster2 said:
🙂
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Darlene said:
Children who colour outside the lines often grow up to become very successful as it shows they are creative and can think outside the box.
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jwebster2 said:
in my case it merely showed lack of fine coordination 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Didn’t know that, Darlene.
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petespringerauthor said:
Adult coloring books are a big thing in the U.S. I have a couple of friends in high-stress jobs that say this is one of the ways they unwind. (Probably healthier than always reaching for alcohol.)
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes it’s a good way of unwinding for sure. Thanks Pete for your comment.
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