I’ve known since I was 8 that my mind was different from that of most people. That’s when I learned not everyone worried as much as I did. OK, obsessed. I need to find ways to quiet my mind—and I’ve tried them all.
People have suggested meditation. Not helpful. The last thing I need is to sit down and reflect. I already reflect too much! I’ve tried repeating a mantra, prayer and a variety of other things that should quiet my monkey mind but nothing worked until recently. I’m a little embarrassed that I do it, but ever since The Atlantic wrote an article about it recently, I’ve decided it’s safe to admit that I color. In a coloring book with pretty pencils.
I first heard about adult coloring while attending a writers’ workshop this summer. One of my fellow writers, Lisa Yahne Davis, is a zentangler. I’m not
sure that is even a word but here’s what I know: Zentangling is a method of drawing structured around repetitive patterns to create beautiful images. Lisa and I became Facebook friends and she regularly posts beautiful zentangle drawings I can print and color. All I have to do is get out my pencils and fill in the blanks. The process can take well over an hour to complete, and during that time my mind is completely occupied and unable to worry or really think about anything other than choosing colors and applying them in beautiful ways.
I thought I was one of only a few people with this secret hobby until I read that seven of the top 20 books sold on Amazon are adult coloring books! According to The Atlantic, coloring is a soothing activity because it involves repetitive motions and limited space. In other words, I can’t wander off into the deep depths of my thoughts if I am focused on which color I need to use next.
Does this mean I’ll be signing up for adult summer camp next, or return to playing hopscotch? Doubtful, unless they start a camp for drinking scotch; that might be appealing. But I will keep coloring. My only problem is I have no one to give the pictures to. I am far too old to give them to my mom, and I’m not that good an artist to sign them and hand them to friends as artwork. So I will just continue to keep my own works of art and be happy that for a few hours every week, coloring quiets my mind. Oh, and at 55, I can finally stay inside the lines!
If you would like to try your hand at adult coloring, Lisa has allowed Town&Style to feature some of her work on our website. Go to townandstyle.com, click on the leisure tab, then the mind games tab. Just print the picture of your choice and color away your worries. And let me know at phannum@townandstyle.com what you think. Maybe we can have a coloring contest!
Email Patty at phannum@townandstyle.com.