Colouring!

I can’t believe that 2 months have passed since I last wrote a blogpost. It’s been a busy time, celebrating my birthday in January, offering a course on how to write an Ethical Will, working on my next book, and dreaming of what I would like to do once COVID passes, and we are free to meet in person again.

I think I have that next thing sorted out, but for now, it’s still February and I have been wondering what to do with the feeling of being somewhat housebound. Yes, spring is coming, but not quite yet. What can we do for enjoyment and comfort while we wait?

While sorting through all my expressive arts supplies, yesterday I came upon a beautiful Adult Colouring book called Colour Me Happy: 100 Colouring Templates That Will Make You Smile. Today I sat down with my favourite coloured pencils, opened the colouring book and have just spent a very happy half hour or so colouring one of the pictures. I got the feeling of accomplishing something, while at the same time, relaxing and enjoying the process. The perfect combination!

In the Introduction to her book, Lacy Mucklow writes, “ Why make a colouring book for adults? As children, many of us enjoyed colouring in our favourite characters or scenes in books with our trusty pack of crayons, but as we got older, added responsibilities came along, which pushed aside all those things we used to do for sheer enjoyment. But there is no rule that says we should stop all the fun!…. The act of colouring is fun and meditative,bringing joy just through the simple act of picking up a coloured pencil or crayon and focusing your creativity and thoughts on a single colouring exercise.”

Yes! I can highly recommend colouring for fun, and I wanted to remind you of it if, like me, you have been experiencing a bit of the winter blues.