'Coloring calms me down'
If your child ever says, "Coloring calms me down", go buy ALL the coloring books. Then sit back in amazement as you realize that he/she came to realization on their own. *mind blown emoji* I wish I had that kind of insight about myself at the age of 8. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed coloring and took part in the adult coloring book craze (more to come on that). I guess I can't be surprised RX has picked up the hobby. He prefers coloring books where he doesn’t have to guess what color the picture is supposed to be. Team logos are specific colors and he is a sports fanatic. These are perfect - NFL/NBA.
Coloring? It seems so elementary..
True, but coloring gives you a sense of feeling grounded. Your mind is allowed to just focus on crayon (or whatever coloring tool) to paper. Other stressing thoughts, sort of, float away. RX is on the computer all day as we have chosen digital learning during the pandemic. Before bed and after a long day you can find him in the middle of the floor somewhere coloring.
DL always wants to be included. Love that he can associate activities with their calming properties at his age.
When he takes the time to color before bed I do notice he is less agitated from the fatigue of the day. Even as a child, you are expected to behave, clean up, pay attention in school (digitally to make it interesting), keep a schedule and the list goes on. OK, fine, that’s what they are supposed to do, but let’s be real, this is even difficult for an adult. When you have to be ‘on’ all day, turning ‘off’ at night is not always a flip of a switch. RX (along with most of the world) has to gradually come down or a crash and burn is inevitable. I want to do anything to prevent a crying fit or anxiety attack. I’m happy he has an outlet and is learning self care at an early age.
For me..
Recently, I started leaving a coloring sheet on the kitchen island. After I make the kids a snack or as I cook dinner, I color. A few minutes of a mindless activity helps reset for the next task.
A pen moving across a piece of paper is so soothing. Doodling during college lectures is probably the only thing that got me through (I kid, I kid!). Each one of these blog posts that you read will be written in my notebook first. The activity then becomes a double outlet for me. The thoughts flow out of my head and they are memorialized as the pen just races across the paper. It’s a wonderful feeling. I've even started dabbling in bullet journaling and hand lettering. They are both very soothing and I'm determined to squeeze out any creativity hiding inside of me.
I've always loved writing my name. Ask my mom, I 'signed' our dining room table as a kid! Anyway, learning hand lettering is my new favorite thing. Grab this book and these pens and try it!
Give me some of your wind down ideas (kid or adult friendly). Don’t have any? Go grab a coloring book *wink*
XO,
