Today was a stressful kind of day. It’s Sunday and I served at church today. I know what you’re thinking. How could that be stressful, right? Well, the thing is my ex and I still go to the same church. Now, I love my church and my pastor is a gifted preacher, but I have thought a thousand times over about trying to find a different church in the past few months. But my church is home. They are my family. Even with the ex who I don’t know how be around at this point. I miss him so terribly much, but I don’t know what to say to him when we’re around other people. I can’t say all the things I’m thinking, so it’s just awkward hellos. Then we get home and it is WWIII trying to get my kids to clean their rooms.
So, after all that, what do I do? I go get on one of my favorite pairs of fuzzy comfy pajama pants and I grab my coloring book, or pages I printed off, and the sharpies! I know. I know. Coloring at my age? Sometimes you just have to release your inner child and let them take over.
I know you’ve probably heard that coloring can help to reduce stress in adults. I know it sounds a bit silly, but I love to color! Coloring really can be calming. As my focus shifts to concentrate on the page in front of me the stresses of the day starts to fade away for awhile. The tensions in my muscles lessen as I focus on trying to color inside the lines in all those tiny shapes. I love the way the colors come alive as I pour them out onto the page. And you’re left with the sense of accomplishment of having created something beautiful! I sprinkled this page with a few of the coloring pages I’ve done lately.
Sometimes when I’m coloring the boys will come sit at the table with me and color too! They love using my sharpies, which I only let them do when I’m with them. Nothing says I’m a mommy like family coloring time! LOL! But I love that we can enjoy that together.
Where do I get adult coloring pages? I have a few coloring books that I bought in stores. You can find them in most any store really. You can find tons of printable pages if you search adult coloring pages on Pinterest or just on the internet. I have a file folder labeled “Mommy Coloring Pages” that I put the pages in as I print them offline. That way I have them handy when I have a morning like this one. Just today I learned about another source for adult coloring pages! At church this morning one of my friends showed me an adult coloring app on her phone! I never thought to look for an app on the phone. I of course downloaded it as soon as I got home! The phone app is fun, and easy if you’re out of the house and need something to center yourself. But like with most things I prefer the paper version.
This one I did on the coloring app on my phone.
Tip: Don’t forget a piece of cardboard or something to put under your paper or you’ll be scrubbing marker off your table.
Godspeed,
Mollie <3
Only God can heal a broken heart, but there are things we can do to help foster self healing. This post is part of my series 31 Days of Self Healing. You can find the rest of the posts for this series here.
I’m going to have to try out this app. I’ve come to love coloring too. But I haven’t colored in awhile. I’m going to have to pull them out now! 🙂 Wish we could color together friend.
Me too, Tara! It’s a fun app. There is a new free one every day!
I love my adult coloring book. I will need to check out the app.
I love it, and the kids all like to use the app as well!
Beautiful coloring, Mollie! Our students (junior high and high school) love the adult coloring pages.
Thank you, Anita!
I’ve been tempted to buy a grown up color book!!! You make it look so pleasurable!! Did the boys get their rooms cleaned?
You should buy one. They are so fun!
They did get their rooms clean. Not that lasted very long. LOL
I LOVE coloring… and it really is proven to be so therapeutic, too! I’m praying for you, Mollie! I can’t imagine how hard that must be… but I am glad that you have a church that feels like home and family!
Thank you so much, Karrilee!
I have a friend who just created and published her own Christian coloring book. It has scripture on every page, with the theme of who we are in Christ. The idea is to color, relax and meditate on who we are to the Lord.
Ooo, that sounds lovely! What’s the name of the book? And your friend? I’ll have to check it out!
I should pick mine back up. I have so many of those books and I’m just not using them. Thank you for the reminder.
You absolutely should. They help relieve some of the stress for awhile.
There is healing in art whether coloring or painting or something else. I have one adult coloring book that is all about gardens and things you find in them. It’s been awhile since I’ve done anything. You make me want to get back to it. 🙂
Blessings!
Yes, any art form can be therapeutic! You should get it out and color a page! You should give one to your daughter. Might help get her mind off what she’s going through at least for a little while. And you could color together. 🙂