Adult Coloring Books and anxiety

[Ihadcancer 321]

I've always loved to color and with four kids, now grown, I got to do that and play with Play-doh for many years. 

Recently I saw all these adult coloring books and hubby got me several plus coloring pencils for Christmas.  I now have a bed table, other books, loads of sharpeners, thin tipped markers and a special goose necked light that I can clip on my nightstand and shine on my pictures. 

I've been coloring every night for a number of months and have found that by time I put it away at night, I'm totally relaxed and can sleep quite well.  The only problem I've noticed is several nights I'd glance at the clock and it was midnight!  

Anyone else tried coloring as a relaxation technique?  

Diane

[Pinky92 44]

Diane, I've been coloring my entire life. I love it. I'm also a prolific cross stitcher, which is in many respects, a lot like coloring. I love them both.

When my mother was sick, at the end of her life, we were STILL coloring together. Her Minnie Mouse is worth more to me than anything hanging in any art museum, anywhere. 

Enjoy yourself!!

[Ihadcancer 321]

I used to crochet and knit but chemo left me with permanent neuropathy so I cannot feel the tension in the thread to crochet.  I only knit simple things now and not very often.  I haven't cross stitched in many years. MANY years.  My Mamaw Weldy taught me everything except quilting.  By time I was old enough, we'd moved out of state and I only saw her a few times a year.  I have her sewing machine and thimble. 

That's so sweet about your mother.  

Do you have a Dollar Tree? A friend said she found adult coloring books there.  Jim's been buying me the one sided / card stock and perforated page books.  Those are NOT a dollar!  EEK 

[Pinky92 44]

Yes, I do love the Dollar Tree, but you're right, not everything is always a dollar! I get my coloring books at Walmart, I don't spent a lot of money on them, just kids books and crayolas. I spend a lot on my sewing supplies, so i really try not to spend too much on anything else. My husband bought me a sewing stand for my big projects and it is awesome, don't have to handle the fabric at all, stays clean and tight on the roller. Coloring and cross stitching take a lot of detailed concentration so they keep my anxious mind from wandering. I'm working on an old fashioned Nativity scene right now. 

You were luck to have someone to teach you all those wondering skills which seem to be dying off sadly. I love to sew, started at about age 9. My older sister taught me so much. 

 

Enjoy your coloring, you should frame something and hang it, I put my finished "artwork" in all sorts of places, I love them!!

 

 

 

 

 

[Ihadcancer 321]

I used to sew all the time.  I loved making dresses for our daughter and stuffed animals for the children.  My sewing machine is in my husband's man cave and he's a 'collector' so I feel overwhelmed in his rooms.  He's not a hoarder, but collects so much stuff. I was just thinking today of all the clocks that have to be turned forward tomorrow.  Last time I counted, it was 28 clocks!  

[Pinky92 44]

Tomorrow?? We spring forward?? Where have I been???

[Ihadcancer 321]

We spring forward at 2 a.m. Sunday morning but I found years ago that if we 'lived' Saturday on the new time, it was easier on Sunday.  Jim and I teach 1st and 2nd graders in Sunday School and are there by 8:30, which will be harder this week.  So, I'll move from room to room tomorrow and we'll eat all our meals and go to bed on the 'new' time.  

[Alexandria 13]

They don't go forward until the 26th