I don’t know about you, but I spend most of January stumbling through a gloomy funk. Somehow the daily grind gets much murkier when the snow on the ground is brown and the snow in the air is coming in sideways. Simple tasks that took an hour in September, can consume an entire day in January. The workload remains the same and yet I constantly feel overwhelmed. Why?
If someone has the answer, please share, because I would really like to know.
Well, I’ll tell you , the one thing I do know is that a lot of Creative Types struggle with this same issue, so I thought I would share one of my favorite rituals for combating creative funk: coloring.
Yes, coloring. As in crayons. Seriously, try it.
Look, it’s not going to replace Zoloft, but honestly, it can help. I’m not sure if it’s the smell of the wax or the rhythmic movements of moving the crayon across the page, but there is something about the act of coloring that clears my mind and puts me at ease. On days like today, when I am feeling especially dreary and overwhelmed, I rely on simple rituals like coloring to get me through the day. I cannot praise it enough.
If you have kids then you probably already have supplies on hand, but if you are living munchkin-free, go down to the corner store and pick up a box of crayons! They cost about the same as a candy bar and can do a lot more good than you ever imagined.
And, for those who are too old for coloring books, there is good news: you can make your own custom coloring pages! Simply upload your digital photo to Crayola’s free and nifty online tool, or follow these Photoshop directions. You are two clicks and a jiffy away from super keen coloring pages. Huzzah!
Michelle L.
Mew! Kitty looks amazing! What a wonderful idea, I love the Crayola link, thank you so much. Just get thru a couple more days, then Pow! Feb will ride in on a white horse and cool things will happen.
Sollfire
My Epson printer duplicates photos in coloring book format, as well. I often use the function to supply my Baby Grands with artistic fodder. However, the link below is what brought me here, today… please check it out, ’cause I thought of you. Then, check out my blog to see that we were on somewhat of a similar plane, today. Here ya go:
http://www.gardeners.com/Woolie-Bird-Shelter/39-158,default,pd.html?SC=XNET8035&utm_campaign=cse&mr:trackingCode=1C1BBEF0-C1E2-DF11-8F9A-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA
HEATHER LOCKE!
You’re so awesome! Whata optimistic way to relieve these grouchy January days. I very much enjoyed reading it 😀
Michele Pacey
I’m right there with you. I love to colour Peaches! Thanks a million for this link. I will definitely be using it! Can you imagine creating whole personalized colouring books for all your crafty friends or all the kids in your life? That would be so great. Love it!
Tamra
You. Are. Awesome! I love reading your blog, it never fails to crack me up! I, too, get the winter blahs something fierce, and while I agree that the cool coloring pages may not replace Zoloft, I’m thinking that Zoloft AND coloring might just do the trick! And chocolate. Lots of that.
PartyMom
What a gorgeous coloring subject! I had no idea that Crayola offered such a capability. We’ve been getting more snow than usual over the last couple of days, and I love it…until I have to shovel…yuck. Here’s hoping that the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow and you can get out of your winter funk!
knuckstermom
Oh heck yes! I love to color! Something about the smooth crayon, and the motion of filling in spaces with so many choices it’s so relaxing. That and blowing bubbles. WOW! Blowing bubbles and coloring mmmmmm chilax Peaches!!!
Sus
I’m suddenly seriously jonesing for a crisp box of 64 with a sharpener in the back… And oooh, that smell! Yum!
Naomi
Way cool thing to do is to put some kind of oil on the crayon colouring page-voila instant stain glass!!
thissideofgaudy
For more than 20 years, I have always kept in the house a 64-box of Crayons that are mine alone. When they began to show any signs of wear, I would give them to the children and buy myself a new box. I rarely used them, but they were there and they were (bwwwaaaahhh haaaaa haaaaa) all for me. When this set starts to show wear, I guess I will donate them to the library or a daycare since my daughter is old enough now that she has purchased her own set of “all mine” colors and the boys are too “grown-up” for that sort of thing. Keep on coloring, it was sometimes the only form of sanity in this house. 😉
Anonymous
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article
and also the rest of the website is extremely good.
My blog :: las vegas casinos