I love that there is such a variety of coloring books for adults. I was working in a bookstore when the Secret Garden came out and and we could barely keep it on the shelves. Everyone was interested in a fun, creative way to unwind at the end of a long day. Or, just looking for a fun hobby to pick up.
What caught me off guard were the few people who came in asking for the special pens and pencils associated with the coloring book line. No, that's not the part that surprised me. These people would be offended that we didn't stock the accessories for the book. Regular pens and pencils wouldn't work, they were on a hunt. Suddenly, it wasn't enough to relax and color, they were undertaking this as a serious project.
To each their own.
When you tell someone, don't take it too seriously, first consider what you're truly asking of them. Just because a majority may see something one way - like coloring as a relaxation tool - doesn't mean that everyone should. As long as we each have outlets that truly inspire rest and recovery from our lives, who are we to judge one another's choices?
Anyway, while I enjoy coloring, I'm also a very critical person. By that I mean self-critical. I do a lot of comparing myself to those around me. If my coloring is not up to the standards of my fellow, I may just stop. I have a perfectionist side to me that listens very closely to my inner critic. It takes a lot of intentionality and discipline to continue with something that may not immediately match the end vision in my mind.
So while for me, it's not coloring, I do take the task of having fun very seriously. I have a great guy in my life, who makes me laugh even when my day has taken a downward turn and I've given up for the evening. He encourages my silly side and doesn't allow me to give into that spiral.
So however you do it, don't take life to seriously.
What caught me off guard were the few people who came in asking for the special pens and pencils associated with the coloring book line. No, that's not the part that surprised me. These people would be offended that we didn't stock the accessories for the book. Regular pens and pencils wouldn't work, they were on a hunt. Suddenly, it wasn't enough to relax and color, they were undertaking this as a serious project.
To each their own.
When you tell someone, don't take it too seriously, first consider what you're truly asking of them. Just because a majority may see something one way - like coloring as a relaxation tool - doesn't mean that everyone should. As long as we each have outlets that truly inspire rest and recovery from our lives, who are we to judge one another's choices?
Anyway, while I enjoy coloring, I'm also a very critical person. By that I mean self-critical. I do a lot of comparing myself to those around me. If my coloring is not up to the standards of my fellow, I may just stop. I have a perfectionist side to me that listens very closely to my inner critic. It takes a lot of intentionality and discipline to continue with something that may not immediately match the end vision in my mind.
So while for me, it's not coloring, I do take the task of having fun very seriously. I have a great guy in my life, who makes me laugh even when my day has taken a downward turn and I've given up for the evening. He encourages my silly side and doesn't allow me to give into that spiral.
So however you do it, don't take life to seriously.
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