Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore

I am intrigued by the recent popularity of adults purchasing crayons and coloring books. Not just any coloring books but those that are on sale for adults to purchase for themselves. It seems some person came up with the idea and proved it to be true that the nation is under stress and strain and the answer is sitting for several minutes or more coloring, not just simple pictures but intricate designs that keep you relaxed and calm to help you forget your cares.

Libraries and other outlets are urging you to take some time and join them in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. They have specific times when you can join other people who come to color and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a cookie or two. It’s their belief that you find a group of folks who have the same woes you do and find sitting with a social group chatting and coloring relieves you of your tension.

They offer their own coloring books, you can color part of a page and if you tire of that you don’t have to finish it, just move on to another page which might just be half done from some other person working on it before you. You aren’t expected to stay within the lines if you don’t feel like doing it, you just use up your extra nervous energy in how you feel by relaxing your spine and brain.

We are told there are even groups now that meet on a regular basis in homes and instead of playing bridge, they color. It has become a regular club. Whether some of these “works” are good enough to be framed and hung in a special place in their homes, it is suggested that those with an A-plus design can also be given as gifts to those we love or friends, etc. These accomplishments are pictures of intricate design colored according to descriptions that come with the product purchased and colored according to directions that come with the picture. That is how popular this new hobby has become.

Or if it measures up to what your son or daughter placed on the refrigerator door, yours might be there right along with one of theirs. I’m told retirees are very fond of the new hobby.

I haven’t joined the craze, not enough time, but stress and strain just the same. When I color with crayons with my little nieces and nephews, I like to stick with the simple pictures, like animals, school houses and that type of simple figure... there aren’t any instructions as to choice of colors or if I have to stay within the lines. I like to think that is less instructions as to how to color, etc.

The next time you go shopping, stop by the magazine rack and if there are some adult coloring books take a look and for those who are reading this and don’t have a clue what all I’m talking about they will get some ideas. I even have a daily calendar page-by-page each day for my desk and on the reverse side of the day there are now at times a miniature design to be colored.