For Christmas, I got my daughter one of the mandala coloring books with some colored pencils. They are reputed to be the big the big stress-relief item of the season. Supposedly coloring them is a relaxing activity. Since my daughter is typically quite stressed out, I figured she needed something relaxing to do.
Apparently, it didn't work out quite as planned.
She sat on the sofa coloring one of the pages. After about an hour, I could tell she was beginning to get frustrated. "Why does this thing have to take so long to color? It's making me angry!"
She frowned and colored some more.
Twenty minutes later, she was finished. "I can't take it anymore," she said as she tossed the coloring book and pencils to the side. "This thing is stressing me out!"
Of course it is. Hey, you tried!
ReplyDeleteI did. She's going to have to find her own de-stressor!
DeleteI actually like coloring. My mom got me some coloring books when I was sad and it succeeded in distracted me. My friend did the same. I'm not sure about the stress relief though.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you need a lot of patience to complete one of those pages.
Deletelol who needs all that coloring stress
ReplyDeleteYes. That's just way too much stress!
DeleteGet her opinion before buying her something.
ReplyDeleteUsually I do. But this was a gift surprise. Guess I didn't do so well on this one. ;-)
Deletethose colouring books for adults are such a craze! I was just talking with my publisher that we should publish the TOLKIEN and GAME OF THRONES ones :)
ReplyDeleteAdults must be wanting to relive their childhood days. I think your idea is a good one!
DeleteHi, Sherry!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Mrs. Shady smokes to reduce stress. I bought her The Mandala Coloring Book thinking it would be a healthier choice. Mrs. Shady put the book through the shredder, bought rolling papers and smoked it! :)
Happy Tuesday, dear friend Sherry!
Haha! Your Mrs. Shady sounds like my daughter. Hopefully my girl won't resort to smoking. I don't think she will. She can't stand the smell of cigarettes.
DeleteHappy Tuesday, Shady!
lol. I looked at one of those coloring books in the bookstore the other day. There were a lot of small details to color...I put it back on the shelf. I feel her angst. (-:
ReplyDeleteLots of details! I think you need a lot of time to do them.
DeleteThey have thier moments colouring books.. patience is required :)
ReplyDeletebtw .. I got a lovely gift just before Christmas.. from one Sherry Ellis!
my gift arrived...and we love it! little man was well pleased.
amazing book Sherry:) what a talented woman you are
So glad you got it and that little man is pleased!
DeleteI agree - patience is required for those coloring books!
So sorry the de-stressing coloring book didn't work as planned. Maybe next time it will have just the right effect.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry the de-stressing coloring book didn't work as planned. Maybe next time it will have just the right effect.
ReplyDeleteShe just needs to do it in small time intervals - not try to do it all in one sitting.
DeleteI have one of those books. It does not de-stress me but does not have a bad effect either. Some people find those books to relieve anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would work well on me. I have too much to do, and I think it would drive me nuts to spend so much time on one little thing.
DeleteI can understand that there are people who might find them stressful. Some of them look so intricate--especially if you don't want to do out of the lines. ;)
ReplyDeleteIf I did one of those, I'd use one color and just scribble across the entire page. ;-)
DeleteShe's not letting her mind go while she's coloring. It's only a stress reducer if it gets your mind off the stress.
ReplyDeleteShe's focusing on how much time it takes. Same problem I'd have.
DeleteMy daughter got me one as a surprise Christmas gift... it's filled with pictures and quotes based on The Little Prince. I look at it, smile, and put it back down again.
ReplyDeleteHaha! That's probably what I would do if I got one of those!
DeleteSherry, I think I'd be like your daughter... I get impatient too xox
ReplyDeleteYou and me both!
DeleteMaking someone to do same thing again and again will make little agitated. I can relate that to myself. Happy New Year Sherry!
ReplyDeleteI have trouble with that, too. Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteI can relate to your daughter, being stressed to begin with then trying that colouring book which stressed her more. It;s a bit like my doctor giving me medication which knew it had side effects that can make my Epilepsy worse.
ReplyDeleteHope your daughter can relax more, but at least she tried.
Yvonne.
She probably needs yoga.
DeleteHahaha...firstly, I love the title and then it made me laugh out loud I almost woke up my daughter from her nap for the mandala coloring book thing..I tried those and I get what your daughter means. The idea of being restricted for me I suppose haha and the need to sharpen those colored pencils when the sharpeners have gone missing. Happy holidays Sherry and Have a Happy New Year's Eve!
ReplyDeleteI just laughed out loud ;D I love these coloring books, but I do find myself doing it when I'm on the phone or watching a TV show. I guess otherwise I wouldn't find it productive enough either :)
ReplyDeleteA happy and healthy New Year to you and your family :)
Lots of hugs,
Beate
Sherry, I do believe the adult coloring books are really meant for adults to relive and reflect on their childhood. Encourage your daughter to just color during commercials. Coloring is meant to be relaxing and fun whether one does it for 5 minutes or for longer stretches. I'm currently working on getting a coloring book to market, and I tried to simplify the designs. But I'm sure I'll receive comments like the designs weren't complicated enough. LOL Happy New Year, Sherry and family. :-)
ReplyDelete