Peace of Mind Organizing

How do you relax?

2 September 2015

I think regular rest and relaxation is very, very important. It’s so easy to get caught up in work and chores and family and never take time for yourself. That’s particularly true, I think, when you struggle with disorganization and feel like you should spend all your spare time “getting organized.” (That’s a fallacy, of course.)

I think it’s wonderful when we can have some sort of outlet that allows us to relax. That can be going to movies, doing crafts, meeting with friends, exercising. For the last ten years or so, that outlet for me has been knitting, which I can do while I watch tv. But in the past year or so, I’ve been knitting less and less. I’m not sure why; I think I just needed a break. I suspect I’ll get back to it when the weather gets colder.

Recently, I’ve hopped on board the coloring craze. I had no idea that coloring books were being produced for grown ups. Their designs are more intricate than what we remembered coloring as kids. I visited a friend who had a coloring book she kept for relaxation, I jumped at the chance to color again.

When I got home, I went on Amazon and bought a coloring book called Creative Coloring Inspirations, by Valentina Harper and a set of Prismacolor Premier colored pencils.

Here are some of the favorite pages I’ve colored. Even though my husband makes fun of me a little, I find it very relaxing to consider the colors to use and to gently color in the shapes. I also love that I get a little twinge of satisfaction when I finish a page.

(These are all done with Prismacolor Premier pencils, though I’ve just ordered a small set of Tombow art markers to play around with.)

I’ll be starting a new knitting project soon, I’m sure. But in the meantime, I’ll continue with my coloring. Yesterday, I ordered Sonic Blooms from St. Louis artist (and friend) Kat Kissak’s etsy shop. And next month I think I’m going to order this Secret New York coloring book when it comes out.

What about you? What activity relaxes you?

Tagged with: coloring, crafts, happiness, relaxation, self-care, self care

Comments