Confessions of an Adult Coloring Enthusiast

My first memory of school isn’t learning my ABCs or making friends on the playground — it’s my preschool teacher complimenting me to my mother about my coloring skills.

“She’s so neat,” she told my mom. “She stays in the lines and everything!”

Now, staying within the lines isn’t something that comes naturally to most preschoolers. It’s a skill that usually has to be taught and practiced.

But apparently, I was doing it instinctively, already showing signs of the attention to detail that would later serve me well in design work.

Fast forward about twenty years. I was going through boxes of childhood memories when I discovered my old coloring books tucked away like forgotten treasures.

On impulse, I grabbed my colored pencils and crayons and went to town on whatever the first book happened to be about.

Oh my goodness, I had so much fun!

The satisfaction of choosing colors, the meditative rhythm of shading, the simple pleasure of watching a black-and-white page transform into something vibrant and personal — it all came flooding back.

I haven’t looked back since. I’ve been coloring regularly for years now, and it’s become one of my favorite creative outlets.

These days, I actually get to color as part of my job at the preschool where I work.

In fact, it’s my absolute favorite part of the day.

I always make coloring sheets for my class… and one extra for myself. Then I sit at those impossibly low tables on those ridiculously short chairs with my assortment of colored pencils and have a merry time coloring right alongside my students.

There’s something wonderfully equalizing about sitting knee-to-knee with toddlers, all of us completely absorbed in the same simple, joyful activity.

The kids don’t think it’s weird that their teacher colors too — to them, it’s perfectly natural that everyone would want to participate in something so obviously fun.

Maybe we adults could learn something from their acceptance of joy wherever we find it.

With my fashion and interior design backgrounds, coloring has become a chance to experiment with new color combinations and work on textures and motifs.

When we color Barbie or princess pages at school, I always add textures to the clothes, patterns to the accessories, or sometimes even draw in additional accessories that weren’t included in the original design.

It’s like a mini design challenge: How can I make this simple line drawing more interesting while still keeping it appropriate for the coloring format?

The kids often look over at my page and ask, “How did you make her dress look like leopard skin?” or “Can you show me how to make her hair look curly like that?”

Those moments of sharing technique and creative problem-solving are pure gold.

When adult coloring books first exploded onto the scene a few years ago, I’ll admit my initial reaction was a bit skeptical.

I thought it was somewhat silly that we’d reached a point where grownups needed specially marketed coloring books to give themselves permission to enjoy an activity I’d never stopped loving.

It felt like we’d become a nation of grown-up children who needed official validation for simple pleasures.

But as I watched the phenomenon grow and heard people talking about the benefits they were experiencing, my perspective shifted.

Now I completely understand the stress-relief factor that draws so many adults to coloring.

It really is wonderfully de-stressing!

The focused attention required pushes worries and anxieties to the background, creating a kind of moving meditation that’s accessible to people who might struggle with traditional mindfulness practices.

I think coloring books serve the same function as crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or word searches — they’re engaging activities that occupy the analytical mind while allowing the creative spirit to play.

The difference is that coloring appeals specifically to people who are more visually and artistically inclined.

Whether you’re a lifelong coloring enthusiast like me or someone discovering it for the first time, there are genuine benefits to this seemingly simple activity:

Stress Relief: The repetitive motions and focused concentration help activate the relaxation response, lowering cortisol levels and promoting calm.

Mindfulness Practice: Coloring requires present-moment awareness that naturally quiets mental chatter and racing thoughts.

Creative Expression: Even within the confines of pre-drawn lines, you’re making aesthetic choices about color, pattern, and style that express your personal taste.

Fine Motor Skills: The precise movements required for detailed coloring help maintain and improve hand-eye coordination.

Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a coloring page provides a tangible result and satisfaction that’s often missing from our digital-heavy work lives.

Social Connection: Coloring can be a shared activity that brings people together without the pressure of conversation. Especially if you have little kids.

Consider a coloring marathon with Junior during the next rainy day — winner gets their favorite dessert!

There’s something deeply meditative about the rhythmic motion of coloring.

Unlike writing, which engages the verbal and analytical parts of the brain, coloring primarily activates the visual and spatial processing centers.

This creates a different kind of creative flow — one that’s more intuitive and less intellectually demanding.

The hand-eye coordination required is similar to other contemplative practices like knitting or gardening.

You’re engaged enough to stay present but not so challenged that you become stressed or frustrated.

If you’re new to adult coloring or returning to it after many years, here are some suggestions to enhance your experience:

Invest in quality supplies: Good colored pencils, fine-tip markers, or gel pens make a significant difference in both the process and the final result.

You don’t need professional-grade materials but avoid the cheapest options.

Choose appropriate designs: Start with simpler patterns if you’re a beginner, then work up to more intricate designs as your confidence and skill develop.

Create a comfortable setup: Good lighting, a stable surface, and comfortable seating will help you enjoy longer coloring sessions without strain.

Don’t worry about perfection: The goal is enjoyment and relaxation, not artistic mastery. Embrace “happy accidents” and unexpected color combinations.

Experiment with techniques: Try blending colors, creating gradients, adding patterns within sections, or incorporating different textures.

Make it social: Consider joining a coloring group or starting one with friends. Many libraries and community centers host adult coloring events.

One of the beautiful things about coloring is that it’s genuinely enjoyable for all ages.

The benefits I experience as an adult — stress relief, creative expression, meditative focus — are the same ones that help children develop patience, concentration, and artistic confidence.

It’s one of the few activities that can bring multiple generations together on equal footing.

Grandparents, parents, and children can all sit around the same table, working on their individual pages while enjoying each other’s company.

Speaking of bringing joy to all ages, I want you to experience some of that de-stressing, creative fun for yourself.

That’s why I’ve created several free coloring pages that you can download and enjoy.

I’ve designed pages with different themes and complexity levels:

Whether you’re looking for something simple and relaxing or more detailed and challenging, there’s something for every skill level and interest.

I want you to de-stress and have fun, so I’m providing a link below that will take you to my Fun & Activities page where you can download one or all of the free coloring pages.

Print them out on good quality paper, gather your favorite coloring supplies, and give yourself permission to play.

And please, consider sending me pictures of your finished pages! I’d love to see what color combinations you choose and how you make each design your own.

There’s something so personal and unique about how different people approach the same line drawing.

National Coloring Book Day is really about celebrating one of life’s simple, accessible pleasures.

In a world that often feels complicated and stressful, there’s profound value in activities that bring us back to a state of playful focus.

Coloring reminds us that creativity doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. Sometimes the most satisfying art is also the most approachable.

Sometimes the best stress relief comes not from complex solutions but from simple actions repeated with mindful attention.

If you’ve been curious about adult coloring but felt silly about trying it, consider this your official permission to play.

If you used to love coloring as a child but abandoned it because you thought you’d “outgrown” it, maybe it’s time to reconsider.

There’s no age limit on activities that bring joy, promote relaxation, and allow for creative expression. If it feels good and doesn’t hurt anyone, why not embrace it?

As someone who’s been coloring for decades, I can tell you that staying within the lines isn’t really the point — though my preschool teacher might disagree!

The real value lies in the process: the choosing, the focusing, the creating, the completing.

Even though I stay perfectly within the lines, it’s okay to color outside them too. Maybe you just happen to be more abstract in your artistic tastes.

Sometimes I add elements that weren’t there before. The beauty of coloring is that you get to decide what rules to follow and which ones to break.

That’s a pretty good metaphor for life, actually. We need enough structure to create something meaningful, but enough freedom to make it uniquely our own.

So on National Coloring Book Day, I encourage you to pick up some colored pencils, download one of my free pages (or grab a coloring book from the store), and rediscover the simple pleasure of putting color to paper.

Your inner child — and your stress levels — will thank you.