Adult coloring books are popping up everywhere, from airports to office lunch rooms. Truth is, many people are finding that grabbing some colored pencils and scribbling away for about a half hour or so can be relaxing. We’ve taken up to the “coloring for therapy” trend most recently with our new Art & Sketch series.
Technology has hindered our brains so that we are constantly tuned in, therefore becoming restless when it should be time to wind down. Taking up a few moments of your day to color in an image or sketch your own can increase focus and decrease stress.
Take a closer look at the benefits that coloring can have on your health.
·Write to your comfort level. Meaning: give yourself a break when you need it and push yourself when you’re feeling motivated.
·Seek out sources of motivation. There are very few times when motivation hits me out of nowhere. Read a good book. Watch a good movie. Write down your goals.
·Find your space. Coffee shop. Library. Your room with the music blasting and the TV playing your favorite show. Find whatever gets you in the right headspace.
·Your first draft is just the first draft. Too many writers stress out about the first draft and they forget it’s just the first step in completing your novel. You can add to it, build from it, or toss it away completely.
·You will be rejected. Even if you write the next big hit, you’ll be rejected. Read the reviews for some of your favorite books—I guarantee someone HATED it. Not everyone will like your work, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad.
·Write advice isn’t for everyone. There’s no one-size-fits-all plan for writers. Pick and choose advice that works for you, ignore what doesn’t. Not everything will relate directly to you and your style of writing.
·It’s okay to stay in. Want a night to yourself so you can write? Don’t be afraid to cancel your plans and focus on your writing hobby. You don’t have to feel guilty about wanting to work on your writing.
·Let ideas settle. It’s tempting to jump right in to a new writing idea, but let things settle for a bit. Brainstorm. See what comes next. An idea needs to have legs and it needs to take your story somewhere. Let it grow.
·Outlines aren’t set in stone. Be flexible with your outlines. Plan if you need to, but allow yourself to explore new ideas. Let your story go in an unexpected direction.
-Kris Noel