The Practice
When our mind is engaging in anxious time-traveling (i.e., obsessively thinking about the past or the future rather than the present), or our bodies feel overwhelmed or understimulated, sometimes the best thing we can do is put pen (or crayon … or marker … or paint brush) to paper.
It sounds simple, but it is amazing how grounding the act of coloring can be. The tactile feel of the utensil as it fills in previously blank spaces, allowing a shape, a scene, or a design to unfold, can be a rhythmic and meditative endeavor. Plus, we live in a golden era of coloring pages, with plenty of easily printable and engaging designs. It is an activity that can be captivating and soothing for people of all ages and artistic abilities.
The Language
I can see that you are feeling ______ [sad, anxious, upset]. Maybe we can pause for a minute and just do something simple to help find a little ______ [balance, calm, joy]. Can I show you these coloring sheets I have? They have intricate designs which make them a little more challenging and interesting than other coloring options. Let’s give it a try! You can do as much or as little as you want to.
It sounds like it might be helpful to bring our focus back to the present moment. One way I like to do this is by coloring _________ [animals, mandalas, etc]. Would you like to try that?
There is a lot going on right now. Sometimes it’s helpful to slow down and ground ourselves in this moment by focusing on something simple, like coloring. If you’re willing to try that, let’s each pick a page to color, set a five-minute timer, and then just focus on our senses while we color. For example, notice the feel of the pencil in your hand and the contrast of the colors on the paper.
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