4 Reasons Why You Want an Adult Coloring Book

It’s ok, we can all stop being ashamed: the secret’s out. The hottest thing in bookstores in an adult coloring book. From NPR to The New York Times to Good Housekeeping,  the buzz lately is all about surging sales of coloring books…for grown-ups.

Is this a return to childhood, as may be evidenced by the existence of adult summer camp or adult preschool? Because you had me at s’mores and naps.

I’d seen beautiful mandala images for adults to color since I’m connected to a really excellent mandala artist on Facebook. It seems like after that, I saw coloring books for adults everywhere–on the news, on table displays at books shops, on my Instagram feed.

I was pretty excited to be sent the new coloring book from Peter Deligdisch. Peter is a YouTube sensation with videos totaling over six million views, and is the illustrator of COLOR ME CRAZY: Insanely Detailed Creations to Challenge Your Skills and Blow Your Mind. His new book is an advanced adult coloring book designed to bring out the creativity (and OCD) in everyone. It features 50 original hand-drawn works of art, and will put all of your colored pencil skills to the test.

I used markers for really vibrant colors, but I’m going to sneak into my kids’ art supplies for some colored pencils. Crayons won’t get it for these intricately drawn images. You need a steady hand and a drawing item with a fine point.

Need a reason to get a coloring book for yourself? Here are four:

Reconnect with your creativity. We are so caught up in being busy that our modern lives allow us little time to be creative for creativity’s sake. Take that back with some coloring time.

Release some stress. Repetitive tasks like knitting and other crafts can be a way to relax and get your mind off your daily grind. The good thing about coloring is you don’t have to be too creative and you can’t drop a stitch.

Make something beautiful. I can’t draw or paint, but I can fill in some shapes with vibrant color and have my own little masterpiece.

Free your mind. When I’m coloring, part of my mind is free to think about other things. I’ve found I have bursts of creative though similar to when I’m walking my dog or in the shower, my two main “Thinking Times.”

Two lucky Midlife Boulevard readers will win a copy of Color Me Crazy. Just leave me a comment below. Have you colored lately?

You must be 18 or over. Shipping to US addresses only. Void where prohibited. One entry per household, please. Drawing and notifying winners on September 4.