Coloring Outside the Lines

Recently, I've picked up coloring again. One of my favorite Tiktokers pointed out that you don't have to sit and Do Nothing in order to meditate - that in fact, so long as your mind is free to wander, you can be doing anything you damn well please. 

This idea tickled me, and since I know meditation is good for me, I went out and found myself a couple printable coloring sheets and sat down with my color pencils to let my brain wander and make the colors go on the page. It was lovely, and I ended up letting myself just exist for an hour while I did that. Now, I don't consider myself an "artist" per say, and nothing I make will end up in a gallery or will ever be worth anything in a monetary sense. According to some, that makes it a waste of time. 

But... here's the thing. 

That logic only makes sense if the only value in an activity is whether or not you profit financially. That's one way of looking at things, but if you ask me it's a depressing way to think. 

I think it's a near universal experience at this point that at some juncture of your life, you will be hesitant to partake of an activity or perform an action or buy an item because you're worried that it will appear immature. Irresponsible. 

Childish. 

For a long time, this was how I thought about coloring. I remembered it fondly and I knew that I enjoyed it. When I had the chance to color I did so and delighted in it. But going out of my way to give myself the supplies with which to do so regularly? Waste of money. Waste of time. An irresponsible use of resources. 

So that was the sticking point for a long time, for me at least. I was afraid of being perceived by others as irresponsible and immature because I was doing something that made me happy. Over the last few years, I've learned better. Doing things that make me happy is good for my mental health, and anyone criticizing such activities because they think it looks childish clearly doesn't care nearly so much about whether or not I'm happy and healthy as they do about "keeping up appearances." 

I'm here to give you permission to break out that coloring book you like. To indulge in some crafts. To buy some nostalgic toys, or eat your favorite candies. "Childishness" is neither a measurable quality of a thing, nor a negative thing. Who cares if random strangers at the cafe think you're wasting your time? You're sipping a beverage (hydrating!) and nibbling a snack (fuel for the meatsack!) and coloring in shapes on a piece of paper (taking care of your mental health!) and if that bothers them then clearly their priorities and yours don't line up, do they?  

There. Be free, little implings. Revel in the things that bring you joy, because goodness knows our capitalist overlords don't give a fuck about your mental health. You got this. I believe in you.