Coloring Outside the Lines: How Adult Coloring Awakens My Inner Artist

I’ve never considered myself a visual artist. My creativity has always lived in words—poetry, plays, storytelling. But there’s something about coloring that taps into a different part of my artistry, a space where I can let go and simply be in the moment.

Coloring has been a calming ritual for me, a quiet retreat where my mind slows down, and I lose myself in the simple joy of filling in spaces with color. There’s no pressure to create something from scratch, no need for technical skills just the freedom to blend hues, shade in details, and watch a black-and-white design transform into something vibrant and uniquely mine.

As a writer, I paint with words. But when I pick up a colored pencil, I get to explore a different kind of expression. Sometimes, I stay within the lines, carefully choosing palettes that soothe me. Other times, I break the rules, layering unexpected colors together, letting intuition lead the way. It reminds me that creativity isn’t just about form it’s about feeling.

I think that’s why adult coloring has grown so popular. It’s not just about nostalgia; it’s about mindfulness. The act of coloring forces you to focus on the present, to let go of stress and perfectionism, and to simply enjoy the process. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about being good at something it’s about experiencing it.

So while I may not be a painter or illustrator, I am an artist in my own way. And sometimes, all it takes is a box of colored pencils and a beautiful design to remind me of that.

Do you color? If so, what does it do for you? Let’s talk about it in the comments.