A little periwinkle, a little magenta, a little cornflower...

We talk on Scribble Chicks frequently about writer's block and how to cope when our minds seem on burn out from story-producing or story-brainstorming stress. 

Might I suggest crayons?

Think about it. There's something truly magical about this time of year, when the aroma of brand new school supplies linger in the aisles of Target ;)

No really. I have a problem, or maybe a fetish, for school supplies. And office supplies. Sticky notes and polka dotted pencils and highlighters, OH MY! 

Yes, this is my drawer at work after I dropped fifty bucks at Office Depot....

Yes, that's a penguin pencil sharper, owl sticky notes, and little containers for miscellaneous drama. And polka dotted pencils and new pens in orange, purple, pink and blue and heart sticky notes with swirls and tablets ::SWOON::

(and yes, my job rocks because I can wear holey jeans)  ;)

Anyway, my point is, sometimes a little art can go a long way. I'm not saying breaking out the crayons and coloring book is going to magically make your story problems vanish or even cause you to have a great brainstorming session while you take the mental break. It might or it might not. 

But the point is, it's a mental break. 

And we all need those. 

(mamas of the world, can I get an AMEN)

At work the past week, I've been ordered (yes, ordered) to spend large amounts of time coloring a plat map with colored pencils. 

SCORE!!!!

And it's been the most relaxing, stress-reducing, enjoyable time I've had in a while. Just me, the conference room table, a pack of pencils, my penguin sharpener, and my map. The only sound is the air conditioner and the scratching of my pencil against paper. I don't think about ANYTHING when I'm coloring. Not what else I have to do at work. Not about my novel deadlines or the fact that ants have been invading my home. Not about my to-do list that's multiplying like rabbits before my eyes or about my pending divorce or about the fact that my baby just started Kindergarten.

Just aqua and periwinkle and violet and burnt orange and fuchsia.

And hey, my map turned out pretty awesome ;)

I think there's something to letting your over-worked artistic side (writing) breathe and letting your under-worked artistic side (drawing, coloring, painting, sewing, designing, constructing, etc.) shine for a minute.

Hey, even if all you get out of it is a deep breath and a break, you're still coming out ahead :)

And seriously - who doesn't love to color????