Hi Reader!
A few years ago, I got into the habit of doing adult coloring every evening before bed.
I'd simply sit down, pick some colors, and spend a little time filling in the patterns.
And after a while, I noticed something.
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I felt calmer.
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Happier.
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More peaceful.
I even slept better than I usually do. ๐ด
I couldn't really figure out why coloring was having this effect. To me, it was simply a hobby I enjoyed.
But in hindsight, I realize that it's actually a form of mindfulness practice.
Who would have guessed? ๐
๐งโโ๏ธ But Isn't Mindfulness Meditation and Yoga?
You would think so, but it turns out it's not.
While I was coloring, I wasn't thinking about:
๐ฉโ๐ป Work
๐ Mental to-do lists
๐ My schedule for tomorrow
I was simply present.
I didn't actively try to be present or practice mindfulness. Just focusing on coloring made that happen automatically.
And that's actually great news!
Because most of us struggle to be present throughout the day.
๐ Presence Can Be Easy
Sometimes we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to meditate or practice mindfulness.
After all, we hear all the time how important it is to be more present.
But for many of us, sitting still and trying not to think can feel almost impossible.
๐โโ๏ธ Modern life is busy.
๐ฒ Our phones are constantly buzzing.
๐ญ Our minds jump from one thing to the next.
Sometimes simply doing a hobby that gently holds our attention is one of the easiest ways to become more present.
๐น Linda Found The Same Thing
For Linda, a hobby that turned into mindfulness was playing the piano.
When she focused on the notes and tried to play, there wasn't much room left for worries or endless planning.
She was simply there, in the moment.
And I think that's one of the hidden gifts of hobbies.
They give our minds a place to rest. ๐
And I think we all need that sometimes.
๐ฟ You Don't Need A "Perfect" Hobby
Maybe for you it's:
๐ Reading?
๐งฉ Doing puzzles?
๐งถ Knitting?
๐ฑ Gardening?
๐จ Coloring?
The activity itself isn't the important part.
The important part is finding something that helps you step away from the noise for a little while.
๐ญ One Thought To Leave You With
You don't have to be productive every moment of the day.
Sometimes doing something simply because it brings you peace is reason enough.
And maybe that's exactly what your mind has been needing all along. ๐
Now we'd love to hear from you...
Is there a hobby that helps you forget about everything else for a little while?
๐ Hit reply and tell us. We read and reply to every answer.
Have a great week, Reader!
Founders of Courier Mind
P.S. We've put together a list of hobbies that can help you relax, recharge, and discover something new about yourself ๐
๐ฟ 30 Exciting New Hobbies to Try for Fun and Relaxationโ
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