Sunday 1 March 2015

Colour Therapy - Grown Up Colouring


'Countryside to Colour' colouring pad





Happy March!


It is a lovely day for colouring. Adult colouring or colour therapy colouring books are becoming extremely popular in our society. With health benefits from mindfulness practice to relieving stress, it is no wonder more and more people are turning to colouring in our fast paced lives.

I have yet to buy my first colour therapy book, however I began discovering colouring before I was aware of these new books and their health benefits.

Several years ago, I had become interested in watercolour paints and bought a colouring pads with detailed countryside images that could be easily filled in with paints or crayons. After finding one just for colouring I had completed a few images but soon had lost interest.

When becoming ill last year, I was keeping myself creative while I was recovering so I could keep my mind off being ill and focus on something that I could gain a sense of achievement from. I found my colouring pad and would listen to music, finding myself miles away as the time flew colouring beautiful images of the countryside and I think that is simply the idea of colour therapy.

As I did more and more, I began to create a small gallery on the spare bedroom wardrobe in which I decided to recouperate in, so make me feel more cheerful and give something for people who came to stay, a chance to look at and admire.


It's been a great way for me to see how far I have come in my recovery, particularly when I have matched the seasons to my mood. I'm not much of an artistic drawer, but there is something satisfying about colouring in a great drawing no matter what your ability is.





'Countryside to Colour' - colouring pad

Saturday 14 February 2015

Just the way you are: 5 feel-good songs on Valentines Day






Sometimes the date February 14th can be a really downer for singletons. Couples kissing, holding hands, giving and receiving chocolates and the restaurants are filled with love-struck diners.

I doesn't have to be all that bad. I'm making the most of being single today. I can do what I want when I want and still do loving things for people even without romantic intentions. This morning I posted on Twitter my heart shaped toast that I have been making for my family for countless Valentines Day breakfasts', then later I will be making some cupcakes with heart shaped marshmallows I bought from Sainsbury's before winding the day up with a cooked meal I will be whipping up for my parents and I.


As well as doing other things for people, Valentines Day is a good time to treat yourself. I'll definitely be snuggling up under a blanket to watch the classic rom-com Valentines Day (2009) but also I have created a feel-good list of music that make any single person feel a bit more loved.

Here are my top five from my list of 50:


(1) Just the Way You Are - Bruno Mars

(2) All of Me - John Legend

(3) You are Loved (Don't Give Up) - Josh Groban 

(4) Everything - Michael Bublé

(5) She's Always a Woman - Billy Joel