What's the Obsession with Adult Coloring Books?

Not my thing, but I have no problem with people enjoying it. I used to knit and found that very relaxing while watching TV. I assume it's similar.

It's to help calm you. I bought one but there's so many teeny tiny little spaces to color that it actually kind of stresses me out lol. I find it more soothing to color little kid coloring books.

I don't think there is an "obsession" with them.

I have a couple of them and I enjoy it. I am alone with my dogs now that my husband died suddenly in late 2015 so it is something I can do with my time while the tv is on and just go chill out. I find it pretty therapeutic for my personal self.

I don't do it on a daily basis but I do enjoy it occasionally, especially if I'm having a down day such as today because it is my 28th anniversary and I spent time at my husband's grave instead of the great dinners and celebration we always shared.

One thing I do daily is journal. I don't miss a day of journaling. It helps as well!!

It's calming, especially if you tend to be anxious. It's simple enough that you can do it while having a conversation or watching TV, but it keeps your hands and that "worry" part of your mind busy. At least that's what it does for me!

I asked for them for Christmas last year, & got three, with a set of pencils & a set of fine-tipped markers. I enjoy using them when I'm stressed out, & need an activity to take my mind off what's going on... it helps me decompress, & I get a pretty design when I'm done. Adult coloring books are just more intricate pictures, and allow for people to express themselves creatively when coloring in. Think of it as a similar hobby to someone who might take up knitting or needlework. T. :)

S.,

For some? It's a stress relief. A way to go back in time to when things weren't so hard.

I don't have any - but I know people who do! They ENJOY it! It's fun to color again for them! They don't care if it's NOT PC. It's for THEM and THEIR enjoyment.

It's basically just another "craft". Some people find it relaxing. Some people knit, loom, scrapbook...coloring is another thing to do. Some of the images are pretty enough to be framed, too. There are also some silly coloring books out there, which are good for a laugh.

(There are coloring Apps too, to keep the coloring on your phone rather than having an actual book. Another MP post recently mentioned "Color Therapy", which is an App version of an adult coloring book.)

I don't think there's an 'obsession'... I do think the market has been saturated in the hopes that there will be one.

I like coloring books. Dover has made great ones for years. I don't think you need a special one--- a coloring book is a coloring book is a coloring book..... it's just like anything people do in their down time to relax... read, knit, crochet... That said, I don't spend my time coloring-- I have other stuff to do.

They don't particularly appeal to me, but I can see the value of busy hands (not reaching for junk food or cigarettes or an extra glass of wine) as well as the benefit of creating something when you don't feel you're "artistic" or talented enough to create a design from scratch. If it helps someone unplug from the computer or TV or stop staring at their smart phone, and instead do something calming and sedate, or perhaps sit outside (good weather, of course) and breathe in some fresh air and nature, I'm all for it.

My mother has had tons of tons of Mandela type coloring books my whole life, she loves the insane detail & is spectacular at it. You have to have really great fine point pens. Some artsy people just adore these type things.

Now I think the new trend the snowflakes have adapted where by using them as therapy and coping mechanisms is an off shoot of 'busy hands, quiet mind' type thinking maybe?

I personally love playing in paint for my busy hands quiet mind moods, if it works for you, it works for you, right?

They have been everywhere for awhile now. UGH. Supposedly they help you relax, and stay calm. I tried my daughter's and honestly it was not fun for me or relaxing... But I have never been big on coloring even as a kid. Some of the adult coloring books are beautiful to look at.
P

I have zero artistic talent so I see the appeal in coloring books. I could actually make something pretty... so I think they are a low stress way of making something nice when many people have little time to really be creative or lack the talent to make something they think is worth it. I could have time to paint from scratch but no desire bc whatever I made would not be good. And I'd need so many supplies and an area to set up to do it all. But color? I could do that! So I get the appeal.

I have one, it is the paintings of Vincent van Gogh minus the colors. I am a fidgety person and sometimes I get anxious about things, coloring in the book and getting to add my own creativity to the paintings of my favorite artist helps relax me sometimes. I used to love coloring as a kid, why do we have to give up something so simple that brought us pleasure as a kid just because we grew up? I also paint and quilt, I am most at peace when I am being creative, and put sometimes you don't have time to set up and do a full painting piece or sewing, so the book allows for creative expression that I can spend just a few moments on here and there without all the set up of bigger craft/art projects.

Coloring can be very relaxing. I've never bought an adult coloring book, but I've printed a few coloring sheets from time to time so I can just sit and color.

We all loved to color when we were kids. But kid's coloring books just don't bring us any joy.

The adult coloring books are challenging and meant to take a while to do. Everyone I know has at least one.

Very relaxing. I Just zone out and concentrate in colors. I usually do it st the end of a day.

my grandfather was an artist (oils and watercolors), my mother could pick up a pencil and nail your likeness in about 6 strokes, and all of my brothers are good artists. it somehow skipped me.
the adult coloring book fad has me doing the puzzled head tilt.
khairete
S.

My mom is big into it..as others have said it's just another type of craft..I think my mom likestrel it because it doesn't cost a ton or take up too much room or put to much pressure on you to finish...unlike quilting or scrapbook ing.

I tried it but didn't care for it...surfing pintest is more of a rush for me...I think I might have liked coloring bigger designs with crayons. But colored pencils and trying to balance the right shades of colors wasn't my deal

It is something to do. My daughter colored as a child and continues to do so as an adult. This Christmas I got her an adult coloring book and she was thrilled.

Like others have said, it is a way to relax and be creative without all of the expense for a craft other than pencils and crayons.

There are several huge coloring books at my home and tons of crayons for kids who stop by for a visit with their parents. Sometimes I get inspiration from a page for a design on a quilt.

To each his own.

the other S.

PS Happy New Year to all. May you have a happy, safe, and healthy year.

I don't know why some folk are focusing on your wording.... Big deal!

Anyhoo, like Wonder Woman, I prefer just regular kids' coloring books. The small spaces of the adult ones hurt my eyes.