Why I Choose Coloring Over Meditation for Anxiety Relief?

For a long time, I experienced what many call the “Sunday Scaries.” Every Sunday night, I’d feel a rising wave of anxiety just thinking about the packed Monday meetings, to-do lists, and responsibilities ahead. I often couldn’t fall asleep, which made me feel even more exhausted and overwhelmed the next day. It became a cycle: stress led to sleepless nights, and sleepless nights led to even more stress. Like many people, I turned to meditation for help. I knew it was a proven method for reducing anxiety and calming the mind. But every time I tried to meditate, it felt like my thoughts only got louder. Instead of peace, my mind filled with racing thoughts and unwanted memories. I didn’t feel calm—I felt even more mentally cluttered. Then I discovered something that truly worked for me: coloring for anxiety relief. With soft music playing in the background and a coloring book in hand, I began to relax in a way that felt natural and effortless. I didn’t have to fight my thoughts or force my mind to be quiet. As I focused on coloring lines and blending shades, I felt emotionally lighter. The colors gave me joy, and the creative flow helped me reconnect with myself. Coloring became my form of creative mindfulness—a soothing, visual meditation that didn’t require silence or stillness. It gave me something to do with my hands and heart, and slowly, I began to sleep better, feel better, and reclaim a sense of peace. But what touched me most was a woman staying in the tiny house next to ours. She was an artist on her annual solo retreat. Each day, she set up her easel outside and painted in silence. I never disturbed her, but I watched from afar, captivated by the peaceful energy around her. Her presence was calm, grounded, and full of quiet joy. That experience stirred something in me. When I returned home, I began coloring and painting—first in small ways, at home, in parks, and on future getaways. That was the beginning of my creative healing journey. And it’s what inspired me to create Retreats of Color—a space to explore creativity, healing, and the beauty of slow, soulful living.