10 Tips to Combat Coloring Fatigue and Burnout

Coloring has been moving along at a steady clip for quite a while now. Whole businesses were created, a handful of artists got very well known (and wealthy) and the masses found a readily accessible, affordable, new, creative outlet to help distress and slow down.

As with any hot new craft there is more and more and more...more supplies, more techniques, more reference material, more styles, more, more and more!

At some point people hit a wall. They don't get the same high, pleasure, satisfaction or relaxation out of the activity. In fact, it starts to make them anxious, sad, frustrated and even depressed. This thing that brought such joy and promise now seems like a chore.

Is that what is starting to happen with coloring? I've seen posts recently on social media where colorists are sharing these feelings and disappointments and even a slight amount of fear. 

I have seen a virtual explosion of finished coloring pages shared across the social media sites I frequent. Not just some but a tsunami of colored pages that are really good...especially the grayscale ones. They end up looking like portraits. 

The more that is posted, the more I think people naturally feel like they have to keep up. Keep up with the quantity, keep up with the quality or new techniques or materials or tools or number of books or number of groups you are a part of....it's exhausting writing about, so imagine what it feels like living it. How could anyone feel creative or find joy in that suffocating atmosphere of competition? 

And you know what? I don't even know if people realize they are caught in that cycle. 

If you think your coloring passion may be waning, I have 10 suggestions that might help.

1. Simplify. Pare down your color pallette or better yet find an existing color pallette on a site like Pinterest. Or only use one type of medium...all colored pencils, all gel pens, etc...

2. Make a change. Change your subject matter...change the style of coloring art....change the level of difficulty, etc...

3. Get Social. No, not social media...actual people. Invite a friend or two over to color and chat. Share books, supplies and snacks!

4. STOP LOOKING AT OTHER PEOPLES ONLINE COLORING! Stop comparing yourself and stop thinking that everything you color has to be shared on social media. Sometimes the best coloring experiences can be in the process and not the outcome. 

5. Color with a purpose. Make a gift for a friend, to frame for a loved one, to wrap a small gift, to decoupage on something or to turn into a card. 

6. Change your prospective. Take a walk, read a book, watch a movie....remove yourself for a little while.

7. Learn something new. Try a totally new medium or coloring technique. Search the Internet for a huge amount of inspiration. 

8. Create new personal challenges. Find a new way to tackle a picture. I've seen where people draw a light grid over the entire page and then stay within the new boxes while also coloring in the lines of the original drawing. Some people limit themselves to one maybe two colors and only use shades of those. Challenge yourself and think outside the box. 

9. Does distance makes the heart grow fonder? Maybe it's time to take a break. Put away your books and tools until next season or until they call to you again.

10.Be honest with yourself. Sometimes it is just time to move on and discover another creative avenue. Know when to say when. Donate any extra supplies. There are plenty of places that would love them! Think nursing homes, doctors offices, children's hospitals, veterans hospitals. 

Have you hit that coloring wall? What do you do to break through? Why do you color?

Please share...I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Pam