There’s something magical about watching colour fill a blank space — the way a pencil glides across paper, or how a marker transforms a simple shape into something alive. As children, we did this naturally. We didn’t worry about staying in the lines, choosing the “right” colours, or making it perfect. We coloured because it was fun. It made us feel good.
Somewhere along the way, many of us lost that. We traded creativity for productivity, freedom for control, and joy for judgment. But what if we could take it back — even for just a little while?
The Myth of Perfection
Perfection is a moving target — it shifts and reshapes itself the closer we think we get. It tells us that our work isn’t good enough, that we’re not good enough, unless it meets some invisible standard. And it’s exhausting.
Perfectionism doesn’t just show up in work or responsibilities; it sneaks into our hobbies too, especially creative ones. It whispers things like: "That colour doesn’t match." or "You should be better at this by now." And just like that, what should be an outlet becomes another pressure point.
Reclaiming Play Through Colouring
Enter colouring — simple, familiar, and beautifully low-stakes. When you sit down with a colouring poster, you’re giving yourself permission to slow down. There are no rules here. There’s no performance. Just lines, shapes, and colour. It’s a gateway back to play — not in the childish sense, but in the deeply human one. The kind of play that heals. That grounds. That says you don’t have to be perfect to be at peace.
The Beauty of Being Present
When you're colouring, something amazing happens: your focus shifts. You stop overthinking. You stop scrolling. Your brain takes a breather from the chaos. It’s just you, the colours, and the moment. The act of choosing shades, filling in spaces, and seeing progress unfold — it brings you into the now. That’s mindfulness in motion. That’s therapy without the pressure. And here’s the kicker: when you stop trying to make it perfect, that’s when it actually becomes beautiful — not because it’s flawless, but because it’s honest. It’s you.
Tips for Letting Go and Just Enjoying It
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Pick colours you love, not ones that “make sense.”
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Go outside the lines on purpose — seriously, try it.
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Use your non-dominant hand and embrace the wobbles.
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Colour with music or nature sounds in the background.
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Share your art with someone who’ll smile with you, not critique it.
You Deserve to Feel Free
You don’t need to be “creative” or “artistic” to colour. You don’t need fancy supplies. You don’t even need to finish the page. All you need is the willingness to try. To play. To be a little messy. To let go — just for a moment. And give yourself the gift of getting lost — not in perfection, but in joy.
Have you coloured lately? I’d love to hear what it felt like. Drop a comment and tag us on your social media - let us know your favourite way to unplug and get playful — no perfection required.