A lived-experience introduction to colouring as a grounding technique
If you have tried meditation and mindfulness before but couldn’t quite make it work for you, check out our ‘Mindfulness for full minds’ techniques. These can be particularly fitting for “busy brains” such as neurodivergent ones, and/or for those struggling with racing thoughts, anxiety, etc.
I always found it hard to engage in meditation and mindfulness. I used to get frustrated at myself – something that happens quite often – and I would end up asking myself the same old question over and over again: “Why can’t I do what everybody else does?“
Getting a diagnosis of ADHD, and even before then, surrounding myself with neurodivergent peers, listening to their stories and struggles, has been an eye opener.
Now I understand why I can’t engage in “mainstream” meditation and mindfulness, but this didn’t stop me… I found something that works for me, and I want to share it with you.
The search never ends, because full minds change so rapidly – and get bored even more rapidly – so if in a few weeks this technique no longer serves me, I’m sure I will explore something new!
To me, mindful colouring means taking my time to choose the right drawing depending on how I feel, what colours I want to use, and who I want to gift the drawing to. I have adapted this activity into something meaningful: when someone inspires me, helps me, or has an impact on me, I will look for a drawing that reminds me of them and I will colour it in with the end goal to gift it to them.
I choose the colours carefully – no felt tips! Just crayons, because they capture nuances – I take my time to colour in every last bit, I force myself not to rush it. Sometimes it takes me several days or even weeks to finish a drawing. I will then use glitter pens, adding a bit of shine – there’s never enough glitter in life! Lastly, I will get a frame that fits the drawing, write a sentence at the back of it, and gift it to a person of my choice.
To little Maya: you are my star, I adore you! Your mummy ♡
Chiara
Do you use any self help techniques that you would like to share with the College students and friends?
Email us on Wellbeingcollege@combined.nhs.uk and we will add them to the Self help section of the website!
