I discovered growth mindset coloring pages some time ago. I was talking with my coach back then about using a more potent mindset growth tactic to help me integrate three new powerful thoughts in my inner dialogue. Those were: I am strong. I am confident. I am fearless.
I had been struggling with those three affirmative thoughts for months. And I had enough.
My coach suggested I try to print those affirmations and place them strategically throughout my home, in places where I could see them very well. But that didn’t float my boat. Instead I did something else.
I designed my own coloring pages and in so doing, I discovered the healing power of coloring (and drawing). The benefits of growth mindset coloring pages have been so impressive in changing my life, that I decided to share them with the world.
Over the years I’ve used these positive affirmations coloring pages in many challenging moments. I used them to unwind and reduce my insomnia. I used them in the days when I was depressed about not getting pregnant and then later, in the days just before my C-section, when I couldn’t go to sleep because I was crying uncontrollably. I used them when I was struggling with self doubt over becoming an entrepreneur.
Every single time this practice took me from anxiety and stress to calm and relaxation. It has become my favorite form of art therapy because it boosts your mood, promotes mindfulness, positive thinking and allows you to express yourself creatively.
There are many benefits to growth mindset coloring pages.
Here are are just a few:
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Coloring is a lot like play: “As we get older, we lose our playful side. I think anything that resembles our childhood play can get us back into that frame of mind as an adult.” (psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, co-author of the new book Wired to Create)
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Coloring can be a form of art therapy (when practiced with a coach): “creating an artwork is a way to explore feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety and increase self-esteem.” (American Art Therapy Association)
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Coloring is calming: “Coloring definitely has therapeutic potential to reduce anxiety, create focus or bring [about] more mindfulness,” (Marygrace Berberian, a certified art therapist and the Clinical Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator for the Graduate Art Therapy Program at NYU)
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Coloring grounds us: “Adult coloring requires modest attention focused outside of self-awareness. It is a simple activity that takes us outside ourselves. In the same way, cutting the lawn, knitting, or taking a Sunday drive can all be relaxing.” (clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, Psy.D.)
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Coloring is an easy, no pressure, self expression exercise: “It is hard to screw up coloring, and, even if you do, there is no real consequence. As result, adult coloring can be a wonderful lark, rather than an arduous test of our capacities,” (clinical psychologist Scott M. Bea, Psy.D.)
And then the affirmations
The practice of affirmative self-talk or affirmations is based on the self-affirmation theory developed by Claude Steel in the late 1980s. This psychological theory looks at how individuals adapt to information or experiences that are threatening to their self-concept (or image). Studies have shown that “self-affirmation can help individuals cope with threat or stress and that it might be beneficial for improving academic performance, health, and reducing defensiveness”.
Over the past few years I have integrated new self-care practices, and positive affirmations have been a central part of the routine. But just saying it, doesn’t mean it suddenly becomes real or true for us.
In my case, combining coloring with affirmations has changed how I reach to stress. It made me feel so much more powerful knowing that whatever comes my way I will always have at least one stress relief mechanism that is … bullet-proof.
A gift for you!
I am giving away the first three growth mindset coloring pages I ever designed. They have a special place in my heart for having opened my eyes to a new universe and for helping me integrate a new and positive self image that put an end to my self doubt. Download 3 growth mindset coloring pages for free to give them a try and see how these will make you feel.
Hi there! My name is Monica Badiu. I am a mom, a paper artist, an entrepreneur and marketing coach.
