We’re in love with this coloring book of positive affirmations
There are plenty of benefits to coloring as an adult. Filling in empty spaces with crayons and markers can be ridiculously therapeutic; psychologists say it’s the perfect mindful activity; and many find it to be an awesome way to de-stress. We’re not ashamed to admit our obsession; and we officially have a new favorite coloring book to add to the rotation.
The Affirmations Coloring Book is exactly what it sounds like: 100 pages of positive affirmations paired with adorable drawings for you to color. Designed by Sarah Mangle, the book takes all the feel good parts of coloring to the next level — and we’re totally in love with both the book and the story behind it.
After Mangle sprained her knee in 2014 and couldn’t walk for a few weeks, she grew frustrated with Montreal’s public transportation, which she said “is horribly inaccessible for people who use a cane, or other mobility devices.” Snowed in and unable to venture very far, she started drawing pet portraits from a friend’s Facebook — and it was then that her sister-in-law challenged her to turn them into a full-fledged coloring book. The rest is history.
“I was introduced to the idea of affirmations in one of my first significant romantic relationships. My partner at the time suggested that stating affirming positive statements could be a useful way to strengthen our relationship when things felt uncertain,” she told HelloGiggles. “Although I certainly understood through lived experience that being given positive feedback was a great way to maintain self-confidence and a desire to try new things, that was the first time I had ever heard the word ‘affirmation.’”
“At first, the process felt a bit forced, stating something positive instead of just saying things as they naturally arrived in my brain,” she continued. “But you know what? There are many things, in a cognitive behavioral way, that we have to teach ourselves to do on an active conscious level and that’s how real change and real healing happens.”
“I wanted the coloring book to be an abundance of comfort and support and I wanted the pictures to welcome all forms of coloring; not just in the lines, detailed stuff,” Mangle told HelloGiggles. “I wanted people of all abilities and ages to love coloring the book. And I wanted the book to really be a beautiful thing, and I’m proud to say that I think I was successful.”
We couldn’t agree more. The coloring book was so successful, in fact, that she’s even working on a French version; along with a new coloring book, called The All Ages Book of Worries and Reassurances (available for pre-order here). But, of course, our heart still remains with the original.
You can purchase The Affirmations Coloring Book here.
(Images via Sarah Mangle.)
Over one million people bought her gorgeous coloring book for grownups
