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LEZIMA GOMES
DOHA
It's official. Adult colouring books are increasingly being embraced by men and women alike across the state of Qatar. Colouring books for adults seems to be the newest device that is helping promote mindfulness and inspiring adults to put down their phones at least for a few hours.
Some claim that colouring is therapeutic, fosters creativity and reaps benefits associated with meditation. In 2015, an estimated 12 million adult colouring books were sold in the United States, according to Nielsen Bookscan. Type #adultcoloringbook on Instagram and you will be left with 401,012 posts of some beautifully coloured paintings. It's a new type of meditation that does not require any assistance.
Maria Fahed, a homemaker, enjoys colouring along with her son."I feel very relaxed and calm while indulging in colouring," she says.
"It's calming, fun and nostalgic at the same time," explains Kiera Fleming, an accountant in Doha.
Aaron Zuzat, a real estate agent, says,"It's nice to concentrate on something that's cheerful and simple, something that we rarely get to do."
Kada Krita, who started off admiring the Mandala art, agrees:"I enjoy colouring as it helps me relax, especially with music."
"As adults, we need a chance to escape from our everyday life and do something that's totally meditative," explains Chole Brown, an HR manager who recently discovered adult colouring books.
"Once you start colouring, all you think about is colours and how to add colour to make the painting beautiful. It's an amazing feeling to realise that you have spent your time creating something beautiful," she adds.
There are various types of colouring books from Harry Potter, Taylor Swift to Sherlock Holmes-themed books to the more fashionable and covetable such as the Vogue Colouring Book.
Celebrities too have been bitten by the colouring bug. Victoria Beckham recently posted a photograph of herself on Instagram with a copy of the Vogue Colouring Book peeping out of her handbag.
Kate Hudson too posted a Snapchat video of her colouring aboard a plane en route to a Kung Fu Panda 3 premiere.
The popularity of the concept of colouring has been linked to the concentration required to stay within the lines which works as a stress reliever.
The trend is having an impact on stores as much as on social media. Stores such as Jarir Bookstore and Virgin Megastore have added them to their collection.
Jarir Bookstore has books such as Magic Garden, Blossom Magic, The Game of Thrones Coloring Book, Star Wars Artists Colouring Pad, and Amazing Mandalas Coloring Book among others. Virgin megastore has Vintage Fashion Colouring Book, Harry Potter Colouring Book, Four Seasons Colouring Book, Vogue Colouring Book, and Creative Therapy Colouring Book.
Aaron Zuzat discovered adult colouring earlier this year when a friend hosted a party with a colouring book activity. The new-found hobby came in handy for Zuzat when he underwent surgery and was advised complete bed rest."I was told that I shouldn't be doing activities such as working out, so I bought some colouring books and started off," he said.
"I was able to put the phone aside for a few hours and really unwind." Now back on his feet, Zuzat continues to colour at home after work.
Fleming, who received a colouring book in December as a gift from an employee, says she along with her husband enjoys the activity as it helps their compatibility as well as helps them relax.
While Fleming found the activity soothing, it did not quite replace her unlimited data usage."I'd love to say it made me put down my phone," she admits."But I had to Snapchat and Instagram my progress so my followers could see the whole thing happen."
