I woke up this morning to rain in Tucson and sad news all over my social media accounts about yet another devastating mass shooting at a school, this one in Florida. Living in the desert, usually rain is a welcomed sound, sight, and smell, but this morning it just seems appropriately somber.
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, so we were all occupied trying to show everyone in our lives how much we love them. Then the unthinkable happens (again). This will be, for many, the worst day of their life. All those families who have lost loved ones must now bear unconscionable sadness.
We are all again (and again and again) left with questions (and answers that seem hard to find). So this morning, after scrolling through my Instagram feed and being full of emotion over the images shared about this tragedy, I turned to make art my emotional outlet, as I have so often done when I feel my emotions welling up.
I have painted pictures during times of happiness and sadness or sketched out memories interwoven with verse in the past. But recently, I have turned to coloring therapy—perhaps because it’s a more immediate outlet that is readily available (and I, too, have been caught up in the adult coloring craze!).
When I first put together my Pop Art adult coloring book I called it “Life’s Little Luxuries” because I wanted it to celebrate the little stuff in our life that we probably take for granted. I take my book with me when I go on vacation and try to do a page wherever we go—sort of like a graphic diary.
I also use it as my “therapy” when bad things like this happen. Putting images and colors on paper helps me focus my thoughts and work through my feelings. I’m sad to say that there are more “therapy” pages in my book than there should be.
Teaching has always been a juxtaposition of the best (rewarding) and worst (underpaid/exhausting) job in our country. But until recently, it was never an unsafe job. Even through the sadness and nightmare that keeps happening, one thing I know for sure – there are teachers in every school all over this country that, although it’s not in their “job description,” will protect their students with their life. We’ve seen it happen too many times. My wish and hope for this country (and our world) are that teachers who already do so much for our children don’t have to be asked to do that as well. It shouldn’t be a luxury to go to school and be safe – that should be given (for teachers and children).
If this type of art coloring therapy is helpful to you, I have a set of adult coloring pages specifically designed for teachers. They are FREE, and they can be found in my Teachers Pay Teacher store HERE or by clicking on the image below.
I have a FREE apple design HERE you can use with your students as well for coloring therapy.
Thank you for all you do every day!
Jenny K.
