BoredomBusted — Find Your Next Favorite Thing To Do
Discover hobbies, activities, places, and ideas that spark joy. Whether you're looking for something creative, active, social, or relaxing, BoredomBusted helps you find your next favorite thing to do.
Browse our hobby guides, things-to-do collections, and place ideas to never be bored again.
Coloring isn't just for kids—it's a meditative practice that sparks adult creativity while providing serious stress relief.
Getting started with coloring as a beginner allows you to express your creativity, while finding a calm and peaceful thing to do when you’re bored.
You fill in pre-drawn images with your chosen colors, offering a relaxing escape that still taps into your imagination.
In coloring, hobbyists select pre-printed line art from adult coloring books, using colored pencils, markers, or paints to methodically fill intricate designs with color, staying within boundaries and experimenting with techniques like blending and layering shades.
Coloring induces a flow state by demanding focused attention on color selection and staying within lines, fostering meditative absorption that allows individuals to lose themselves in the process, while immediate visual feedback from completed sections provides a sense of accomplishment and mastery.
You might think coloring is just for kids. But it's also a way for adults to relieve stress and express creativity.
Coloring takes just enough focus to escape daily stress.
It won't overwhelm you. The repetitive movement and attention to color and pattern create a meditative vibe.
Staying within lines might seem limiting. But it provides room for your creativity to shine.
Choosing colors and styles makes every piece personal.
Color choice feels bigger than it is at first. That initial decision can feel awkward. But go with your gut — there's no wrong choice.
As you fill in sections, something shifts. Not chasing perfection, just finding a calming rhythm.
Stress fades surprisingly fast.
You might get more lost in it than expected. Time slips away. And at the end, the satisfaction is real, even if the result isn't perfect.
When to start: Early morning
Duration: 1 hour
Cost to try: $5
Success criteria: If you filled one coloring page with at least three distinct colors and kept the edges inside the lines for most sections, do session 2.
New colorists freeze at the pencil tin, convinced one wrong shade will ruin the page. That hesitation comes from treating coloring like a test with correct answers.
No color choice can objectively wreck your work — an unexpected combination is almost always more interesting than a safe, predictable one. Pick something, start moving, and adjust on the next section.
Rushing to finish is the fastest way to get nothing out of the session. The completed page isn't the reward — the time spent coloring is.
Slow down to a single section per sitting if you need to. The relaxation people describe after a good coloring session comes from sustained, unhurried focus — not from flipping to a finished page.
Heavy pressure doesn't produce richer color — it produces waxy, uneven patches and a tired hand by the second page.
Hold the pencil as lightly as you would if you were sketching a rough draft. Build color gradually with multiple light passes. You get smoother coverage and your hand stays relaxed for the whole session.
Local libraries and community centers often host coloring groups. You can share tips and enjoy your hobby together. It's a great way to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
Instagram and Facebook are where the action is online. These platforms host lively groups for sharing work, resources, and inspiration. They're supportive spaces for colorists at any stage.
Adult coloring books offer intricate designs meant for mature tastes. These books provide a challenging, sophisticated coloring experience.
Digital coloring apps are ideal for tech-savvy colorists. They provide varied designs and let you color anytime, anywhere.
Mandala coloring focuses on circular, symmetrical designs. It's meditative and satisfying as you watch patterns emerge.
Breathwork is a sibling pursuit and often surfaces the same kind of curiosity.
An eye for detail paired with patience is crucial in coloring. As you immerse yourself in the subtle specifics of your page, your focus and relaxation naturally improve.
Taking your time is key. Carefully filling in each section teaches you to appreciate the process and celebrate small victories.
This patience and attention to detail aren't just for coloring. They enhance your ability to concentrate and appreciate details in many other areas.
Try coloring for 30 days with 5 short sessions each week. Notice how it integrates into your daily routine without needing hours.
If you find yourself lost in the details and feel calm after each session, this hobby has clicked for you. Dive deeper by experimenting with different coloring techniques and materials, like brush pens or fine liners.
If the routine feels repetitive and unfulfilling, it might not yet be the right fit. Try switching up your medium or color palette before calling it quits.
You might need more interesting things to color, too!
Check out online resources such as this random coloring page generator to find new and exciting pictures to try!
If you avoid sitting down with the coloring book altogether, this isn't your match. Some enjoy the idea more than the practice, and that's perfectly valid.
The true sign of fit: falling asleep with coloring books on your nightstand.
Sometimes you just need something for the next ten minutes — that's what things to do when bored is for.
You only need coloring books or printable pages and colored pencils, markers, or crayons to begin. For a complete setup, consider adding quality colored pencils (around $15-40), fine-tipped markers, pencil sharpeners, and blending tools like blending stumps, but you can start with basic supplies you may already have at home.
Coloring is extremely budget-friendly—you can start for under $10 with basic markers or colored pencils and free printable coloring pages online. Even investing in quality supplies like premium colored pencil sets (typically $30-60) and adult coloring books ($10-15 each) remains far cheaper than most hobbies.
Yes, coloring is enjoyable and beneficial for children, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Adults especially appreciate it as a meditative stress-relief activity, while children develop fine motor skills and creativity through the same practice.
Simple coloring pages can take 15-30 minutes, while detailed adult coloring books may take 1-3 hours depending on your style and intricacy level. The beauty of coloring is you can work at your own pace and complete pages over multiple sessions.
Coloring offers room for significant skill development—you can learn blending techniques, color theory, shading, and layering to create more sophisticated artwork. Many people start casually but progress to advanced techniques that produce gallery-quality results.
Adult coloring books feature more intricate, complex designs with smaller spaces requiring precision and patience, while children's books use larger, simpler areas. Adult books are specifically designed for stress relief and mindfulness, though both serve the same fundamental purpose of creative expression.