As schools transition to online classes and more people are confined to their homes, I’ve noticed more than a few desperate Facebook posts seeking ideas to keep both kids and adults occupied. It seems as though, for the first time ever, spoonies around the world have suddenly become the “experts” on something. Of course, we don’t always have the energy for activities when we’re stuck at home, but we’ve gotten pretty good at keeping ourselves entertained when we can.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive, low-stress boredom buster (that’s family-friendly!), look no further. Here are my top five coloring books to get you started on a colorful, creative journey:
Do you have a favorite coloring book that I didn’t mention here? Tell me in the comments!
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Read about my earlier adventures in house hunting here. The hunt for the perfect home continues. I’ve toured several homes since I made my last offer on a house, and I’ve decided to increase my budget slightly. While I still love the idea of a fixer-upper, I’ve realized that the perks of a move-in-ready home are worth considering too.
Recently, I’ve toured three homes that all check most of my boxes. Melrose Manor wowed me with a beautiful loft, hardwood floors and a secret compartment in the bedroom closet (so cool!). But it sits awfully close to a busy street and the backyard is nice but small. The Country Cottage had a great layout and a huge yard, but the location wasn’t ideal. It sold shortly after I toured it, so that eliminated an option for me. After considering these homes – which all had some great plusses – I decided to make an offer on the Southside Starter, a small home on a quiet street with a large backyard (one of my most important requirements). It may be 100 years old, but the owners have updated the interior, which features beautiful hardwood floors and a modern kitchen and bath. It also has surprisingly high ceilings, which have me thinking about the possibility of bunk beds in the guest room. The master bedroom is enormous, and the smallest bedroom would make the perfect office space. The Southside Starter isn’t in my original search area, but it is located conveniently close to work and other amenities, and it’s within walking distance of downtown. Most importantly, it would be a great place to raise a dog. And if you know me at all, you know that I won’t be happy until my dog is happy. As we wait for a response on the offer, our fingers (and paws) are crossed! For updates on my house hunting escapades, be sure to subscribe. “Dependency” is not a word I typically use on a daily basis. I would imagine that, unless you work in a rehab facility or similar environment, it’s probably not a major staple in your vocabulary either. But lately I’ve been thinking about this word and, more specifically, what it means for people with chronic illness and/or disability. I would imagine a lot of people probably share the same initial reaction to this word. It evokes images of heroin addicts and alcoholics – people who are “dependent” on dangerous substances that may or may not be legal. But what about all the people who depend on resources ranging from medications like insulin to mobility aids or even caregivers to survive? Clearly, dependency can have different meanings to different people. For many people living with chronic illness, dependency is a fact of life. Whether we depend on the medications we take simply to keep us alive or to make it possible for us to work, walk or do any of the other daily activities that most people take for granted, we are forever reliant on something that’s often no bigger than our pinky nail. It’s both a humbling realization and a source of shame for many of us. I consider myself a natural optimist. But even I have caught myself in the dangerous thought-patterns of dependency from time to time. Recently, stories of the Holocaust have been circulating social media and every TV news channel in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. These stories take on a new meaning when you realize that at any other time in human history, the millions of people who depend on life-saving medications would face a very different fate than they do today.
Knowing that your existence and way of life is entirely dependent on a tiny, Tic Tac-sized pill manufactured and prescribed by other humans – who probably have no concept of the power they possess over your life – can be downright terrifying. How do you reconcile your sense of self-worth with your dependency on something entirely outside your control? How do you continue to view yourself as a successful, independent adult when your independence is only possible thanks to modern medicine and the stranger at the pharmacy counter?
I wholeheartedly believe that people with chronic illnesses and disabilities have value, and they deserve to have the same opportunities as anyone else. But I still struggle with these thoughts about my own dependency from time to time. Knowing that my body is practically useless without my medications can make me feel like I’ve somehow failed. Relying on my doctor, pharmacist and health insurer for the opportunity to live and thrive can make me feel utterly powerless. It’s a tough pill to swallow (pun intended). I don’t think dependency is something to be ashamed of. But I won’t lie and say I’ve never felt shame about my own dependency. I’m human after all. There might never be a cure for this cognitive dissonance, and I can’t say I won’t continue to struggle with it. But I think it’s important to find a balance between recognizing your dependency and exercising independence every chance you get. Many of the things I’ve accomplished wouldn’t be possible without the drugs that help me function, but that doesn’t make them any less laudable. I still put in the work. I still deserve the credit. We’re all dependent on something – even if it’s just the water we drink and the air we breathe – but that doesn’t mean we don’t have value. So whether you repeat an empowering mantra, talk to a supportive friend or write in a journal, take some time today to do something that reminds you of your worth. Because, regardless of who or what you depend on, you deserve it. I’ve spent the last year building my small business, Right Brain Creative Content, from the ground up. At the same time, I’ve built this blog as a creative outlet and a space to connect with fellow chronic illness warriors living their best lives. There hasn’t been a ton of crossover between these two pursuits, until now. Along with content creation and the consulting services I provide through Right Brain, I’m now offering sensitivity reading and cultural consultation. If you’re not familiar with the concept of sensitivity readers, the idea is fairly simple. Sensitivity readers review books, films and other forms of media to ensure that specific cultures or groups are portrayed accurately. They usually have personal experience that gives them a unique perspective – a valuable resource for publishers, authors and marketers who want to create authentic work that doesn’t harm the culture or cultures it portrays. As someone with both a chronic illness and an editorial background, this type of service is a perfect fit for me. Times are changing, albeit slowly. In a survey of 3,500 children’s books by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center, a child with a disability appeared in only 21 books, and only two of those were main characters. But authors – specifically writers of children’s and young adult literature – are beginning to understand the importance of portraying a more diverse and therefore realistic cast of characters in their stories. Creators of books, toys and movies are all beginning to realize the importance of representing more true-to-life characters. And marketers are beginning to understand the impact their messages have on people of diverse backgrounds.
My goal in offering this service is to encourage more writers, artists and marketing professionals to consider the impact their work has on people with chronic illness and/or disability and to promote awareness through thoughtful and authentic content. If you’re involved in a project that represents people in the chronic illness and/or disability community, contact me for more information about sensitivity reading and cultural consultation. Need an excuse to pamper yourself over the holidays? See how many self-care activities you can complete and give yourself the best gift of all - a stress-free holiday season!
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My name is Maggie Morehart, and I'm the creator of Incurable. Learn more.
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