Therese (Mom)

When I think about taking care of myself, the usual things come to mind: eating better, drinking water, moving my body, and getting enough sleep. But lately, I’m making room for something else, too: creativity. Whether I’m picking up a paintbrush or imagining a story for a children’s coloring book, creating has become a part of how I care for myself.

There is something wonderful about spending time on an idea simply because it makes me happy. So much of life revolves around responsibilities and taking care of what needs to get done. Having a creative outlet gives me time to explore, be curious, and enjoy myself without watching the clock quite so closely.

From Painting to Telling Stories

Art gives my mind a little breathing room. When I paint, I can focus on colors, try something different, and let a picture take shape without having every answer before I begin. Of course, the perfectionist in me still shows up. She has plenty of opinions about how everything should look, but I’m learning to keep painting anyway.

Now, I have a newfound obsession: storytelling through children’s coloring books. I love imagining an adventure, bringing the characters to life, and leaving space for a child to add their own colors. There is something special about creating a story that someone else can participate in, whether they choose a purple sky, a bright pink pumpkin, or a dog with rainbow-colored fur.

The inspiration comes from some familiar faces. Blue, Nova, and Kershaw are my own dogs, and Daphne is a real duck who has made her home in our neighborhood. Her adventure in the book is imagined, but she is part of our everyday world. I love taking the animals we know and imagining what stories they might have to tell.

An Ordinary Walk Is a Whole Adventure

My dogs provide plenty of material because their everyday lives are full of things that deserve their complete attention. To us, a walk might be something we squeeze in between responsibilities. We grab the leash, check the time, and think about everything waiting for us when we get home. To them, that same walk is an event.

There are smells to investigate, leaves to inspect, and familiar places that somehow offer something new every day. A puddle after the rain can change the entire experience. A fallen branch needs a closer look, and a slow-moving snail is a perfectly good reason to stop. What seems simple to their humans is essential to their joy.

Watching them makes me wonder how often I hurry past things I might enjoy if I gave them a little more attention. They are so happy to be outside, exploring their neighborhood with someone they love. Those moments are enough to make their day, and they have become the beginnings of stories that make me happy, too.

Giving My Mind Somewhere Gentle to Go

After cancer, through menopause, and during seasons when life feels overwhelming, I’ve learned that caring for myself means paying attention to my emotional needs alongside my physical ones. There are days when I need something enjoyable to focus on, especially when my thoughts keep circling around responsibilities or worries.

Painting and storytelling give me that opportunity. For a little while, I can follow an idea and see where it leads. I can imagine how three dogs might help a lost duck find her family or what they might discover on a walk after the rain. That time spent creating has become something I look forward to.

I also love that these stories grow out of a life I already have: the dogs I love, the neighborhood we walk through, and the little moments I might otherwise forget. Creating encourages me to pay attention. An ordinary experience can become the beginning of something I’m excited to share.

Giving Myself Permission to Be a Beginner

I think many of us reach adulthood believing that if we’re going to spend time on something, we should be good at it—or at least have something impressive to show for our effort. I know how easily that thinking can take over. Before we even begin, we’re already judging whether the result will be worthwhile.

I’m trying to give myself more room to learn. I can paint because I enjoy mixing colors and write because an idea makes me smile. There will be details to work through, mistakes to correct, and things I don’t understand yet. I want to stay curious enough to keep going.

Even as I work on my coloring books, I want to remember the joy that started them. I love my dogs, and I enjoy imagining their world. That is a good reason to create. If those stories also give a child and a parent or grandparent something fun to share, that makes the experience even sweeter.

Share a Little Adventure with Blue, Nova & Kershaw

Seeing these ideas become books that other families can enjoy has been such a meaningful part of this creative journey. My three children’s story and coloring books bring Blue, Nova, and Kershaw’s adventures to life while giving young readers room to add their own creativity.

Quick Disclaimer: These are my books, and I earn royalties from purchases. Some of the links below are affiliate links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Two Corgis & a Gentle Giant: The Adventures of Blue, Nova & Kershaw: Book One: The Butterfly Adventure introduces readers to my two corgis and their gentle giant companion through a butterfly adventure. It’s a sweet way to welcome these much-loved pups into your family’s story time and let your little ones bring their world to life with color.

Blue, Nova & Kershaw and the Great Pumpkin Mystery is a fall adventure story and coloring book for kids, featuring my three favorite pups and a pumpkin mystery to explore. It brings a little seasonal fun to story time and gives children pages to make their own.

Blue, Nova & Kershaw and the Lost Duck Adventure follows the trio as they help Daphne find her way back to her family at the pond. Inspired by our real neighborhood duck, this imagined adventure shares a story of friendship, kindness, and helping someone who needs you.

If you’re looking for an activity to enjoy with your children or grandchildren, I hope these books give you a reason to sit together, reach for the crayons, and share a little adventure. They began with the everyday joy my animals bring me, and getting to share a piece of that joy with your family means so much.

Making Space for What Brings Us Joy

I’m grateful to be discovering new interests in this season of my life. There is still plenty to learn, but I enjoy having something that makes me eager to try, imagine, and begin again. Painting and storytelling have given me another way to connect with myself and appreciate the life happening around me.

Your creative outlet might look completely different. Maybe you enjoy gardening, baking, taking photographs, journaling, or coloring a page yourself. Perhaps there is something you used to love that you haven’t made time for in years. Giving it a little space in your day could be a lovely place to start.

My dogs remind me how much joy can fit into an ordinary day. Through their stories, I’m learning to notice more of that joy—and make a little room for my own.

What creative outlet brings you joy, or what have you been wanting to try?