A little invitation to play, be present, and remember what fun feels like.
When was the last time you sat down to color?
Not because you were making something for someone. Not because you were trying to learn a new skill, create something beautiful, or check another thing off your never-ending to-do list.
Just because.
Remember being a kid and grabbing a box of crayons? You didn't need a reason. You didn't worry about whether your sunflower looked like an actual sunflower or whether the sky was supposed to be blue. You just picked a color and went for it.
Somewhere along the way, many of us stopped giving ourselves permission to do things simply because they're fun.
We got busy. We got responsible. We got really good at doing.
And maybe we forgot a little about being.
So, Why a Coloring Contest?
Well, I could have just given away a free massage, but where's the fun in that?! 😂
I love the idea of having a little fun along the way, putting some creativity into the mix, and making the reward feel that much sweeter because you participated in earning it.
But more than anything, I wanted to encourage a little colorful fun. An excuse to break out the crayons, turn on your favorite music, and spend some time doing something simply because you enjoy it.
The real prize might just be the time you give yourself to play.
And if you happen to win a massage credit along the way? Even better!
A Little More Being, a Little Less Doing
If you've read my About page, you may remember my Aunt Paula's reminder that we're human beings, not human doings.
It's something I come back to often, especially when I catch myself getting caught up in all the things I think I should be doing.
We're constantly trying to accomplish, improve, fix, manage, or become something.
Even our self-care can start to feel like another assignment.
Drink the water. Get the steps. Do the stretches. Meditate. Breathe. Check the boxes.
And while those things can absolutely support our well-being, I think there's something equally valuable about making space for activities that don't have a goal attached.
No expectations. No performance. No pressure to be good at it.
Just a little time to notice how it feels to be present.
Play Isn't Just for Kids
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get lost in something you're genuinely enjoying?
When we play, we have an opportunity to reconnect with our bodies in a different way. Instead of focusing on what hurts, what needs fixing, or what we should be doing, we can simply experience what we're feeling.
Maybe it's the movement of your hand across the paper, the music that makes you want to wiggle in your chair, or the satisfaction of choosing just the right shade of purple.
Our senses bring us into the present moment, and play gives us a reason to pay attention.
I love the idea that we can practice listening to our bodies without always trying to change something about them.
What if we approached our bodies with a little more curiosity and a lot less judgment?
And what if reconnecting with ourselves could actually be fun?
Okay, But There Are Prizes! 🎨
Because while I believe in doing things just for the joy of doing them, I also think a little friendly competition can be fun!
Here's how to join in:
Download your Chrysalis Healing coloring page here! Or pick one up in the hallway outside my office (see pic below)
Get creative! Crayons, markers, colored pencils, rainbow sunflowers, polka-dot butterflies. Whatever makes you happy.
Return your masterpiece by Saturday, October 31st. Drop it into the blue folder in the hallway outside my office (see pic below), or you scan or photograph your finished page and email it to heidibeingheidi@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name and contact information!
Everyone who submits a completed coloring page receives a $5 credit toward their next (or first!) session with me. One participation credit per person.
I'll choose 10 finalists, and then my Instagram community gets to vote for their favorites November 1–7.
Winners will be announced November 8!
🥇 First place: $100 session credit
🥈 Second place: $50 session credit
🥉 Third place: $25 session credit
Your Invitation
Whether you enter the contest or not, I hope you'll take something away from this little experiment.
Find something that makes you smile.
Make something just because.
Play music too loudly. Color the leaves turquoise. Give the mushroom a purple hat.
And if you find yourself worrying about whether you're doing it right, remember that you don't actually have to be good at something to enjoy it.
You deserve to feel good in your body. And you deserve moments of joy that don't have to accomplish a single thing.
Now, where did I put my crayons? 🦋
