ARP 329 Cat Coloring Book as Meditation Practice

The TLDR version: What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

But be careful about making a purchase. When possible, buy from a human creator.

The much longer version: I insist on being a human being so I still do my own research. Not saying I having dipped a toe or two into the new hyped up gizmo world of ask a question get a possibly faulty answer of A.I. 

I have. I think I've learned more about human beings and the the decisions that they are making concerning the use of a service with a raft of ethical considerations tossed to the wind.

Which causes me to have certain types of additional anxiety about what humans do. 

In searching for resources for this week's episode I discovered the world of Kindle Digital Publishing (KDP) and stress and anxiety coloring books. 

For those that don't know, there is a group of people that produce low content books. These can be lined notebooks, journals, prompt books and yes, coloring books.

These books are very easy to produce. If you have a word processing program you are good to go. Create the book, slap a cover on it and send it to KDP. 

There are people that make dang good money doing this. Some are crafts people and true artists. Others jumped on the trend early enough to make a profit with low quality crap.

This is nothing new. Mainstream publishers have been making low content books for years. As in centuries. If you have ever been in a TJ Max or Ross store, you've seen them. 

What is new is two things colliding. A subset of people creating "stress or anxiety relief "coloring books for adults and A.I. 

These entrepreneur folks are cranking out hundreds of these books using A.I. to make minor variations to name, cover and the appearance of content. There is a tsunami of very low quality book. 

I can't tell by looking at the cover who is who. Or if it is a good book for actual use?

Does the coloring book have perforated pages to make it easy to work with?

Is it single or double sided?

Will there be bleed through?

I'm trying to say, buyer be aware and beware. 

What I do know is that a coloring book could be an opportunity for those who have trouble with some of the traditional concepts of meditation or mindfulness practice. 

That is the topic of this episode on the summer slowdown.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Resources Mentioned: 

Blue Star Coloring Ocean Animal Patterns Coloring Book

Dover Publishing Fifty Favorite Birds Coloring Book By Lisa Bonforte

Rockridge Press adult coloring book Stress Relief Cat Coloring Book, I found this on the Simon and Schuster website. 

Disclaimer: 

Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements. 

Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.