2015 was a good year for creativity. From Elizabeth Gilbert’s smash hit Big Magic to our very own Brit Morin’s Homemakers, we had lots to choose from in the inspiration-for-getting-creative department, and 2016 is shaping up to be just as great. If your list of New Year’s resolutions included reading more and being more creative, we’ve got the books for you! Below are some new (and awesome) books on creativity that are hitting shelves this year. You’ll definitely want to mark those release dates on your calendar.
No matter how much effort we put into relaxing after a long day — whether through meditation, fitness, or a hot bath — sometimes we just don’t have the time or energy to commit to going to the gym or focusing on breath work. Personally, the last thing I want to do when I’m trying to de-stress is stare at a screen. I spend my entire day looking at screens, and my eyes and brain simply can’t handle another pixel. That’s why I opt for screen-free activities like reading, crocheting, or, better yet, coloring before bed to wind down.
Now you may be wondering, does coloring ACTUALLY have a positive impact on your mental health? We spoke to Dr. Caroline Fenkel, a licensed therapist and Chief Clinical Officer at Charlie Health, to getting better understand of just how much the simple act of coloring can actually do to relieve stress.
Are adult coloring books good for mental health?
Coloring offers many benefits for mental health, particularly in reducing stress and anxiety after a long day of work or school. Similar to meditating, coloring allows us to focus our mind and engage in mindfulness. Dr Fenkel explains, "The repetitive motion of filling in shapes with color can soothe your mind, allowing you to temporarily set aside worries or stressors that might be weighing you down."
Because the activity itself is very low stakes, it is a perfect way to unwind. You can focus as much or as little as you like, and for however long you choose. "When choosing colors and filling in a design, your brain can take a break from the overthinking that often contributes to stress," Dr. Fenkel says. "It’s a way of giving yourself permission to pause, slow down, and reconnect with a sense of calm."
Not only does it help with de-stressing, it can also contribute to help processing your emotions. "The creative expression involved in coloring can also help you process emotions. Even though it might seem simple, the colors you choose and how you apply them can reflect your inner state," according to Dr. Fenkel.
"Coloring isn’t just a pleasant pastime, but also a small but effective tool for managing stress, nurturing mental well-being, and cultivating peace in a busy world, " Dr. Fenkel says.
So sit back, relax, grab your markers or pencils, and start coloring!
Find Your New Favorite Adult Coloring Book Here!
Amazon
Yournotes Publishing Mindfulness Coloring Book For Adults
This book offers a wide variety of animals and flowers to choose from! The intricate patterns encourage you to pay attention to detail and let you get super creative with your color choices! This book gives you 50 different patterns to color in, so you have enough to last for a while, too.
Amazon
Crayola Flower Coloring Book
This 40 page adult coloring book is a breath of fresh, floral air. Made by Crayola, AKA coloring book royalty, you know the quality on this book is gonna be good. These gorgeous illustrations are on perforated pages as well, so you can tear out your favorites to share on your fridge!
Amazon
Adult Swear Words Coloring Book
Sometimes you just gotta laugh, you know? These 40 single-sided pages are full of swear words and illustrations to help you take the edge off. Some designs are more simple, some are more intricate, and all are a real good time. And if you don't believe me, this adult coloring book has 4.6 stars out of over 3,000 ratings!
Amazon
Kytefox Publishing Stress Relief Adult Coloring Book
This book features larger images, which is perfect if you’re not a fan of smaller details. It has a very nature-inspired and mystical vibe, so if that’s your style, this coloring book would be perfect for you! There are a total of 60 designs to color in, so you've got a lot to work with while you wind down.
Amazon
RYVE Adult Coloring Book for Women
This adult coloring book is "thoughtfully designed to provide a peaceful, mindful experience, combining the joy of coloring with the power of introspection." Each illustration is paired with personal growth prompts, so you can ground yourself even more. This book features bleed-resistant paper, so you don't have to worry about accidentally coloring over your prompts for tomorrow.
Amazon
Cozy Friends: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens
This adult coloring book is perfect for a sweet, cute little vibe! I’ve seen these little characters all over TikTok, and they’re just so adorable! I love the characters and all the cute settings the book places them in. Each of the 40 pages features hand-drawn designs, so you know this one's special.
Amazon
Cozy Spaces Coloring Spooky Cutie Coloring Book for Adults and Teens
With fall right around the corner, I thought it was only fitting to include a seasonally themed coloring book too! I mean could this get any cuter? You definitely wanna pick up this 40 illustration book ASAP!
Amazon
Mindfulness Patterns: Coloring Book with Creative Pattern Designs for Stress Relief and Relaxation
Mindfulness really is the big goal with these adult coloring books. This one has 50 illustrations on single-sided pages, and features "a variety of shapes and zentangle doodle patterns." Don't know what "zentangle patterns" are? Me either! According to Zentangle.com, these are images created by drawing structured patterns — cool!
Large Print Easy Color & Frame - Stress Free Adult Coloring Book
This adult coloring book is spiral bound with larger print — again, that's really helpful for folks who wanna worry less about coloring in all the intricate, tiny little lines. There are 31 coloring pages, with each being one-sided and perforated. Plus, this well-loved book (4.7 stars out of almost 5,000 reviews) features thicker paper to prevent bleed-through.
Markers, Pens, And Pencils For Your Adult Coloring Books
Amazon
SFAIH Brush Tip Alcohol Markers Set
Hands down, this is the best marker set on Amazon for a reasonable price! It’s always helpful to have both thick and fine tips to cover larger or smaller areas of the page. I also love the variety of shades within the same color, and they're all SUPER cute!
Amazon
Caliart 34 Double Tip Brush Pens Art Markers
This is another excellent marker option if you’re looking for an even finer tip! These are perfect if your coloring books have teeny-tiny details, and if you’re a perfectionist (like me) who loves to stay inside the lines.
Amazon
Soucolor 72-Color Colored Pencils for Adult Coloring Books
If you’re more of a colored pencil girl than a marker girl, I highly recommend this 72-piece colored pencil set. They have every color you could ever need! Plus, colored pencils are great for blending if you want to get a bit more technical with it.
Amazon
Artownlar Premium 72 Colored Pencils with Coloring Books Set
Finally, if you’re always on the go or want to color while traveling, you should grab a coloring book set! It comes with everything you need and is perfect for bringing on a road trip, to the park, or even as a thoughtful gift for a friend!
Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more Amazon finds!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
Header image via Amazon.
Trader Joe’s, though very tempting with their vast array of sweet treats, is truly a secret weapon for eating healthy and sustaining a healthy diet. TJ’s aisles are packed full of nutritious (yet delicious) options, all of which are often easy to prepare and even easier to devour. Whether you’re focusing on fueling your workouts with protein, cutting back on sugar, or simply eating more whole foods in 2025, Trader Joe’s has plenty of affordable, wholesome finds to keep your diet inspired.
Below, find the best Trader Joe’s products that make sticking to your 2025 resolutions a breeze!
Trader Joe's
Creamy Dreamy Hummus
Hummus is an instant snack hack if you're trying to eat a high-protein diet – this $3 one from TJ's boasts a "thick, rich, and exquisitely creamy" texture. Slap it on a wrap or dip in some veggie sticks to give your meal a nice boost.
Trader Joe's
Vegetable Root Chips
These veggie root chips make a deliciously healthy swap for your traditional potato chips as they're packed with fiber and plenty of color to enjoy!
Trader Joe's
Organic Super Bread
Though you might not guess it at first glance, this loaf contains whole wheat flour, organic rye flour, organic rolled oats, organic millet, organic pumpkin seeds, organic flax seeds, organic sunflower seeds, organic carrots, organic dried apple, and organic dried banana – that's a mouthful! If your 2025 goal is to eat more whole foods without sacrificing a ton of familiar foods, this is the bread for you!
Trader Joe's
Cut Sweet Potatoes
These 'taters come already cut, so all you gotta do is toss 'em in some olive oil and spices, bake on a sheet pan, pair it with a protein, and voila! Dinner is served.
Trader Joe's
Organic Dried Ataulfo Mango Slices
These mango slices make a great healthy snack to enjoy on the go. They taste just like candy, except without all the excess processed sugar.
Trader Joe's
Solid White Albacore Tuna
Protein fiends already know what's up with canned tuna. It's the perfect base for tuna salads, wraps, and bakes. Plus, one can goes for just $2 at TJ's – stock up!
Trader Joe's
Caesar Broccoli Bake Kit
This pre-made kit makes getting a side dish on the table super easy and healthy. It comes with all the fixings, like Caesar dressing, crouton crumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
Trader Joe's
10 Minute Farro
Traditionally, farro takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to fully cook. This bag of Trader Joe's farro defies all tradition and is ready in just 10 minutes! The whole grain is really rich in protein and fiber, so you know you'll be eating healthy when you choose to chow down.
Trader Joe's
Vanilla Bean Whole Milk Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is *the* breakfast hack to rule all breakfast hacks. It's high in protein, plus is typically packed with plenty of probiotics to keep your gut real healthy. Enjoy a heaping scoop with some fresh (or frozen) fruit, granola, and honey to get a tasty start to the day.
Trader Joe's
Rainbow's End Trail Mix Bars
Healthy snacks can be really hard to track down at TJ's, especially since they have so many sinful goodies on their shelves. Luckily, these trail mix bars exist, bringing a yummy medley of oats, nuts, raisins, and chocolatey bits to satisfy that sweet tooth without weighing you down during the day!
Trader Joe's
Carb Savvy Tortillas
If you're set on watching your intake of carbs, these tortillas are a must-have. They contain 21% of your daily recommended value of fiber (6 grams each) according to TJ's, and make an excellent addition to wraps, quesadillas, or just as a snack.
Trader Joe's
Organic Brown Rice Cake Thins
These rice cakes may be thinner than most, but they still boast an enjoyably dense texture, perfect for layering on some peanut butter and banana for an easy, fulfilling snack.
Trader Joe's
Pulled Chicken Salsa Verde
This fully-cooked chicken is ideal for people seeking a convenient, time-saving meal. The salsa verde flavoring instantly qualifies them for delicious tacos, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos – the list goes on! Just pop it in the microwave for 4 minutes, and boom – time to eat!
Trader Joe's
Perfect Bar Peanut Butter Protein Bar
This protein bar is called the Perfect Bar because it's literally perfect. The sweetness is at just the right level, the texture is so satisfying, and the high protein content (17 grams) fills you up easily if you're seeking a substantial mid-day snack.
Trader Joe's
Classic Greek Salad
With this ready-made salad kit, you won't have to think too hard at all about what you're having for a healthy lunch. Feel free to grab 5 at a time, because you will be hooked. Add some chicken or salmon on top to bulk it up with extra protein!
Trader Joe's
Stir Fry Veggie Blend
Why pick up 5 or more individual ingredients for stir fry when you can just grab this $3 bag, cook it, and call it a day? We highly recommend cheffing this up with TJ's Soyaki sauce and your protein of choice.
Trader Joe's
High Protein Organic Tofu
One serving of this tofu contains 14 grams of protein, which is higher than what you can typically find elsewhere. Plus, it's certifiably organic, so it's always gonna be clean eating-friendly.
Trader Joe's
Organic Tricolor Quinoa
Quinoa makes an impressive grain base for bowls and salads. This one boasts a healthy mix of white, red, and black quinoa for some good variety!
Trader Joe's
Crunchy Curls
These 100% vegan bites are the ultimate movie snack and are way healthier than your average bag of theater popcorn. They're made with lentil flour and potato starch for a superb texture every time.
Trader Joe's
Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli Pasta
This organic, gluten-free pasta delivers 4 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving, making each meal nutritious as ever.
Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more of the best Trader Joe's products!
As we all find ourselves with a strange combination of more and less time, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, and a drive to be creative, daily to-dos can feel pretty overwhelming. Luckily, coloring is not overwhelming at all. If you're like me, you might stress a tiny bit about going with traditional colors (should the trees be green?) or unconventional ones (purple trees, yes purple!), but other than that, coloring is an excellent way to zone out and focus on something simple and lovely. For me, coloring is almost like meditation. The act of filling in lines sets my mind at ease, and, in fact, it's been proven that picking up a hobby like coloring is great for the mind and body, helping cognitive, emotional and professional growth. Two birds, one creative stone, right?
It can also feel productive and calming — sort of the opposite of a Netflix binge (although if you haven't watched Tiger Kingyet, just give in). So with all of that in mind, we decided to share 10 of our favorite coloring pages from Brit + Co's Pattern Play coloring book! Download here, and feel free to color outside the lines :)
So, you've found your 2025 word of the year and are ready for the biggest reset of your life. Now all you have to do is map out how you're going to get there. You could opt for vague ideas that live only in your head, but when has that motivated you to achieve your goals in the past?
If you think we're putting you on the spot, we're not! We're here to encourage you to dream boldly by being detailed about what you actually want. Of course, we have the perfect list of deep questions and journal prompts so you can tap into the life you want to live.
Here are 25 deep questions to ask yourself and journal about to guide you toward your 2025 vision of personal growth and self-improvement:
Questions About Your Daily Routine
Please don't throw eggs at us! We know you don't want to feel governed by a schedule like you're in grade school, but there are benefits to having something to guide you daily. According to Northwestern Medicine, you can "reduce stress" and even "get better rest" by having a routine.
If you've been promising yourself to improve in these areas, here are 5 questions to ask yourself:
- How many of hours of sleep do I typically get per night?
- What distractions can I eliminate before bed so I'm not groggy in the morning? (i.e., no more binge watching my favorite TV shows or scrolling mindlessly on TikTok)?
- Do I have a morning routine or do I rush through taking a shower, brushing my teeth, and eating breakfast?
- How do I usually feel when I get to work?
- Am I okay with setting a reminder for myself to take a break during the work day so I can stretch my legs, eat lunch, or go for a quick walk?
Questions About Your Self-Care
Making time for your self-care is a part of your daily routine, but we want to dig deeper by sharing questions that'll help you reflect on how you treat yourself.
- How do I want to feel about myself in 2025?
- Did I have moments I looked in the mirror and didn't like the way my skin or body looked this year?
- Have I been prioritizing my mental health?
- Did I make space for exercising (i.e. walking, yoga, running, etc.)?
- Did I create healthy boundaries with family, friends, or someone I'm dating?
Brit + Co
Questions About Your Career
We almost said, "Here comes the fun part," but that would be unfair for people who consider other areas of their lives more important to chasing a career. If you are focused on pursuing something you're passionate about or simply want to earn a new promotion, here's what you can ask yourself:
- What are my biggest career accomplishments this year?
- What skills do I need to sharpen that align with the position I want?
- How do I respond to constructive criticism?
- What is my usual response to change or tight deadlines?
- Do I ask for help when I don't understand a project or concept?
Brit + Co
Questions About Your Home
Your home is anywhere that you live even if you're renting or living with your parents for the time being.
- How did the energy in my home feel?
- Did I do anything to make it feel like me?
- How can I create a relaxing environment in my room that promotes rest and relaxation?
- Do I want to have a certain aesthetic for my living room, office, etc.?
- What does having a clean and organized home mean to me?
Questions About Your Relationships
Have you been making excuses for toxic friends or ignoring red flags? If it's okay, we're going to sit by you and gently suggest it's time for a change. The kind of life you want to live can't be weighed down by old habits of yours or some of the people you've been spending time with, especially if you've been feeling uncomfortable.
- What kind of friendships do I want to have in 2025?
- Do I have a reliable support system?
- What did I love about my romantic relationship this year?
- Are there certain conversations I need to have with family members, friends, or my partner that I've been avoiding?
- Do I need to change the way I show up in my platonic or romantic relationships?
Get a jumpstart on transforming your space for 2025 with easy feng shui tips!
The '90s were a great time, according to millennials. It was a time of rollerblading, listening to cassette players, playing Super Mario Bros. on Nintendos, having birthday parties at Chuck E. Cheese, and more. Besides this and other pop culture moments that went viral before social media existed, the '90s gave us classic stores we used to frequent as kids.
Despite meeting their demise as the Y2K age took over, we'll never forget the fun memories (and maximalist vibes) these stores gave us!
Take a walk down memory lane by revisiting our favorite '90s stores that will take you back in time (and make you feel old):
Getty Images
1. Party City
Our hearts are hurting because we don't understand why one of the most popular decor stores is closing. The brand was apparently facing "financial challenges," according to it's CEO Barry Litwin (via CNN). There were other issues behind the scenes, but everything trickled down to money, or a lack thereof.
It's so shocking because some of us just picked up a few holiday items from Party City this month! It was one of the stores that seemed to have everything we needed before Amazon became the mega wholesaler that it is today.
I guess this means we should've cherished Party City a little more because it's officially gone.
Getty Images
2. Blockbuster
Long before streaming platforms like Netflix and Peacock existed, people used to spend Friday nights looking at rows of VHS movies to rent. If you were lucky, your parents would stop by Blockbuster before picking up pizza for dinner. It was the ultimate '90s treat…until it wasn’t.
When we want to remember what it felt like visiting Blockbuster, we fast forward to that one scene in I Am Legend where Dr. Robert Neville is going to 'rent' movies. It's a little cringe now that we think about it, but it's the closet memory we have of spending at least 30 minutes picking out the VHS or DVD to watch.
Getty Images
3. Circuit City
Raise your hand if you remember getting your first CD player or computer from Circuit City. The name alone conjures fun memories of running up and down the aisles pretending we could afford all the fun electronics. We watched desktop computers slowly morph into laptops, which seemed like an exciting time. Also, some of us watched our parents lament the cost of the required Texas Instrument calculators we needed for math class.
Although Circuit City isn't around like it used to be, we'll never forget watching the world change through its eyes.
Getty Images
4. Virgin Music Store
If you wanted to be a part of the cool crowd, you visited the Virgin music store. We aptly remember the neon sign and memorable displays that beckoned to us. Although we could find some of the same CDs at Circuit City, the store’s design didn’t feel stuffy.
Getty Images
5. Radio Shack
This one’s personal because we stood in lines with our parents when they bought their first cell phones and DVD players. Also, one of our parents may or may not have purchased a very coveted Bratz convertible that played music from Radio Shack.
Even though it wasn’t the biggest store, it gave us a taste of what the future had for us. Little did we know we’d lose this sweet store though.
6. Border's
As much as we love recommending books from Amazon and local bookshops, we miss when Border’s was around. There’s not much to say about this store besides how grown-up we felt when our parents would let us spend time there while they shopped at their favorite stores in the mall.
Getty Images
7. KB Toys
Aside from Toys ‘R’ Us, we also remember when K.B. Toys was popular. Not unlike today, there wasn’t such a thing as having too many toy stores. Sometimes we found things at K.B.s that felt like a treat. The cluttered aisles probably annoyed our parents, but we were always happy when we were allowed to pick something out.
Getty Images
8. Wet Seal
Yes, Wet Seal made the list of stores we loved in the '90s. Unlike Goody’s, it was specifically geared towards pre-teens and teens who wanted to wear the latest fashions. It was one of the the places to discover your style at the time even if it meant leaving piles of clothes for weary store associates to put back (sorry!)
Though we miss it, we hope no one tries to revive it because we’re sure we’d see a few outdated fashion trends.
Getty Images
9. Esprit
This was another store that screamed 'All American Teen Store.' Unlike Wet Seal, the store's layout and clothing were a little more 'sophisticated.' It spoke to teens who are now adults with a sleeker preppy style. It sounds like a reach, but it's not if you think about it. This store could give you logomania, tenniscore, or something that resembled the outfits from Saved By the Bell at the same time.
10. Goody's
Were you really a '90s kid if your mom didn’t drag you to Goody’s? Shockingly enough, we hardly ever complained because it felt like a huge store we could play in. Plus, it had clothes for everyone.
And if there were a sale during BTS season? You could always count on our moms to leave the store with stuffed shopping bags.
Which '90s stores do you wish were still open? Let us know on Facebook!