Is it normal to enjoy tracing things as a teenager?

92% Normal
7 Comments

I am a 17 year old junior in high school & I really like tracing outlines of pictures (not to say that i drew them or anything i'm actually very terrible at drawing). I just find it really relaxing. My mom saw my doing it one day & said that it's for little kids. I mean it's not like i wanna be an artist when i get older. I just like doing this in my spare time because i honestly don't have a lot of friends so i get bored. I also have really bad ADHD & it keeps my hands busy. I like doing it while listening to relaxing music because it calms me down.

Voting Results
92% Normal
Based on 39 votes (36 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • Para-noir
    8 years ago

    Normal, and it's harmless, so not really something your mom should be putting her 2 cents in about.

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  • TrustMeImLying
    8 years ago

    damn. The last time I traced I must have been around age 9. For me it was just coins or any surface/object that had a rough traceable surface. I forget if there was a name for that kind of tracing.

    Anyway, you're absolutely fine. I knew a person who was ~30 and would buy coloring books cause that was one of her ways of relaxing. I find it cool for an adult to retain a hobby or two from their childhood.

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    • Freedom_
      8 years ago

      Rubbing. It's a common printmaking technique. There are people who actually do this as part of their careers :P

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      • TrustMeImLying
        8 years ago

        ah yes. Rubbing. Danke *rubs you*

        What other interesting artsy info you got in that balloon you call your head? Hmm. Keep it all close... you might just need it...... one day...... more ellipses...

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        • Freedom_
          8 years ago

          *Ruminates over practical uses for clay modeling, tennebrism and impasto*

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  • unionclocks
    8 years ago

    I understand how u feel kinda, I like to trace things when my anxiety gets high.

    Its perfectly understandable for ADHD too, and honestly, not something that should concern ur mother, or anyone for that matter, not like it's affecting them???

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  • BigKid123
    8 years ago

    No just for little kids. Many artists, like myself, have done it as a warm up/cool down, to make some muscle memories, or just to chill and for fun. There are loads of colouring books out now that are labeled "art therapy for adults".

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