Lake Stories

03 Jun 2026 6-minute read

Anyone Can Color, Even If You're Sure You Can't

I want to make a fairly bold claim, and then spend the rest of this post backing it up: coloring works for everyone. Not just for kids. Not just for "creative types." Everyone. And I say this as someone who spent most of her adult life confident she wasn't part of that everyone.

28 May 2026 3-minute read mental health

Coloring for Humans: Why It's Good for Your Mental Health

We live in a world more digitally connected than ever, and yet loneliness is at an all-time high. This Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to talk about human connection. And surprisingly, coloring.

Blog cover showing five recommended coloring books and the author's photo, titled "5 Mood-Boosting Coloring Books"

21 May 2026 4-minute read coloring books

5 Coloring Books to Try When You Need a Mood Boost

Stressed, tired, or just in a funk? Here are 5 coloring books I reach for when I need a mood boost - calming, colorful, and made by real human artists.

13 May 2026 4-minute read features & updates

The Mental Health Ritual That Doesn't Feel Like Homework

Mental health rituals don’t have to feel like another chore. In this article, we explore how Coloring Journal helps turn coloring into a simple daily ritual - a calming way to reduce stress, quiet busy thoughts, and create small moments of mindfulness without pressure or perfection.

10 May 2026 3-minute read

Small Things That Matter and Make a Big Difference

A few of us at Lake on the small, specific things we do for our mental health - the kind that don't make it into wellness articles but quietly keep us going.

07 May 2026 6-minute read coloring books mental health

Five Coloring Books for My Mental Health

We talk about mental health a lot - and we should. But sometimes it's hard to know what actually helps. For me, one of the answers has been coloring. Here are the five coloring books I reach for most when I need to take care of myself - and yes, you'll probably notice I have a type.

01 May 2026 6-minute read interview artists

Interview with the artist: Iris van den Akker

Meet Iris van den Akker, a digital illustrator, a queen of color, and the creative mind behind three coloring books in the Lake app: Females & Florals, Culinary Color, and her latest New Heroines.

29 Apr 2026 5-minute read coloring iphone app

5 Apps Worth Keeping on Your Phone

After years of downloading and deleting, my phone is finally in a good place. These are the five apps that survived.

17 Apr 2026 4-minute read artists interview earth month

"I Can't Change the World, So I've Chosen to Create My Own" - A Conversation with Adrien Gaudin

Adrien Gaudin can't change the world. So he's chosen to create his own — one illustration at a time.

17 Apr 2026 5-minute read coloring books

5 Coloring Books That Celebrate the Earth: My Picks for Earth Day 2026

Hello April - Earth Month! To celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd, here are five coloring books in Lake that capture the beauty of our planet: mountains, wild animals, tropical paradises, birth flowers, and mindful moments in nature. A little inspiration for your next coloring session 💚