I don’t know about you, but my screen time has definitely increased since I started working from home. Between all meetings being on Zoom, and extra scrolling on social media, my brain is tired by the end of the day. So, I’ve been trying incorporate creative projects that are fun and screen-free into my routine. There are actually a lot of options that are affordable or even free. As far as I’m concerned, giving yourself permission to spend time on creativity is a form of self-care and it’s good for your mental health. Here are some ideas for creative projects:
Coloring: As I shared on Instagram, I’ve been coloring a lot more. There are so many fun adult coloring books, but you can also find free printables online. I downloaded these form ban.do, and everything from positively present, and this roundup from BRIT + CO has a bunch more options. I prefer to use colored pencils (this 24 count set is only $2.99), but if you have crayons or markers around, those work too.
Embroidery: A lot of bloggers are getting into needlepoint, but that’s a little intimidating for me. For some reason, I’ve decided that embroidery is more accessible, and I just ordered a couple of kits on Etsy. They’re under $20, and they come with everything you need. I’ll be sure to report back with how it goes!
Friendship Bracelets: Credit to my friend Sarah for this one! She told me she’s been making bracelets as a way to calm her mind during back-to-back Zoom calls. You can get a set of embroidery floss for less than $5.00, or a kit for just a little bit more. Plus, they’re a great gift to send your friends (or give them when you can finally be together again!)
Design Your Own Clothes: This isn’t as intimidating as it sounds! Find an old t-shirt or sweatshirt (or get one for under $10), and order some iron-on letters and designs. Tie-dye is fun too, if you have the space (and desire) to get a little messy.
Photography: Bring your phone or a camera on your daily walks and snap some pictures. Read up on photography tips, or just experiment. Even if you don’t capture anything worth framing, you’ll look at your surroundings with a different perspective.
