When was the last time you carved out time for yourself to ‘make’? Not for something that had to be done or for your business, but just for the joy of it.
Making can include a lot of different things, but crafting is a big one. Anyone who knows me well knows I LOVE a bit of craft & always have & – BONUS – it has shown to improve mental agility, improves motor movements & decreases cognitive decline. Crafting also has been shown to be a natural antidepressant.
Neuroscientists are beginning to see how studies on cognitive activities such as doing crossword puzzles might also apply to someone who does complex quilting patterns. Others are drawing connections between the mental health benefits of meditation & the zen reached while painting or sculpting.
As well as being relaxing, making something is usually the opposite of time spent on our laptops or phones for work. Here’s a few ideas of what you could be making this week:
1) Friendship bracelets
Taking us back to our childhoods (I’m still making them today & gave a whole bunch of them to friends this weekend!) because YES, friendship bracelets are totally back in fashion! Take note from fans of artists like Harry Styles & Taylor Swift who swap bracelets with song lyrics spelt out at their concerts.
2) Journaling
This is never not in fashion. Do it, do it… to document your trips, goals or even just day to day life. Stick in receipts, tickets, photos, magazine cut outs & more. I have notebooks filled with scribbles from workshops, brain dumps & downloads. Plus, there’s so much inspiration on Pinterest.
3) Knitting or crochet
Look to Tom Daley for motivation! Also me. Yeeeears ago I decided to ‘bring back crochet’ & got obsessed with different wools, learning ‘how to’ on YouTube & then doing it on the actual tube & now have about 20 scarves (many unfinished) in my closet. I even set up an Etsy way back when.
4) Pottery
On the list to get behind the wheel now I’m back in Costa Rica as it’s a bit of a trend over there. Head to a class or start with air dry clay to keep it simple. It’s a therapeutic practice for so many people & you might end up with a new set of plates & bowls as a result! RESULT!
What else would you add to the list? Happy making this week!
