I am always looking for ways to de-stress while sparking my creativity! I have been on the hunt for ways to calm my nervous system and to learn to relax (weird how we have to learn that huh). The things that have been coming up as I am learning this are breathing (another weird one to learn and practice haha), exercise, doing something creative, working with your hands, getting outside, and finding community. I want to help you do the same, that’s why this list will give you a good starting point and spark some creativity or relaxation for you!
My mind is not calm on most days, it is a supercharged squirrel hopping from one thing to another. Between replaying conversations and trying to plan what to do next in my day or make sure that dinner is covered and I am not forgetting to do anything my brain is TIRED. All of the things I have in my de-stress and up my creativity list are things that I find help quiet my brain. The only problem is making time for them, in my opinion the things listed are just as important as going to work, eating healthy and being there for those who need you. I try to fit them into my day whenever I can. I am trying to get out of the mindset of what “self care” looks like, for me it’s doing things I have listed below and self-care is a requirement everyday not just when you have time or when all of the stars align. I would love to find a new word for it, self-care has turned into a spa day, or a massage or a luxury thing that you do which is fine but it’s not sustainable to do those things daily whereas the list I have put together can be done daily with I believe even more benefits than if you did the traditional self-care every now and then.
I want to challenge myself (and you!) to set up a space or a basket with one of the creative items in it so that when you get a pocket of time like 5-15 minutes you have no excuses but to pick it up and have a few minutes of peace and calm for your mind. My challenge is to use those small blocks of time to do something listed even if it feels like it’s “not enough time” to get anything accomplished. I am working on adjusting my thinking to know that 10 minutes of a calm mind IS an accomplishment and that the little blocks of time add up to real results.
So, I challenge you to either use my list below or create your own list and make a basket or spot in your house or even your car to create a de-stress and creativity kit to have handy when a small block of time shows up!
TIP: If you have a project that you need to try and remember what step you are on I suggest leaving a pen and notepad in your basket. Before you move on to the next thing in your day try writing the step you left off on so that when you have 10 minutes you can get right into the activity without having to try and figure out where you left off. I have also used these small pockets of time to try and “prep” projects for these crafting sessions, it feels more relaxing when I don’t have to prep the parts that are less fun like ironing, pinning etc. Let’s get to the list!
1. Knitting or Crochet
Elevation Handmade offers a beginners knitting course as a stand alone course but it’s also included inside The Makers Club Membership!
My favorite crochet projects are easy blankets that use repeating stitches or amigurumi projects. I have a long term crochet blanket that I chained like 300, and then just do a double crochet over and over, it’s so relaxing and mindless.
2. Hand Sewing
Hand sewing is such a great portable craft that you can take anywhere. I love sewing on my sewing machine but I don’t like that I am confined to my sewing room. Hand sewing is great because you can take it travelling, or even just sitting outside or while watching a movie with your family. My favorites for hand sewing are projects like English paper piecing and hand piecing a quilt.
Elevation Handmade offers individual courses on hand sewing, and English paper piecing. They are also included inside The Makers Club membership.
3. Doodling
I am a major doodler in meetings, it helps me to keep my attention. When I am prepared 🙂 I like using these pens or these ones and googling things like “doodle pattern ideas”. Doodling is great during boring meetings but is really fun to do on purpose with fun designs and patterns haha! (You can even combine this with watercolor if you use sharpies to doodle. Doodle your design and fill in the spaces with a watercolor wash)
4. Coloring pages and Reverse coloring books
There are coloring pages inside The Makers Club, or you can purchase a coloring book, or even print individual pages that you find. I also like this reverse coloring book. I use the pens that I like for doodling. They are painted and then you add the pen lines in whatever pattern or design you like.
5. Watercolor
I have been learning to watercolor and it is so fun and while I am painting my brain is calm, I am loving it! I am taking Watercolor 101 by Mallory Jane, and I am having fun learning more!
6. Taking a walk outside and deep breathing
Taking a walk (yes, even a short one) is great and even better if you can go outside in the fresh air!
So far the breathing techniques I find most easily accessible are box breathing or when you simply slow your breathing and try to make your exhale longer than your inhale. This is a work in progress for sure.
7. Exercise
I was a personal trainer when I was younger and I would get stuck on trying to program workouts for myself and then just not doing it because I wanted it to be perfect (eye roll). I finally realized that I just wanted someone to tell me what to do and also something I could do at home. My personal favorite is to find an app or a Youtube channel you like so that when it’s time to exercise you just follow along, no more planning or decisions to make. Now I have no excuses and I am way more consistent.
8. Clay crafts
I have done many different clay crafts from using a pottery wheel, polymer clay, air dry clay and model magic clay. They are all so fun and tactile to work with, there is something about working with clay that has a different feel than other mediums. I suggest if you only have a few minutes to play, use model magic clay. It is portable and makes little to no mess and once you are finished just let it dry and it’s finished! The other types of clay are wonderful if you have a little more time and are willing to do more finishing work.
9. Reading for fun (notice I said fun?)
If you are like me you are trying to jam in any opportunity to learn or get better into every moment of your day. Because of that, I never used to read for fun. It all changed when I got a kindle for my birthday and now I love to read before bed, and take it camping and when we travel. There is also something about an e-reader that I can track the words better than with actual books. I also enjoy audiobooks too when I am on a walk, or doing one of my favorite crafts listed above.
