12 Days of Self-Care | Get Creative
Sometimes self-care means using your brain in a new way. Giving the usual activities a rest to try something new and different can feel like a mental vacation, and sometimes that’s all we need to reset.
Between my food blog and my photography business, I am using the creative side of my brain constantly. But here’s the thing: I spend so much time staring at a computer screen! Some days, especially during my really busy season with Rachael Lauren Photography, I feel like my eyes are going to explode out of my face because of how much time I have spent editing photos. Gross, right? You’re welcome for that lovely mental image.
What I’ve realized is that I need a creative outlet that has nothing to do with my computer or my phone. So, I started hand lettering as a fun hobby and it has been so wonderful! As soon as I start working on a hand lettering project, I feel my muscles relax and my inspiration grow. My breathing slows down and so do my thoughts. There is so much satisfaction for me in this little side hobby and I’m thankful I started doing it a few months ago.
Hand lettering is what works for me now, but you may be a bigger fan of grown-up coloring books (yes, they’re super fun and I don’t care about the people who laugh at them). Maybe reading is your jam. My husband has gotten really into wood burning. Maybe taking a pottery class would be up your alley. There are so many ways to get creative and use a different part of your brain.
Why you should get creative:
Even if you don’t feel like you are naturally very creative, making something with your hands can be therapeutic and calming.
Not everything in life gives us tangible results. The process of making something that we can hold in our hands offers a sense of accomplishment and closure that we may feel is lacking in other areas of our lives.
You can invite your friends and family to join you! Connecting with others through creative avenues is wonderful for deepening and strengthening relationships and often takes away some of the pressure we may feel trying to have meaningful conversations.
How to get started:
Start small. Find a small notebook, a pencil or pen you love, and see what happens.
Check with your local recreation center for classes they offer in pottery, weaving, drawing or painting, etc. Taking a class will give you knowledge and confidence!
Watch online tutorials to help you learn how to do certain activities. I do this for hand lettering to learn different styles and to try out different techniques. This helps keep it interesting!
How do you exercise your creative side? How did you find your creative outlet? Tell us all about it in the comments!
