Tired of scrolling through social media? Try these 20 creative projects to keep your mind active and your hands busy.
When I was growing up, my dad’s favorite saying was, “A clever child is never bored.” (That refrain was a must for him: we lived in 1990’s rural Kansas with three channels and no internet!) Admittedly, options for entertainment abound in modern times, and many of us find ourselves scrolling through social media feeds when boredom strikes. So, here’s my proposal: squelch the scroll. Let’s cultivate our cleverness away from feeds and get creative instead. Today, I’m pleased to present 20 engaging ideas to accomplish that.
There are several projects on the TPK Blog that you can use to add warmth and personality to your home! These are my three favorite frame-worthy projects:
Let your mood dictate what you choose to read! If you’re looking to feel inspired artistically, you can try one of these eight picks. Remember that many books are available to you for free or as part of a service you’re already paying for. A reader recently recommended Open Library to me, and I’m so impressed at the selection (and the fact that all the books there are free).
An obvious book resource is your local library, which very likely offers free audiobooks and eBooks/magazines that you can access from home. I recently discovered that Spotify has audiobooks, too! For a fun and cheap collection of books, also consider checking out your local thrift store.
Why not put down the phone and catch up with a friend or family member “old school” style? In this article, you can find several inspiring tips for sending snail mail. If you can’t think of anyone to write, send an encouraging note to a More Love Letters recipient.
I mean … you knew this would appear on a TPK list of boredom-busting suggestions, right? You can start your calligraphy journey with this free YouTube tutorial. If you enjoy that calligraphy preview, consider ordering a starter kit and enrolling in The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course.
A sketchbook journal provides an amazing way to channel your creativity and process your feelings! You can find my tips for starting a sketchbook journal here.
A bullet journal is different from a sketchbook journal because it’s more like a planner. It’s a great way to stay on track with goals, let yourself dream, and and organize your thoughts in a structured way. You can find some serious bullet journal inspiration here.
I won’t lie to you: I’d much rather sit at my desk and draw or do calligraphy than exercise. At the same time, exercise provides a serious mood boost and is imperative for our health. That’s why it’s important to incorporate it in to your everyday routine. How you do that depends on you: if you don’t mind home workouts, try out different routines on YouTube.
Of course, if the weather is nice outside, you can go for a walk. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, jump into a fitness class or try a new-to-you sport like pickleball (my mom’s new obsession). Even though many of us creatives love to sit quietly for hours at a time, exercise can help balance that out and keep us feeling energized and inspired.
That’s right — I’m putting this one right after the workout suggestion. 🙂 Try baking to add some good smells and cozy vibes to your home! You’ll likely find that getting creative in the kitchen feels like making art at your desk. No matter what your culinary preferences are, try browsing recipes on Pinterest. I’ve found so many favorites there, including this comforting soup, this delicious smoothie, and this amazing Parisian flan.
The beauty of the internet is the sheer volume of information available! This website has thousands of courses — some through ivy league universities — that you can use to learn something new.
What better way to celebrate your family than with a modern family crest? A family crest acts like a logo for your family. You can use it on stationery, as artwork for your home, or as a return address stamp! You can learn how to make one here, and find several pieces of family crest inspiration here.
Some weeks, I get really ambitious and plan out our meals. Those are the weeks that I end up feeding myself and my family the healthiest, tastiest foods! You can meal plan in a bullet journal, or you can print out a meal planner PDF.
You don’t need a yard to start a garden; just a few seeds, pots, and a sunny spot will do just fine. If you do have a yard, though, you can do some research online about what you can plant right now. Not a great time to plant? Plan out the garden now, then add plants when it makes sense!
Want to feel mega productive? Clean up your space. You know how it goes: there are some special days where you really feel like cleaning and organizing. If the cleaning bug bites, embrace it!
I love visiting museums in real life, but I haven’t gone in a while because of my young children. (I don’t even want to think about the kind of damage my 2-year-old could do in a place like the Louvre.) If you also can’t make it to a museum at the moment, consider one of these virtual tours. Looking at others’ art is a great way to stimulate your own inner artist.
You can find lots of free adult coloring pages online, but some of my favorites are from Flow Magazine‘s website. You can find six fabulous calming printables here.
My husband is a huge cinephile, and he loves tastedive.com for finding new TV series and movies. It led him to his favorite shows, including Mad Men and Deadwood. I, on the other hand, love it for finding new books and podcasts.
As someone who married into a Spanish-speaking family, I am no stranger to learning a language online. I loved learning Spanish with Duolingo, a free language learning app. I devoted 30 minutes per day to using the app, and it paid off big time when I returned to Peru and could finally have conversations with my in-laws.
You can always visit your favorite city through art! To do that, get out your watercolors and make a map! You can find detailed instructions over how to do so in TPK’s Watercolor Illustrated Maps 101 eCourse, or read the basic instructions in this tutorial.
I love having extra birthday cards on hand to send out throughout the year. Any time is a great time to create a surplus. You can find all of TPK’s birthday card tutorials here.
I have to save the best for last. Whenever I’m feeling restless, I make mail art. In my opinion, it’s the best boredom buster there is! Decorating an envelope is a bite-sized project that’s meant to make someone else feel special. You can use it to try out some new illustration concepts or practice your calligraphy and/or penmanship and hand-lettering.
There are many, many mail art tutorials on the TPK website. Find the one that appeals to you most (here), then give it a try! (Hint: If you can’t think of a recipient, look through the More Love Letters requests.)
Next time boredom knocks, remember your inner clever child and choose one of the ideas on this list. You’ll be so glad you chose to pursue one of these instead of scrolling social media!
Warmly,
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