Choose an activity...by genre
While developing the Creative Toolkit, we heard countless people say 'I can't draw!' or 'I've never been good at poetry!', only to see them produce fantastic pictures and moving verse. We encourage you to experiment with all the activities below in case you surprise yourself -- but if you're especially interested in a certain category, hopefully the groupings below will help you find some inspiration to suit your tastes.
Drawing is great for self-expression and for promoting a 'flow' state; it can also support learning, facilitate recall, and develop your observational skills. If you've never done much drawing, don't worry; the activities below are straightforward and accessible to anyone regardless of their experience with this medium.
For thousands of years, people have turned to writing during troubled times; it supports reflection and offers catharsis. Here you will find options that are poetic and prosaic, artistic and pragmatic.
One benefit of 'mixed media' activities is how tangible and tactile they tend to be; engaging with them offers a great opportunity to get away from your screen for awhile. You can enhance the mindfulness of each of these activities by taking the time to savour the physicality of the tasks, in terms of both the feel of the materials and the way your body responds to the materials and the process of interacting with them.
Few things are as good for mental health and well-being as interacting with nature -- whether that means going outdoors or even just spending some time with pets or houseplants indoors. Researchers have documented the effects of 'green mind' and 'blue mind', revealing the restorative properties of plants and water. This page offers some creative ways of interacting with the natural world.