We all feel bored from time to time and one of the most effective ways to overcome this is to find ways to creatively express yourself.
Self-expression is incredibly personal, and you’ll know when you find an activity that works for you because you’ll feel calmer and more relaxed during and/or after it.
From cooking to fashion and photography, here are 12 creative activities to help you beat boredom.
1. Keep a journal
Journaling is a powerful form of self-expression that you can do anytime, anywhere. One of the best things about writing down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences is that there are no rules.
While some people choose to write in their journal every day, others only use it when they want to offload strong feelings or gain perspective on a situation. You can also make your journal as neat or as messy as you’d like.
Nelson Mandela’s Conversations With Myself and Virginia Woolf’s A Writer’s Diary are two examples which show how powerful journal entries can be.
To find out more about the benefits of journaling and how to begin, have a read of our article; The power of journaling as a life habit.
2. Make something from scratch
Making something from scratch – whether a wooden stool, a blanket, or a bar of soap – can be very rewarding. And many people find that hands-on DIY activities are a good way to let off steam.
Having a project that you can work on for several hours, days, or weeks at a time can also give you something productive to focus on, while learning some new skills. Plus, it can be a helpful way to turn negative thoughts and emotions into something physical that you can use and benefit from.
When deciding what to make, it’s a good idea to choose something that you feel passionate about, that you can use practically, or that would make a nice gift for a loved one. This way, you’re more likely to enjoy the process and see it through to the end.
Our articles, 12 fun and creative projects that you can do at home and 8 practical DIY skills that you can learn at home, will hopefully offer some ideas if you’re looking for somewhere to start.
3. Try photography
The best thing about photography is that you can do it throughout your day, no matter where you are or what you’re up to. Photography can be a great creative outlet as you can focus on whatever inspires you – whether that’s nature, food, or your pets. It can be a nice way to appreciate some of the sights and scenes that you might usually overlook or take for granted.
If you’re new to photography, you might find it helpful to read our articles; A beginner’s guide to photography and How to take better photos with your phone.
4. Start a scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a great way to distract your mind from negative thoughts, keep your hands busy, and produce something you’re proud of.
The theme of your scrapbook is up to you. For example, you could keep a mood scrapbook, where you create collages that reflect your emotions on any given day, or one that’s full of positive images, words, and photos that’ll cheer you up if you’re ever feeling low.
Or, perhaps you’ve got boxes full of photos and keepsakes which you could spend some time arranging. This can be a nice way to reflect on some of your favourite memories while creating something beautiful that you can show to others and, hopefully, treasure forever. If you don’t have any photos to include, you could consider using cuttings from old magazines or newspapers.
Everyone’s scrapbook will look different – some might be classic and understated, while others might be a busy explosion of colours and images that cover every inch of the pages. Whatever you decide to create, the most important thing is that you have fun with it and express yourself.
You can buy scrapbooks and craft supplies pretty cheaply on websites like Amazon, Hobbycraft, and The Works. You might also like to buy stickers, patterned paper, and coloured pens.
For scrapbooking inspiration, why not watch the short video below?
5. Cook or bake
Cooking can be a great way to overcome boredom. There’s so many options for what you can whip up, and because it engages all of the senses, cooking is a great outlet for creative freedom. You can cook your favourite dishes or experiment with a new recipe that includes colours, textures, smells, and tastes that appeal to you.
Cooking is also an act of self-care. There’s something satisfying about knowing that you’re looking after yourself and your loved ones by creating a tasty treat to enjoy.
When I lived with a close friend of mine, I could always tell how she was feeling by her activity in the kitchen. If she was ever feeling low, she’d bake several loaves of bread to deliver to friends and family. Or, if she was feeling particularly happy, she’d usually be found making her favourite curry with all the extras.
If you need some cooking inspiration, it’s worth checking out the food and drink section of our website. Alternatively, why not see if there are any upcoming food and drink demonstrations on Rest Less Events?
6. Draw or paint
Anyone can use drawing or painting as a form of creative expression – regardless of how good an artist you consider yourself to be. While you might take up these activities with the intention of developing your technique and honing your craft, you can put pencil or brush to paper as a way to let loose and express yourself too.
Your art doesn’t need to make sense to anyone but you – nor do you have to show it to anyone if you don’t want to – which is what makes it so liberating. You can be completely free from rules or expectations.
To get started, our guides on painting or drawing will hopefully offer some handy tips. Or, head over to Rest Less Events to browse upcoming arts and crafts classes.
7. Exercise
It’s unusual to ever regret doing a workout. Even if it was tough or you didn’t perform as well as you would’ve liked to, you’ll normally get some level of satisfaction from it. This is mostly down to the fact that when we exercise, our bodies release endorphins (happy hormones) which make us feel good.
Many people say that if they’re feeling anxious or moody and they do some exercise, they feel calmer and better able to cope with the rest of the day afterwards. Exercise can also help us to relax and improve sleep quality.
If you’d like to use exercise as an outlet, it’s important to choose something that you enjoy. This could be anything from running and dancing to martial arts and yoga. And if you’re unsure where to begin, the fitness and exercise section of our website has plenty of ideas. Or, why not check out the upcoming fitness classes running on Rest Less Events?
8. Experiment with fashion
Presenting yourself in a way that you like can help you feel more positive and affect how confident and motivated you feel.
Experimenting with different looks and outfits is also a way to express your uniqueness, and to strengthen the connection you have with yourself. Dressing in a way that makes you feel good has the potential to empower you. And when we feel empowered, we’re more likely to believe we can tackle anything that comes our way!
Plus, spending some time experimenting with different outfits, hairstyles, grooming regimes, and/or makeup can be fun!
For inspiration and ideas, head over to the fashion and beauty section of our website.
9. Create a vision board
We often begin to feel bored when we lose sight of our dreams and ambitions, and feel like we’re not working towards anything. So, one way to get back in touch with your goals is to put together a vision board.
Vision boards are great for helping you look forward to the future and imagine a reality beyond the one that you’re currently in. They’re usually a collection of colours, words, and images that mean something to you and represent the future that you’d like to create. If you put your board somewhere that you’ll see it every day, it can be a helpful reminder of the steps you need to take to achieve your dreams.
Vision boards are straightforward to make and you can spend as much or as little time working on yours as you’d like. You can also add to it over time, or create a new one as your goals change.
All you’ll need to get started is a cork board (or a large piece of paper) and some drawing pins. Then, you’ll need to gather as many photos and inspirational words as possible so that you can arrange these on your board in a way that makes sense to you.
Our detailed guide, How to create an inspiring vision board, offers more information.
10. Immerse yourself in music
Perhaps you’ve got a keyboard, an old harmonica, or a guitar that’s sat around gathering dust – or maybe you’ve always enjoyed singing but have never dedicated much time to it. If so, why not develop your musical talents?
YouTube has countless tutorials that can help you learn to play musical instruments, songwrite, and sing. The music section of our website also has lots of ideas to help you get started. For example, you’ll find articles like 7 of the easiest musical talents for adults to learn and 3 reasons why folk music could be your new favourite hobby.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to create your own music, listening to music can be a great way to boost your mood. Why not try putting together a playlist? You could make one filled with all your favourite tracks, a playlist for when you need motivation, or even one filled with sad songs that’ll be perfect for times you need a cry. Check out our article, 10 of the best Spotify playlists for every mood, for inspiration.
11. Chat to people
One of the best ways to beat boredom is to reach out to the people in your life, whether for a friendly catch up or the chance to offload your feelings. One easy way to stay connected is to video call loved ones, which is a flexible and accessible way to have a chat. Or, if you’re suffering from screen fatigue, you might prefer a phone call or to meet in person – perhaps for a walk or a coffee.
You can also connect with new people via support groups, online forums, or Facebook groups. These are great places to have interesting or helpful conversations with people who share similar interests, or who are going through similar experiences to you.
If you’re looking to grow your social circle, you might find it helpful to read our articles; 9 different ways to meet new people and 12 ways to make new friends. Alternatively, there are various community groups on Rest Less Events which can be a nice way to chat to some new people. For example, why not join the lunch club, feel good group, or book club?
If it’s romantic companionship you’re looking for, you may like to sign up for Rest Less Dating. Or head over to the dating section of our website for tips and advice.
12. Spruce up your living space
What better time to choose a new colour for your bedroom walls, hang some wall art, or reshuffle the living room than when you’re feeling bored? Not only will this help you fill your time, but it’ll also give you the opportunity to get creative, change your surroundings, and make your home feel more alive.
Before you start doing this, it can be helpful to spend some time thinking about what you enjoy, how you feel when you’re at home, and how you’ll be using your living space. This will help guide the choices you make.
For example, if you work from home, perhaps you could create an organised space that’s exclusively for work. Or, there are countless things you can do to brighten up a space or redecorate. For example, simple touches like adding rugs, plants, throws, or cushions can make a huge difference.
The home and garden section of our website has plenty more ideas. Here, you’ll find articles like; 10 affordable ways to improve your living space and 8 ways to make your home cosy.
Final thoughts....
Not knowing what to do with your time can leave you feeling deflated, moody, and frustrated. However, there are plenty of activities you can do to help beat boredom – and these are just 12 ideas. Whether you want to start journaling, learn a new hobby, or redesign your home, we hope you’ve been inspired.
For further reading, head over to the hobbies and activities and learning sections of our website. Or, why not browse upcoming events on Rest Less Events?
Have you found any of the activities above helpful in beating boredom? Do you have any other suggestions? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.