C is for . . .
In this frantic, frazzled world, sometimes it can feel like spending precious time doing something creative is an unnecessary indulgence. But taking time out to do something we enjoy is essential to our mental (and sometimes physical) wellbeing. You don’t have to be an ‘arty’ person or someone with lots of spare time to get into creative pursuits – just the willingness to have a go! Here are a few ideas to get you started...
Don’t let the celebrity chefs put you off with their ‘Les Halles Vichysoisse’ and their ‘macerated berries’ and ‘reductions’ - cooking can be an uncomplicated joy and a useful creative outlet.
As well as creating something that you can enjoy eating, the simple act of chopping vegetables or trying new combinations of ingredients is a great way to unwind.
Have a browse in the cookery section of your local library, or ask a librarian for a cookbook they recommend, as there are plenty of great cookbooks focused on family recipes or practical home cooking. We also have many baking books too, if you fancy a sweet treat...
Interior Design
We’ve all spent too long within the same four walls these last two years. Maybe you’re itching to change things up a bit, design-wise, but not sure how to start. There are plenty of really useful books on interior design in libraries across Devon, and if you’re after something specific, you can reserve it in. Pinterest is also a great place for creative inspiration – you can ‘pin’ images to your own online pinboards to create a creative moodboard of ideas.
Creative Writing
There may be a novel in you, or maybe you enjoy poetry. There’s a wealth of information out there for those starting out writing, both on the internet and in libraries – but before you get too deep into research and it gets overwhelming, step back and think about what you like to read, and what you would like to write.
- Are there subjects that you always gravitate to in books?
- Mother-daughter relationships, ghosts, missing people, obscure Devonian folk tales?
Make a list and let yourself daydream about possible plots and characters before you even put a word down on the page. It all counts as writing - you’re brainstorming. Keep a notebook with you for any story ideas that pop up at awkward times. And when you feel ready to get writing...off you go!
After all, you’re not writing for a test at school or a book deal, this is something entirely for you and your own enjoyment.
What If You Spoke - Creative writing masterclasses
Here's an opportunity for young people to to get their voices heard through a series of FREE short tutorials in a range of writing styles covering journalism, nature, creative, life, comics, poetry, all filmed exclusively for Evolve by some of the top names in their fields.
Quick Creativity for those snatched moments
You have five minutes left of lunch break, or ten minutes waiting in the car at school pick-up time. How about:
- Cross stitch. The perfect thing to pick up and put down, a cross stitch hoop can be tucked in the glove box of your bar or your desk drawer. Make a bookmark for yourself or cross stitch your Christmas cards! Great for mindfulness.
- Meditation. This comes under mindfulness too. Set a timer and find yourself somewhere to sit where you won’t be disturbed, then focus on relaxing your breathing and awareness of where your body touches the chair or the floor until you feel grounded. Let your mind wander to wherever it goes – this gets you into a more creative state.
- Sketching. You can get some neat, reasonably-priced sketchbooks that are just the right size to fit into a handbag. Armed with a little sketchbook, pencil and rubber, you can try sketching still lifes (your coffee mug and apple at your desk), landscapes (the view of the garden from the kitchen window), portraits (people in the park or your fabulously hairy dog) or just let your creativity run wild and doodle something beautifully abstract! The limited time helps you resist the joyless urge to make things perfect, too.
