In this fast-paced world, we seem to have lost the idea of doing things that make us feel fulfilled. You have probably heard the expression that “the simple things in life are what make us feel happy.” Well, it is true, and despite our best intentions, we constantly fail to appreciate the world and the people around us.

Unfortunately, the simple pleasures in life like going out for a walk to watch the sunrise often feel out of reach. Despite our best intentions and the wanting to do something that can be called innovative or creative, we are consumed by schedules and the need to make money to pay the mortgage. Days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months as life and what we would really like to do just seem to pass us by.

With this in mind, we have come up with several creative ideas to take the norm out of reality and look at how we can improve our life by looking at the world through a fresh pair of eyes. Why not find ways to spend time away from social media and the constant need to keep checking your email and indulge yourself in one of the creative endeavors we have listed below.

LEARN HOW TO PAINT

Painting is not an expensive hobby to take up and has several mediums to select, including acrylics, oils, and watercolors. While there is nothing glamorous about being a self-taught artist, there is an endless pool of online classes and YouTube videos from which you can learn. Painting is relaxing and gives you a sense of pride and accomplishment about what you have created.

SPEND THE DAY AT AN ART MUSEUM OR BOOK A VIRTUAL TOUR

Forget about the masterpieces you think you must see by avoiding the crowds at the Lourve and Prado and focusing on a painting that appeals to you. Unfortunately, the average person who visits an art museum spends 20 and 30 seconds looking at a painting.

When visiting an art museum, you have to remember it is not about seeing every painting but to find one or two and connect with the art and the person who painted it. This way, when you emerge from the gallery, you may feel inspired to go out and paint your own masterpiece.

WRITE A CHILDREN’S BOOK

Once you have mastered the art of drawing and painting, why not use your skills to write and illustrate a children’s book? First, you will need to create a concept and develop the main character that children can relate to. Do a little research on Google to see if your idea is original or someone else has stolen your thunder. If you want to stand out from the crowd, add a twist or two or even an unexpected ending to make your book stand out from the rest. 

START A BOOK CLUB

With the fast-paced world in which we live, very few of us have the time to curl up in front of the fire with a good book. It is a huge mistake on our part as books are much better than films. Books allow you to develop your imagination and are much more detailed than films as they do not need to cram the story into a two-hour time frame. Starting a book club can be a lot of fun as it costs virtually nothing to set up and allows you to expand your social calendar. No matter how serious the discussion can become, getting together with like-minded people and chatting will enhance your life.

LEARN TO PLAY AN INSTRUMENT

Learning to play an instrument is a creative activity you can use to improve your skills and will help you overcome any challenges or doubts you may have. Learning to play a musical instrument helps to sustain the brain and improves

many other cognitive and physical aspects of the body. Categorized in families musical instruments are defined as being:

• Strings: Violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, and the ukulele.
• Brass: Saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and tuba
• Woodwind: Flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon
• Keyboard: Piano, organ, and harpsichord.
• Percussion: drums, cymbals, and maracas

Music provides a healthy creative outlet that relieves stress and can improve your social life. Selecting what instrument to play is a matter of personal choice and may depend on your ethnic background or whether you prefer classical music to rock and roll. No matter what instrument you decide to pick up it is never too late to learn a new skill.