If you’re feeling extremely overwhelmed by the current and ever changing situation that the entire world is going through, we’re here to keep your mind at ease for a bit and help you step away from the grey and gloomy cloud that is hovering over Earth right now. Since staying at home is mandatory, why not take the time, jump on that hidden skill bandwagon and give it some growth?! Here are a few helpful suggestions and guidelines for you to pick up. 

GET ARTSY

Getting creative is probably the best thing to do at literally any time of the day, it’s just that flexible. There are so many things to explore when it comes to getting artsy, from sketching, drawing on canvas, to coloring and getting digital for cool illustrations! But, if you’re looking to challenge yourself, then venture out and watch some YouTube videos online for artistic challenges as well as drawing inspirations for your next piece. We already started our art journey, but focused on some weathering items at home that can be re-painted and re-used, and since we’re staying at home then we might as well practice both sustainability and art! 

Some tips: 

• If you’re in need to get your stationary set and ready, Mogahwi has various options for getting artsy and crafty!
• Check out our Up Close & Personal feature with Ahmed Al-Refaie (@owaikeo) who gives several tips on digital art, and the program Procreate for illustrating.
• Since practicing art at home may keep you thinking of how limited the visuals will be, take a look at this account for some pantry projects, you can also make use of your surrounding sceneries, those beautiful clouds might actually make an appearance! 
• Use your water colors and paint by numbers too.

PICK A LANGUAGE 

Have you ever admired or loved the sound and speech of a language other than yours so much that you’ve finally decided it was time to pick it up? Well, the time has arrived! Learn the basics of a new language, expand your knowledge and get lost in the world of linguistics. You can either use Duolingo, which is easy and also free! As well as Rosetta Stone, which is paid, but offers an interactive demo where you can play around with a few language lessons. 

Knit Knitting

Our amazing knit-queen writer at bazaar has actually learned knitting simply from the Internet, and given us a whole article on the experience. Knitting may look difficult, but once you’re used to the pattern, it slowly but surely becomes easier. Knitting is a calming skill, similar to weaving. The more you do it, the more your mind registers all of your body’s motions, and repeats it over and over again. So, if you’re looking to rest your mind and make it focus on simple knitting, go for it! 

SNAP SNAP! 

Get snappy with your cameras! Whether you have a professional camera, a cute collection of colorful polaroids, or a film camera, even your phone cameras. Grab ’em and practice on your photography aesthetics and techniques. This is your chance to start a full on photoshoot at home, go for some art directions with a couple of your family members, and snap those portraits for your memory album, no one will forget the time in which you’ve taken them, it will be ingrained in their minds for a while! 

BEJEWELED 

How about getting a little more crafty by dazzling yourself with some handmade jewelry? Remember the rubber bands we used to make at school when we were kids? Perhaps start from there and work your way up to creating and making beautiful jewelry for yourself, better yet, ask if anyone would like some bonding time at home and start making them together.

GET MUSICAL

If you happen to have an instrument just resting in the house that has  not been touched for a while, pick it up and start practicing! It’s always helpful to bring some good vibes into the household, and music does just that. Pick up a keyboard, sit in front of a piano, take up the guitar, flute or ukulele and learn some tunes to play for everyone once you’ve mastered it. 

SCRAPBOOKING

Ah yes, the days where making a scrapbook with fun questions to get to know your friends better are long gone, but we are keen lovers of a good old throwback. Get some newspapers, or old unused magazines and recycle them by making your very own interactive scrapbook, it’s actually extremely fun, and you can also get artsy with it! It’s almost like journaling, but with fun substitutes that will include your personality, and those who you might share it with at home. 

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT

We really can’t stress this enough, the most important thing to do is to keep yourself as sane as possible. The news we’re receiving is hard to take in, process, and as stressful and overwhelming as they can be, remember to always breathe, keep calm and avoid panic. A skill that will help you in this is practicing some yoga techniques, be in-tune with yourself, your mind, your body, and your entire mental state, and finally, stay safe everyone. 

Feature image by Estee Janssens on Unsplash.