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One of the benefits of spending more time at home these days is that it has enabled me to catch up on a lot of the DIY projects that have been weighing on my mind for the longest time. Take, for instance, this one lampshade project I wanted to tackle but never had the chance to. An idea came to me one night to use an old skirt I was tired of wearing but thought would make a great impact on the lamp. This is one of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to refresh your home using clothes in your closet. I simply cut the skirt using the lampshade as my guide similar to these instructions here, and voila!
I don’t know about you, but when I don’t purge my mind of its to-do list, it makes me feel unsettled, restless, unfocused, and forgetful until I get these things done. Especially when it comes to improving a corner of my home. Besides, the process of seeing the transformation of old, tired or ordinary objects come to life gives me the greatest feeling on earth and the bonus – it also saves me cash on buying new items that will not be as special as a customized piece created or revived with my own hands.
Moreover, working on fun DIY projects is a form of therapy for me. It’s a very simple way to reset when I’m feeling bored, stressed, or anxious. Here are at least 4 reasons why:
1. Clears the mind. It helps me take a moment to slow down and create, which is rejuvenating to me.
2. Distracts from negative thoughts. Stillness is the space where all creative expression and peace come to be. Once you get in the flow of working on your project, it’s hard to dwell on troubling thoughts and worries. As the mind becomes fully engaged, it brings you right into the present moment and pushes anxiety outside.
3. Builds self-esteem and confidence. Creating things and working with your own hands is an activity that slowly but surely, gives this tangible result as you see the improvement of a piece. That’s when you get this satisfying sense of achievement.
4. Reduces stress. It’s been said that creating can reduce cortisol, which is the ‘stress hormone’. Naturally, doing something you love releases endorphins – the ‘feel-good’ chemicals that combat stress. I can definitely attest to the truthfulness of that for I find that not only my mental distress but also all my body pains go away when I’m immersed in my creative work.
Try it yourself and I think you’ll agree with me. Exercising our creativity gives us an outlet from our daily routine that oftentimes doesn’t fully engage our minds. When we take the time to slow down and express our emotions creatively, it boosts our happiness levels in no time.
See more of my DIY projects here.