AtaraxiaFor a long period, manual activities like sewing, crochet, knitting, or even reading were often seen as outdated or even uncool by many. How many times did kids at my school or college make fun of me because I always had a book in hand? And I don’t think I’m alone in that. But now, the shame has shifted. Reading, knitting, crochet, and sewing are becoming increasingly popular, with a clear rise in the interest people are showing in these activities. Being a very hands-on person, I’ll explain my journey with all of these activities, hoping to guide you if you’re unsure about trying one of them.
- Reading
I know it’s not a really manual activities but I would like to share that with you : Reading. I’ve always read. My mother was an avid reader, and it was impossible for me not to follow in her footsteps. If you’ve never read much and you want to start reading more regularly, the first step is to figure out what kind of reading you enjoy. This is simple—what do you like to watch? What kind of movies do you enjoy? Or what do you talk about constantly? If you only enjoy horror movies and often discuss extreme experiences, I wouldn’t recommend jumping straight into romance novels. Find your niche and explore books in that genre. As for books, they can get pretty expensive. To limit the cost, several options are available: secondhand stores, book boxes, libraries, or media libraries. If you’re concerned about the environmental impact but don’t have an e-reader, a tablet, computer, or phone will suffice for reading books online. The choice is yours to make.
- Crochet
When it comes to creative, hands-on activities, one of the first ones I tried was crochet. I find it easier to learn and more liberating in terms of creation than knitting. Before you dive in and buy all the supplies, it’s best to decide what you want to make. One of my biggest mistakes was buying yarn with no real plan. In such cases, even if the yarn is beautiful, without a specific project in mind, you might never use it. Months later, when you finally decide to use it, you may not have enough yarn or even remember where you bought it. So, before purchasing anything, think about what you want to create.
Also, I wouldn’t recommend starting with pre-made kits. Usually, the yarn and hooks are very small, and I suggest starting with at least a 5mm hook. As for ideas and tutorials, the internet is full of free, detailed ones. For example, this little bee is a perfect first project.
- Knitting
Knitting shares many similarities with crochet, so my advice here is pretty much the same. In fact, knitting is a great way to create garments and use finer yarns. But it’s an acquired skill, and I didn’t really fall in love with it the way I did with crochet. Yes, it’s possible to adore crochet and dislike knitting. Regardless, as with crochet, my main advice is: before buying a bunch of stuff just because it looks cool on Instagram, it’s better to define your project and buy accordingly. For both crochet and knitting, those on a smaller budget can check out stores like Action, Target, or Walmart, depending on where you live, for more affordable supplies.
- Sewing
Sewing requires a bigger initial investment, as you need to buy a sewing machine. If you can’t afford a new machine, consider secondhand options, or ask friends or family if they can lend you one until you know whether you’ll like it. More than ever, you’ll need to define your projects before you begin. Buy your fabrics and necessary supplies. Sewing is the most expensive activity in this list, but it’s totally worth it. It’s highly addictive—I love sewing! You can create, repair, or modify anything, and let your imagination run wild. If, like me, you want to start gently, you could make a scrunchie from old clothes or a pouch from a pair of jeans that just tore. Sewing will completely change the way you look at clothing, and in a positively beneficial and healthy way. Here’s the video that helped me make my first scrunchies.
There you go, all my advice for discovering a new passion. No matter what activity you choose, it will boost your creativity and serenity. Before long, you won’t be able to get enough, and I’m sure you’ll love creating your favorite new pieces with your hands. So don’t hesitate more and start a new manual activities.
