A great DIY project starts with the right material. Choosing the right materials has an impact on how your product looks, weighs and feels in use, which is important because it affects the end user experience and their comfort level. It’s also important to consider if the material will have a negative effect on the environment. Choosing recycled or sustainable materials can reduce your carbon footprint and save money in the long run.

The act of creating, especially through art or craft: I enjoy knitting; it relaxes me and helps to relieve stress.

Taking the time to make something for someone is one of the best gifts you can give them. It shows them that you care and it creates a sense of satisfaction for the person who is receiving the gift as well as for the maker. It’s like the old saying goes “it’s the thought that counts”.

Creativity has been known to boost happiness, improve mental agility, increase gross and fine motor movements, decrease cognitive decline and reduce anxiety. It has even been compared to meditation due to its ability to focus the mind and calm the brain. Practicing creative activities releases dopamine, which is a natural anti-depressant.

We all have the potential for creativity. Whether it’s knitting, painting, gardening or baking. It’s about finding the time to make space in your life for making, and discovering what that means to you.

Having a daily routine can help make sure that you’re giving yourself time to be creative every day. Something simple like making your bed in the morning can be a way of making and claiming your day, giving you a sense of accomplishment before the rest of your to-do list comes rolling in. It’s a simple act that you can easily add to your daily routine.

When people are feeling down, it’s often difficult to engage in hobbies and passions. This is because a lack of interest in activities can lead to depression and anhedonia, a condition that causes you to lose pleasure in things you once enjoyed. But studies have shown that when patients with anhedonia participate in arts and crafts, it can help them regain an interest in their lives.

The benefits of making are endless, but the key is to start small and build up to what feels like a good fit for you. Then you can find your inner maker and continue to grow through the joy of creation.