Making is creating something with your hands, whether it’s a work of art or a homemade meal. While there are plenty of things you can buy at a store or order at a restaurant, there’s a distinct satisfaction to making the item yourself. And it can also teach you valuable skills that apply to other areas of life.

For instance, if you’re making something for someone else, it can teach you how to be a better listener and a more thoughtful gifter. Similarly, if you’re working on a home improvement project, it can teach you to think about materials and how they’ll be used over time.

It can also teach you how to be self-sufficient, because when you’re doing something by yourself it requires a certain amount of autonomy and independence. And if you’re making a work of art, it can teach you to be more forgiving of yourself if you don’t meet your expectations.

But, for some people, the idea of being creative can feel intimidating and limiting. They might not have the skills or space to create what they want, or they might worry about what other people will think of their finished product. And it’s also possible that they will get frustrated when their attempts fail and never start trying again.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the benefits of making and share some ideas for getting started. We’ll look at how it can help you be more resourceful, expressive and resilient, as well as some of the ways it can improve your mental health.

There are plenty of reasons to make more, but the most obvious is that it’s fun and satisfying. It’s also a great way to get kids away from screens and encourage them to use their hands. Plus, it can be a good way to bond with friends and family.

You can start by setting a challenge for yourself. It could be as broad as “create a piece of art every day” or as narrow as “drawing a face in pencil only.” The key is to pick a goal that’s both realistic and challenging enough for you. Don’t set the bar too high and you might just give up, but don’t make it so narrow that you can’t move forward if it turns out to be difficult.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of things to make, try starting with one simple thing. Or, if you’re feeling more confident, try joining an existing creative challenge. There are lots of them on the internet, from month-long challenges like Miniature May to weekly prompts and daily drawing challenges. You can even team up with a friend for added moral support!