Endulging in Creativity : Getting Off the Phone

 Often, I express to friends or family my desire for a flip phone. Aside from the aesthetic - connecting me closer to many of my favorite rom-com leading ladies, and looking super cool - I just want the ability to stay in touch with the constant distraction of social media and other phone applications. Truly, I just want the phone and maybe messages - I could even get by without the camera app. Would I miss FaceTime? Heck no. I'll see that go first. And it's not that I haven't tried deleting social media; I have, and failed. I successfully deleted Instagram and TikTok a long time ago, and when I was stronger. I still have TikTok deleted now, no problem. But I just can't shake Instagram. Even if I delete the app, I feel myself drawn too heavily to looking something up or 'just checking something' that I open the website on my browser and cheat. I am so sick of depending on apps and my telephone the second I'm bored! It messes with my sleep schedule, distracts me from work, and just makes me feel crummy when my weekly screen time comes in every week. But, there are things I like about Instagram too. I can keep in touch with, or keep up with, friends from old schools, and I like curating my favorite images of me and my friends and sharing them with more friends. But this summer, I will stop. Or, at least, I will only download Instagram to post, and not be distracted by scrolling. Here is how I plan to do it: with hobbies.

I have a good amount of hobbies, but I never really explore my creative side as expansively as I could, or want to. My friends are so creative around me all the time, and I find myself wishing I were too, before remembering I am. I am more than just a girl, Pinterest, and a dream. I am a creative being capable of making beautiful art, and I want to do so much more of that this year. 

Sewing

Recently, I have gotten really into thrifted clothes. I am definitely not 100% sustainable - I still shop in normal stores. But I really love trying to find pieces that last longer and better fit my preferred aesthetic in a sustainable and much cheaper way. I used to sew clothes all the time - for my Barbies. When I was younger, I made a dress once with my grandma, and I used to sew constantly. But this summer I want to get back into it. Altering clothes is where I would start. When thrifting, I often find cute pieces that just won't fit right. This summer, my goal will be to start altering my own clothes into things I'll want to wear more. I think this will be both a fun hobby and something I can be proud of, an accomplishment I can get a lot of use out of. 

painting

I really love painting, and I used to do it a lot more than I do now. Granted, it is much harder to when up at school - and I don't have my supplies up here. I think it's such a fun, creative outlet - not only am I playing with colors and designs, but I'm creating art for myself and others to enjoy. I think it's so beautiful, too, painting on things like birdhouses or plates, things that are to be used and enjoyed, combining creativity with utility.

collecting/scrapbooking

I am kind of a hoarder - in regards to memories, stickers, bookmarks, labels, and other things that are cute or artistic, that catch my eye in any way. I suppose I'm sort of like a crow in that manner, except my eye catches on things far beyond shiny trinkets. I think it would be fun to convert my random trinkets into something permanent, a keepsake or a thoughtful gift comprised of shared memories and loved experiences. I love having reminders of trips or just days spent with friends or family, little bottle caps or stickers, or pretty shells - whatever I can fit in my pocket to save for later. I'm not sure if I'll end up scrapbooking, because part of me doesn't want to waste supplies on a permanent thing that may not be appreciated as they are now, but on the other hand, it will free up room for me to collect more, or to shift and guide my collecting into certain themes or colors. This could also be a terrific way to create thoughtful, personal gifts without spending too much money. Also, I have big plans for my room being covered in posters and notecards next year -  something it's kind of right now, but in more full effect - and collecting this summer will give me a great headstart, and hopefully some depth as I try to collect from my day trips to other places. 

gardening

I love gardening so much, but in the past years since moving to Canton, we haven't grown a garden, or at least not in full bloom as we used to, and I miss it. While I may not enjoy eating all the veggies we grow, my family does, and I love the process of planting, watering, waiting, and watching them grow. Especially because I've spent so much time in the greenhouse here at school in my biology lab, it's reignited my love for growing plants and being so hands-on. This experience could also connect with my love for woodworking, as we will have to create some kind of structure that we can grow the plants, but Charlie can't get into. She definitely will be a jerk about it - just for her own fun. 

drawing

On a different level than painting, which I have some background in, and I have worked on for a long time, I would like to get more into drawing. I am by no means a natural - right now, as I have just started this journey, I am still following Pinterest images very closely to try and reach the same effects. I love seeing my friends' creativity, and I think drawing is such a cool interest and talent to have. I want to be able to draw more without being overly self-conscious of my work, and it's something I can do to fill my time without being on the phone. Especially in the summer, when I go to the beach or hikes, I can take ideas from my surroundings like the ocean, or rocks, or flowers, and draw in a sketchbook instead of taking pictures -- or in addition to taking pictures. 

knitting/crocheting 

I would love to relearn how to knit, and maybe learn how to make actual things. I know how to make a pretty good block or nothing at the moment, but nothing else. And I would love to learn how to crochet too - maybe not as my full-time hobby, but it would be something fun to do to make my own scarves for winter, or a hat. I would be so proud to parade my own creation around campus. This is something I could do with Honey or Auntie, and they could teach me. I can already imagine us knitting/crocheting while we listen to music at Walnut Hill this summer, like I did one summer a few years back. 

Well, I hope to continue blogging as well, but I've learned through this journey that I cannot force myself to write. When I feel the want or pull to write in my blog, I will, and when I don't, I cnanto force anything. I kind of like that about this, that this blog is mostly for myself, as there is no pressure on me to complete new entries or continue writing. But, on that note, I promise with meager seriousness to update over the summer whether I complete any of these tasks and indulge in my hobbies. I encourage everyone to try and get off their phone this summer and be more creative, because I think everyone could use some time off their phone.