7 Soothing Crafts To Try If You're Looking For A New Hobby

Had a long day? Craft. Nervous hands? Craft. Racing thoughts? Craft.

Trying a new craft can be straight up intimidating, but it can actually be really therapeutic to make something just for the sake of making something.

Even if you don't consider yourself to be a particularly "crafty" person, everyone is capable of creativity. If you've got too much stress, too much angst, or even just too much time on your hands, there's a craft that might just help you out. So, here are a few satisfying crafts that don't require a ton of artistry, but will take up your time in the best kind of way.

1. Pick up some needles and yarn to try and knit away your worries.

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With the gentle clicking of the needles, the soft materials, and the rhythmic repetition of putting one stitch in front of the other, it's hard to deny the zen-like quality of knitting. Learning a stitch can feel absurdly confusing, but once you get past the first few rows you'll find it totally meditative. Here are a few demonstrations that'll help beginner knitters get started.

2. Fold some origami to help you slow down when your mind is racing.

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Origami requires a lot of patience and focus. You miss one step and it won't work. But no pressure — it's just paper so you can just throw it out and start all over again if you mess up. Next time your mind is racing, pick up a piece of paper and start folding. Learn how to make a paper crane here.

3. Knead together a few ingredients to make some satisfying slime.

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The ASMR effect — or the sensory, tingly feeling you get when listening to crisp or whispery sounds, and watching slow movements — is so real, especially when it comes to slime. All you need is four ounces of glue, a tablespoon of baking soda, and a tablespoon of contact lens solution. Here are seven more slime recipes to feed your fancy.

4. Color between the lines to shut out negative thoughts and focus your attention.

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Coloring is such a low-key activity: All you need is a few pencils (or crayons or markers) and a coloring book. You've literally been doing it since you were a kid so you know that you've got the ~skillz~ to do it. Coloring is a bit different from a lot of crafts because you're only coloring for the sake of coloring — instead of making something to use or gift — which takes a whole bunch of pressure off. All you have to do is color inside the lines...or don't! Just have fun with it.

Get Calm the F*ck Down: An Irreverent Adult Coloring Book from Amazon for $4.58.

5. Shape clay into a bowl or sculpture to get out your internal frustrations.

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In addition to being creatively challenging, ceramics is a very physical hobby. It requires both strength and a delicate touch to pull off. While coloring or painting requires attention that is incredibly meditative, they don't typically offer the same kind of cathartic relief that comes with pounding, pushing, pulling, squishing, and throwing clay. Check out this wheel-throwing tutorial for beginners if you want to learn more about how it's done.

6. Give nervous hands something to do with a needle and thread.

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There are no limits to what you sew inside your embroidery hoop. It can be as pretty, as angsty, or as silly as you want it to be. Whether you're watching TV, relaxing in the park, or keeping yourself busy on a long commute, you can bring your cross stitching everywhere. Out of all the crafts mentioned, this one allows for the most self-expression and creativity, but is still relatively easy to master. Get some helpful cross-stitching tips here.

7. Scrapbook the good memories when everything feels like it's on fire.

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Hunting through the paper and sticker section is arguably the best part about going to the craft store. If you're not into journaling, scrapbooking is a great way to process your feelings and save your memories. The good times can be hard to remember when you aren't feeling your best, so you can hold on to your scrapbooks forever and pull them out whenever you're feeling lonely or just want to get a dose of nostalgia. Check out some awesome scrapbooking products to get you started here.

Did I leave anything out? Share your favorite craft and why you love it in the comments!

Learn more here:

• 11 Helpful Tips For People Who Want To DIY But Kind Of Suck At It

• 25 Creative Hobbies To Try When Everything Is Awful And You're Not Okay

• I Tried Popular Anti-Anxiety Habits And Here's What Happened