Ever since returning to my family home a little over four weeks ago I've been living the #stayathome life and it's started to feel quite a bit like I'm back in high school again. I'm slowly reverting back to the easy lifestyle I had before monthly rent, student loans, and most of my adult responsibilities. Aside from the looming cloud that the world is somewhat ending perpetually, I have quite a bit of free time on my hands now. As an innovative twenty-something-year-old in this modern age, I definitely have an affinity for always wanting to hustle and be productive or monetize off of side hobbies, but I'm trying to step away from that mindset. Because life as we know it is changing and we might as well roll with the punches. Life is stressful enough as it is right now, so why not embrace this revert to childhood moment most of us are having. 

I started by simply thinking of all the things I used to like to do or things I enjoyed doing that I stopped doing because of "the hustle" being a priority. Once I crossed eating off of the list I just started doing whatever each day. Wearing a onesie around the house as my chosen getup. Breakfast for dinner. Painting a mirror. Letting my impulses and creativity drive what I wanted to do that day. After all, if you stress yourself out about doing "things right" or making everything "perfect" or planned out it's going to completely suck the fun out of having hobbies again. So here are some things I like to do to pass the time that seemingly never ends. 

Baking. 

I have yet to bake a loaf of sourdough. And dang-it I want to. Granted, flour and yeast have taken over as the newest hot commodities since hand sanitizer and toilet paper. But, there are a lot of things you can make that don't require something that needs feeding. The other day I had half a box of funfetti cake mix from another recipe that needed using up and I just happened to stumble on a mini cupcake tin. Bam. Fairy cakes. Yeah, this not-quite-an-adult-lady wanted to make tiny little frosted cakes with sprinkles that reminded her of tea parties and frolicking through the woods with fake wings on. They were delicious. They make excellent treats for dropping off to a neighbor or friend. And there's no yeast involved. Go buy yourself a box already. 

Gardening.

I do not have a green thumb. But while picking up around the house I found an old bag of cosmo seeds that was once attached to a box of Honey Nut Cheerios. I put them into an egg carton with some soil, added some water, walked away and occasionally forgot to water them BUT in four days time I saw SPROUTS! So in the meantime, I have since bought a few packets of seeds and am trying my luck at starting a few new additions to the yard. Fingers crossed. 

Cleaning.

Okay. Cleaning isn't really a "hobby" but it makes me feel accomplished and there's a positive outcome and it's something to do so it's a win-win. Mostly everyone has something they can declutter. It doesn't mean you have to take on a whole house and attic mentality, but anything from clearing out your email inbox to sorting the Tupperware drawer to changing around your bookshelf to be in rainbow order there's something that can be a little fun and make your space and you feel calmer.

Creating art.

Art class used to be one of, if not my favorite class, back in high school. I could make a ceramic turtle. Or a Rorschach test inspired painting of my cat. Or a really bad oil pastel self-portrait. That's the shame about art, that so many people are turned away from wanting to ever pick up a crayon or pencil again because they know their "dog" drawing is going to look like a Picasso cow and they think it's stupid to do something they enjoy because it's not "good". Well, it's a hobby, so don't listen to the haters. Aside from the occasional art project I'd have to complete for college, I stopped making visual art for fun a long time ago. Recently, I've been playing around with digital art on my iPad, from sketches and little doodles to collages and photo edits. And it's been a lot of fun. I too can now "photoshop" an image of Paula Deen riding a stick of butter.

I still have a lot to learn about the program and what types of art I want to create, but I was inspired by my collaboration with Photowall Sweden to design a new piece of art that I could get framed and printed into a big art print by them. I could choose the frame color and size, but you could also get canvas prints, frameless hanging prints, or wallpapers! So not only do I now have a great resource for finding wall art and wallpaper but I now also have a beautiful piece of art that I'm proud to say I created myself. Make art that speaks to you and features the things you love and who cares if it's "good"?

Nothing.

Is doing "nothing" a hobby? Because lately it sure feels like it is. Doing nothing is okay. A lot of us are still processing this new world we're living in and it's all really overwhelming. Some days what you really need is to just sit and look out a window for an hour. Or pace back and forth around your room until you give up from boredom and start all over again. Boredom leads to creativity. Some of my favorite things I've done during my time at home have been a result of me consistently texting my friends "I'm bored." then having the sudden a-ha moment of "You know what? I think I'm going to..." You're giving your mind a chance to not be told what to do and instead let it have breathing space to inspire you. 

Thank you to Photowall Sweden for graciously sponsoring this post and providing me with a LOVELY print of my quarantine art. Click here for the link to create your own prints.  If you're inspired to make your own art or want to redecorate with some super cool wall art or wallpaper use the code meilu25 for 25% off your order through June 17th, 2020. 

I hope you all stay healthy, happy, and bored.