I’ve never been much of a crafty person; I didn’t like art lessons at school, I always assumed that I was bad at it, and that it wasn’t for me. Not only that, I just didn’t know where to start; how do I draw when I can barely draw the most simplistic cartoon-style images? 

This was what I thought, until recently. Several people have introduced me to arts and crafts over the past few years, and it isn’t as daunting as it seems. 

You don’t have to be the world’s best artist, or the 21st century’s version of Van Gogh. It isn’t all about being ‘good’ at it, and more about the process of doing something crafty. It feels nostalgic in a way, as you remember it as an activity you did in childhood. 

There are so many adult colouring books, mindful colouring and anything else along those lines. But truth be told, they’re more frustrating than anything. Why are the patterns so small? What if you just want to sit and colour without having to think much? 

Well, I have the solution: children’s colouring books. It sounds ridiculous, but the patterns are so much easier to colour, yet you somehow get the same satisfaction and relaxation at the end of it. Instead of it feeling like a chore, you’re more likely to choose to do it, as it is almost completely mindless. The most energy consuming thoughts are simply choosing which page to colour (‘should I do the seahorse with coral or do I want to colour in the cars?’) and which colours you want to use. Which, in the grand scheme of things, are easy, simple decisions, even if you are extremely indecisive, because you know there is no pressure on it. 

There are some other things I’ve discovered, as a non-crafty person who now willingly does crafts, which sound less ridiculous than children’s colouring books. So, if that idea has put you off, do not fret, there are so many options which you probably never realised existed. Until recently, I didn’t realise there are so many pre-packaged craft options, where the hardest parts have been done for you. For example, if the idea of painting on a blank canvas is awful, then there are canvases with pictures drawn out, and all you must do is paint them in! 

If painting isn’t for you, there are plenty of cross stitch packages, ‘make your own trinkets’, and small books with pictures and a selection of water colour paints on each page. There’s make your own tote bag sets, make an animal out of felt, origami. You’ve probably heard of paint by numbers; there’s also sequin or gem art which follows the same idea. Each of these have endless patterns and options, so it’s a long time before you get bored. 

If you like painting, you can paint mugs, vases, jewellery boxes, or any plain hanging decorations, like a wooden seahorse or China shooting star. 

You could even bring back Lego, the Lego café ‘Builder’s Brew’ is in the city centre. With a great atmosphere and lots of options to choose from, you can enjoy your afternoon, whether it is with your kids, uni friends, grandparents, parents…don’t reject it until you try it. 

I know you’re wondering where you can find these things. Of course there’s online, an easy place to start. Hobbycraft is great, with good quality paints. You can find some bits in TkMaxx, Flying Tiger, Sostrene Grene, The Works; all of which are convenient and nearby wherever you are situated in Sheffield, being just a short drive away. 

The benefits of realising there are prepackaged craft kits are endless; you start to reframe the way you think about art and creativity, finding hobbies you would never have considered before. In this modern age where the emphasis on relaxation, mindfulness and meditation is at an all-time high, along with increasing mental health problems, feeling like you have an endless to do list or cannot separate your work and home life…crafts are an easy way to escape and cope in a healthy way. Especially if you struggle with neurodivergence, like ADHD or autism, these crafts are a tool which can help calm your brain and destimulate after a long day. 

I really recommend pre-packaged crafts to anyone, whether you think you’re rubbish at them, are doing an arts degree, or having a quarter/mid-life crisis – they’re available for anyone, with effortless and therapeutic effects.