Even before the pandemic, loneliness was already a pervasive problem worldwide, particularly in the US. A survey published in January 2020 found that three in five adults are lonely. And now, more people may have become lonely due to limited social interactions and isolation brought by the pandemic.
One solution to loneliness is art.
Even if you’re not an artist, there are many simple art activities you can do at home to keep yourself busy and entertained.
Let’s look at them one by one!
Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of stylistic handwriting. You can get started with calligraphy using an ordinary pen or pencil that you already have around the house.
There are many free and downloadable practice sheets that you can print out to do writing drills. First, you need to practice writing upward and downward strokes, cursive strokes, and swirls before moving on to words.
After a few practice drills, you might even consider writing positive messages for yourself and post them on your wall!
Calligraphy urges you to concentrate on creating clean lines. And by putting all your attention on one activity, you’ll forget your worries and have fun. Calligraphy also has a supportive online community that you can join. Even if you can’t meet new people physically, you can find new calligraphy friends virtually.
Coloring Books
If calligraphy doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can try coloring books instead. Many coloring books for adults are available online, and there are plenty of themes to choose from. You could color a page filled with buildings, plants, or patterns of geometric shapes.
Coloring books don’t have rules. You can pick whatever color you want or even go over the outlines, and that’s okay! This freedom can relieve you from the pressure to “do things right” and enjoy the moment.
Also, this art activity is repetitive, and that’s what makes it helpful. This repetitive action can reduce stress and improve your mood.
Drawing
Aside from calligraphy and coloring books, you can also try drawing. You can start by filling a page with shapes and lines. You can also combine different shapes to create something, like a fruit or an animal.
If that gets boring, consider printing memorable photos and do some tracing. You could try reliving a snorkeling trip from years ago by tracing the commercial pontoon boat from your tour. Or, you could draw the shapes and lines of a beautiful skyscraper that you’ve visited in the past.
Drawing is a valuable past-time. It’s a great way to reminisce happy memories to boost your mood. Drawing can also lead to self-improvement in its simplest form. Even going from wobbly lines to straight lines can make you feel accomplished.
Painting
Painting is another popular outlet for loneliness. Many famous artists like Frida Kahlo and Edvard Munch used painting to express their emotions. Munch’s The Scream is a good example.
Even if you’re not good at art, you can still paint! You can start with something simple, like painting a blank page with random colors or creating patterns using your favorite colors. Or, you could try painting the pictures you traced and create an art piece.
Don’t worry if the outcome doesn’t look like an award-winning masterpiece. After all, that’s not the goal. What’s great about painting for leisure is you get to explore your own creativity. That can help you relax and break free from loneliness.
Creative Journaling
Creative journaling is another art activity to try.
To get started, write about anything on a blank page. You can write about something unconventional, like a daydream or a new hobby, instead of describing what your day was like. Then you can add pictures, stickers, and decorative tape to the page.
Writing down your thoughts can help you release pent-up emotions, especially when you feel like you can’t talk to anyone about them. Also, filling a diary entry with decorative art can make you feel satisfied and boost your mood.
Like calligraphy, creative journaling also has an immense online community that can give you a sense of belongingness.
Next Steps
It’s okay to feel lonely, but you also need to ensure that you don’t dwell on it too much. You can fight loneliness by engaging in one or more art projects while you’re stuck at home. After all, art is a therapeutic experience in itself. You even get to meet new people by joining online art communities!
We discussed several art projects, and you can try each one of them to see which one fits you best. Good luck!
