When was the last time you created something with your hands? Like a cake, a painting, or a pair of socks? Do you remember the feeling you had after finishing it, the satisfaction you got even if it wasn’t “perfect”?

Handicrafts can be an excellent way to experience flow, decrease stress, and relieve anxiety. However, when you’re, for whatever reason, a bit lost in the quest for a balanced life, it can be quite difficult to choose a project that would suit you.

For that, let’s take a look at the subreddit ‘Something I Made.‘ As its name suggests, this online community unites people who are proud of the fruits of their labor and want to show them off to others, congratulating each other on a job well done and encouraging people to keep at it.

So, continue scrolling to check out their top recent posts, and fire up our earlier publications on the subreddit here and here if you want more.

#1 I Did A Shirt! This Is The 3rd One I’ve Made And I’m Super Pleased With How It Turned Out, Despite The Wobbly Top-Stitching On The Pocket

Image credits: Dudderz_

#2 Pencil Portrait I Drew Few Weeks Ago. (Pencils On Paper)

Image credits: fojteflon

As postdoctoral researcher, editor, and former journalist Natascha Chtena pointed out in Inside Higher Ed, people who spend a good amount of time creating with their hands – be it cooking, growing vegetables, building, knitting, or any sort of working with raw materials really – describes the process as “therapy” and as essential to their well-being.

Additionally, research actually confirms that making things with your hands is a large part of finding your flow, and flow is highly correlated with happiness. Unfortunately, our modern world often makes it very hard to find that rhythm where we can, free of distraction, just focus on the task at hand – where we can just turn off our minds (and phones) and be present in the moment.

#3 I Designed A 3D Printed Mirror Array To Propose! The Mirrors Are Angled So That Just Before Sunset, They Reflect The Sunlight To Spell “Marry Me?”

Image credits: bencbartlett

#4 I Made Some Cloud Pendants!

Image credits: wintersky__

#5 A Mailbox I’m Building. Steel And Copper

Image credits: sludgefudge

However, don’t confuse handicraft with chores. “Making, as wide a spectrum as it can encompass, isn’t about routine chores or tasks. It’s about the love of the craft – the pure joy of creating something from zero,” Chtena said.

“There’s a difference between rushing home after a day in the lab to throw together a quick dinner before you faint, and savoring the experience of baking the best banana pie you can possibly bring into existence. The same goes for making your own home repairs to save money versus making your own home décor crafts to add personal accents to your place.”

#6 I Made A Portrait By Smashing Glass!

Image credits: NiallShukla

#7 Painting I Did Like Looking Through The Rainy Window Of A Car

Image credits: jer_088

#8 I Made My Daughter This Armor From Leather, Wood, Plastic, And Brass And Foam Sheet

Image credits: UptonDide

#9 Wife Wanted A Greenhouse. Repurposed Wood And Windows

Image credits: Jbruno08

If all of this sounds like fun but you don’t know where to start, it might be a good idea to choose something relevant to you. “If you just pick an activity because it sounds cool in theory, you likely won’t be able to stick with it very long,” Chtena said.

“Instead, take a look at your life and think about parts you’d like to improve. Are there things you enjoy but can’t afford readymade? Are there products you’re using that aren’t quite meeting your needs? Things you’d like to improve? For instance, I met someone at a party recently who started brewing their own beer because they were after a flavor they couldn’t find in stores. Similarly, I have a friend who uses her handmade jewelry as a personal trademark and sells them for some extra cash. Another friend, to whom living an environmentally friendly life is very important, makes her own natural cleaning products.”

#10 I Made A Dress For My First Day Of Work

Image credits: QueenAkemii

#11 I Handcut Playing Cards Into 3D Art Using An Xacto Knife

Image credits: DoctorPaulGregory

#12 I Made This Sweatshirt Out Of A Blanket I Got At My Local Thrift Store And It’s Probably My Favorite Thing I’ve Made So Far

Image credits: reillyfitz

#13 Latest Finish, Wild Thing Denim Vest! About 6 Months Of Work

Image credits: FaerieBomb

You might also want to keep it simple. At least in the beginning. “Making your own furniture sure sounds fulfilling and all, but it’s also massively time-consuming and difficult to try out without making a huge investment in tools (unless you’re lucky to live near a maker space with woodwork equipment, of course),” Chtena said.

Similarly, winemaking is something you probably can’t pull off if you live in the city but alternative wines, like elderflower or walnut, are easy to make without any fancy equipment and they add a nice touch to social gatherings.

#14 The Diamond Engagement Ring I Made For My (Hopefully) Soon To Be Fiancée. In 18k Rose Gold

Image credits: Mercury-Hg80

#15 A Painting I Did For My Fiancé. It’s Him And His Oldest Son

Image credits: DarkAndraRivers

#16 I Made These Huge Paintings For My First Solo Exhibition

Image credits: KingSteven11

#17 One Of My Works About Humpback Whales

Image credits: AmoyCK

Generally speaking, baking, brewing, gardening, DIY, body-care, home crafts and accessories are all good (realistic) starting points for most of us.

Remember, when you start small, you will eventually get the hang of it, and can always move on to making bigger and more elaborate things in the future.

#18 2.5 Years Sober Tomorrow; I Painted This For An Art Auction Benefiting A Local Sober Living Facility

Image credits: jasmin_cage_art

#19 “Holding Hands” Silver Ring Made By Me

Image credits: Hendrix0

#20 I Previously Posted This Elsewhere But Kept Being Told To Post It Here. So Here Is My Alien Abduction Outfit. I Made The Top, Skirt And Necklaces

Image credits: love_wear

#21 I Made Every Part Of This Outfit, Corset And Petticoats Included!

Image credits: ZetaMakesThings

“I got started by brewing my plain kombucha, then I added a second fermentation where I started infusing the brew with herbs and fruits, and then I slowly moved on to other fermented drinks and vegetables,” Chtena described her own journey.

#22 Some Of My Favourite Hand Embroidered Landscapes

Image credits: jadeillustrates

#23 Just Finished My Biggest And Most Difficult Backgammon Board So Far, Made With Real Fern Leaves And Flowers

Image credits: nukulele145

#24 A Leather Bag I Made

Image credits: LW_leatherwork

#25 One Of My Favorite Rings I’ve Made

Image credits: magick_alchemy

As it so often is, the most important thing is to simply get started. Try whatever it is that attracts you once, take it slow, and don’t be intimidated if it doesn’t immediately work out. You’ll get there!

#26 Finally Completed The Mosaic In My Mom’s Shower! 5000 Individually Cut Tiles And A Year Of Work

Image credits: artguydeluxe

#27 I Won First Place At The Fair This Weekend For My Cross Stitch!

Image credits: Andromeda321

#28 I Made These Ceramic Ghost Buddies With Tea Lights!

Image credits: happyclaypot

#29 I Made This Embroidery As A Gift To My Religious Grandma And She Loved It!

Image credits: rebordacao

#30 I Painted This Pourtrait

Image credits: KingSteven11

#31 I Made Some Shroomy Ceramic Planters

Image credits: WoodlandMystic

#32 My Mother Crocheted This Blanket From Over 800 Small Flowers. She Doesn’t Even Has Facebook So I Thought I Would Post It For Her Because It’s Such An Awesome Piece

Image credits: Nicop0l

#33 I Made This Pumpkin Kitty Out Of Polymer Clay. I Wanted It To Look Like He Was Wearing A Costume And I Think It Turned Out So Cute!

Image credits: rebekkacaptures

#34 Beaded Pin Inspired By Vermeer’s Girl With The Pearl Earring

Image credits: chaevskaya

#35 Diplodocus Hand Painted Ceramic Tile

Image credits: foxyandpaper

#36 I Made Cellular Biology Stained Glass To Hang Behind Me For My Work Zoom Calls

Image credits: Greenwing

#37 I Made This Lingerie Set For A Friend’s Birthday!

Image credits: reddit.com

#38 Incense Burner I Made For My Girlfriend

Image credits: naaiiilllll

#39 My Playful Red Brooch. Made Entirely Of Polymer Clay

Image credits: TristaniaHand

#40 My Daughter Wearing The Coat That I Made For Her

Image credits: Archivarianne

#41 I Make Canvas Bags, Here’s My Latest! Naturally Dyed With Madder Root And Cochineal

Image credits: Safielx

#42 I Preserve And Frame Spiderwebs!

Image credits: wickednympet

#43 Almost Finished Making This Chefs Knife. Just Need To Sand The Handle A Bit More. Love To Hear What You Think Of It

Image credits: Studio_OOOMS

#44 I Made A Big Fruit/Salad Bowl From The Root Of A Black Walnut Tree

Image credits: The_Magic_Wood_Bus

#45 A Feltart Embroidery Of Spirited Away Train Scene That I Made, Trying To Build A Wall Of Ghibli Feltart For Myself

Image credits: heartfeItloves

#46 A Mug I Made A Little While Ago

Image credits: corduroyanddenim

#47 Candy Corn Ghost! A Happy Little Experiment!

Image credits: allisaur_

#48 S’more Making Dinosaur! What Should We Name It?

Image credits: Ashley_b_making

#49 An 8×8 Witch Cottage I Designed/Built For My Backyard! First Major Construction Project

Image credits: tunabuttons

#50 I Made This Little Pastel Green Polymer Clay Stegosaurus!

Image credits: AMajesticPoro