This Basically Free Activity Is the Dopamine Boost You and Your Friends Need This Weekend
This year is already shaping up to be a stressful one in so many ways (and it’s only April), and my usual routine of scrolling on my phone throughout the day is starting to make it feel infinitely worse. My smartphone (I’m now thinking of getting a flip phone) and computer are literally my worst enemy when I’m trying to avoid yet another overwhelming news headline, which is why (ironically, I know) a TikToker’s unique hands-on activity with friends is going viral as the perfect anecdote.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed by what’s going on in the world, TikToker @readinglolita suggests ditching ChatGPT and other social media apps for some healing time with friends. In this case, a no-spend crafting night where they customized a deck of playing cards with collages sourced from pictures in magazines.
“Close that app and go experience the joy of creating real art with your loved ones,” the creator urged, showing a video of their friends sitting around a table and talking while working on the craft. Not only are arts and crafts a fun and therapeutic bonding activity with friends, but research shows that having a focused activity that you have to engage with in the moment also distracts you from anxiety and other worries by lowering your cortisol (stress) levels.
As an added bonus, you can feel accomplished at the end knowing that you created something fun with your hands — and the feeling of creative control can feel really satisfying when you’re otherwise feeling overwhelmed or helpless.
The creator’s idea of customizing playing cards is a creative twist on the manifestation board and collaging trends, while also promoting a sense of community and collaboration — after all, you’re working together to revamp a boring deck of cards. However, you can also try one viewer’s suggestion to use tarot cards instead or to create a summer vision board. One TikToker also noted they’ll be trying the DIY cards craft idea to make a gift, which is a great way to save money while also giving a friend a one-of-a-kind present.
You should definitely use what you have at home to make this a basically free activity. But if you don’t have playing cards, tarot cards, or magazines at home, you should ask friends and family for anything they aren’t using or check out your local thrift store to buy them on a budget. Etsy also sells a stack of magazines you can mix and match for $25, and you can find playing cards on Amazon for really cheap (under $5!) if you’d rather shop online and have it delivered straight to your door.
Whatever iteration you decide to try this weekend, you’ll have the benefit of hours of free bonding time with friends as well as a beautiful piece of art you can keep and take home with you. And a lot of time will be spent using your hands to do something other than scroll.