20 creative pick-me-ups for when you’re feeling blue

Let's get out there and make something beautiful

While life is generally good and I’ve been feeling especially grateful lately, some days just come with a gray cloud. This week, I had one of those days.

My griefy day

It marked the anniversary of our sweet kitty Dagny’s passing, which made the entire day feel heavy. I wasn’t weepy, but I felt her absence deeply, along with Toohey, our other cat, who we lost the previous August. On top of that, I found myself worrying about little Rory cat (who has cancer, though thankfully, he's responding well to treatment. Still, I can’t help but to stress!).

While that may have been the trigger, here’s what really knocked me over: a wave of dread about time slipping by. It’s my most frequent source of anxiety — the fear that I’m not moving fast enough to make my dreams happen. Lately it’s been showing up as: “Why don’t I have a literary agent yet?” and “What else can I do to move things along?” I’m sure you’re tired of me mentioning it, but I promise, nobody is more tired with myself than I am!

What helped

I ended up chatting with my sister, which is always a comfort. And later that evening, I decided to check off one of the items from my “finally” list I shared last week: starting the process of turning our upstairs loft into a cozy little library.

It started simply: measuring, sketching, browsing online for shelves. But with each small action, my energy began to shift. I went from a mopey spiral to buzzing with excitement.

Of course, that also meant I couldn’t get to sleep because I was so hyped about my plans. May I suggest that when you’re trying to get yourself out of a slump that you start earlier in the day.

The current state of the loft

My rudimentary mockup.

It reminded me, yet again, how foolproof making something beautiful can be. For me, it has a 100% success rate. If I’m feeling down and do something creative — anything — I always, always feel better.

Our creative failsafe

I sign off every one of these newsletters with make something beautiful for a reason. Despite knowing how well it works, I still forget to do it!

I’m big on giving myself reminders — writing notes, making lists, talking to myself and I’ve shared some of those inner pep talks here before, like how to get into a good writing rhythm or how to stay distracted when you’re waiting (I already need to reread that one).

The things that have helped me write my book

Inspired by: Waiting (a self-intervention)

This week, I wrote myself a new note: a list of quick creative pick-me-ups. Because even though the solution is easy, starting when you’re feeling low is not. Having ideas ready to go (no decision fatigue) makes a huge difference.

My “Make Something Beautiful” list

1. Build with blocks or Legos.

2. Make you beautiful: paint your nails, blow out your hair, moisturize, take a luxurious everything shower.

3. Tidy a drawer.

4. Fold laundry while listening to a podcast or audiobook.

5. Fluff the pillows on your couch or make your bed. I love the practice of “turndown service” where I prep my bed for sleep.

6. Connect with nature. If it’s raining, just open the windows and listen.

7. Doodle, color, scribble, move your hand across a page and leave evidence you’ve been there.

8. Make your future beautiful: plan a room revamp, your outfits for the week, a trip, or your meals.

9. Do a puzzle.

10. Make a vision board in Canva or scroll Pinterest with a purpose.

11. Pick or buy flowers. Even a single bloom in a cup on your bathroom counter can shift the mood.

12. Put on music and vacuum or sweep.

13. Arrange something: a stack of books, your jewelry, your kids’ action figures (or your own — no shame!).

14. If you’re ragey, go full Jackson Pollock. Toss paint or whatever you’ve got. In college, my friend Pete once prompted our friends to throw wet paper towels at a cinderblock wall in their suite and it somehow became a semester-long art installation. We art kids are a strange bunch. 🙃

15. Make someone feel beautiful: love on your pet, text a friend, compliment a stranger.

16. Make a simple meal and plate it like you’re serving royalty.

17. Edit something: a paragraph, your photo roll, your closet.

18. Buy something small and delightful for your space. Lately I’ve been loving the thrill of exploring thrift shops, which feels like a treasure hunt!

19. Sculpt something with your hands: air-dry clay, homemade playdough, even bread dough counts!

20. Finally, this: you, simply existing, are beautiful. Even curled up on the couch like a bag of sprouted potatoes. You're still lovely.

✨ If you liked this list, and are looking for more uplifting ideas, you might enjoy this piece by

Sascha Camilli

from on Thirty little things that make her happy.

✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts

1. Jot down your own list of five go-to pick-me-ups for the next time you’re feeling low.

2. Don’t be afraid to “paint your feelings”—art therapy doesn’t have to be literal painting. Express it as you need.

3. Take one tiny action in the next five minutes that leaves something looking a bit more beautiful.

☀️ Five good things

When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!

Five good things that happened this week:

1. I had a luxurious afternoon at the salon for a much-needed cut and color.

2. My new reading/computer glasses arrived. Not *exactly* like the ones from my vision board, but close enough to feel like a win.

3. I started Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (basically the Super Bowl for romance readers).

4. Our A/C went out, but I kind of loved having the windows open and that fresh-air scent wafting through the house all week.

5. We enjoyed my favorite kind of rainy Saturday, which ended at bar seats enjoying a delicious dinner and yummy cocktails.

💬 Share your intention

Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.

Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.

Michelle

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