Staying creative this summer with a myriad of exciting projects

Whether you’re a current student at AUB or joining us soon, you’ll know that creativity doesn’t suddenly disappear once the academic year ends. If anything, summer offers the chance to explore it in different ways, making time for hobbies and interests that often take a back seat during busy term time.

I’ve always loved making things with my hands, and summer has given me the chance to revisit hobbies that I don’t always have time for during term. As a neurodiverse individual, I can enjoy a hobby most when I can give it my full attention, rather than doing it alongside coursework! One of those has been sewing, using a family heirloom sewing machine that has been loved for decades.

As someone returning to sewing after many years, I started with simple tailoring projects to rebuild my confidence. I used simple and cheap second-hand clothes that I bought at charity shops or online, that were either too long or too big on me, and I tailored them to fit me better. When I became more confident, I tried altering necklines to make the garment more wearable and personal to my changing style. With a large Indian wedding coming up, I knew my cultural clothes needed fitting. Learning how to do this through tailoring my blouses and outfits was an intense experience, but very rewarding. Slowing down and learning through trial and error has reminded me that creativity doesn’t always need to be fast paced or polished to be worthwhile.

More recently, I’ve also been experimenting with air-dry clay again, this time creating an incense stick holder to bring a reminiscent and familiar scent of grounding and calm into my home. It certainly wasn’t my neatest attempt (I was a bit ambitious with the idea!) but that’s part of the enjoyment. It still works exactly as it was intended to, and the process taught me far more than striving for perfection ever could.

Sometimes, making something imperfect is far more rewarding than chasing an ideal outcome – the biggest lesson I’ve taken from projects like this is to create with intention rather than expectation.

Instead of worrying about aesthetics, I’ve been focusing on what feels meaningful and enjoyable to make during this period of summer recuperation. And I hope that’s something I can carry into my final year at AUB too – creating work that is authentic to me, rather than simply trying to produce something that looks impressive.

In the quieter, everyday moments, I’ve felt encouraged to intentionally practice creative wellbeing. Painting flowers and nature bits and bobs I find along my walks locally is one of my favourite summer pastimes. I have recently collected little treasures for my creativity, such as miniature watercolour sets, that mean I can paint anywhere I am. It’s a hobby I’ve considered taking up professionally as a side hustle alongside my career to keep the creativity alive!

One hobby I’ve particularly enjoyed is pressing and drying some of these flowers I find. It’s simple, inexpensive and helps to appreciate the delicate details that often go unnoticed. It’s also become a lovely way of preserving little memories from days out in nature.

I’ve also spent time exploring local markets and tending to the garden at home. Whether it’s noticing handcrafted products or the way different plants grow together, these everyday experiences continue to remind me that inspiration really can appear in places we least expect. As designers, I think we’re constantly observing the world around us, even when we don’t realise we’re doing it.

Preparing for my move back to university (though still a long way away!) has even managed to become a creative project in itself. Planning the layout of my new bedroom, whilst also redesigning my space at home, has been a chance to think about how a room can reflect who we are. As I begin a new chapter of my life, it feels right to create spaces that feel calmer, more organised and more reflective of the person I am becoming. Sometimes creativity isn’t about making something entirely new, but thoughtfully shaping the environments we already live in.

As I look ahead to my final year at AUB, I’m excited to keep saying “yes” to new creative experiences – whether that’s rediscovering poetry, getting lost in a good book, sewing something entirely from scratch or dreaming up handmade games for family holidays. Not every idea has to become a finished masterpiece.

Sometimes, the greatest value lies in the process itself and in giving yourself the freedom to create simply because it brings you happiness. I hope this summer gives you the chance to do the same. Stay curious, embrace the unexpected and enjoy wherever your creativity takes you next.