Everyone needs an outlet whether they know it or not. Mine just so happens to be poetry. I have loved writing ever since I was a little girl and writing just has always made sense to me. I have loved words most of my life. I enjoy rhymes and the freedom I feel when I allow myself to create my own poetry. Over the years, I had to realize that despite all of the activities and business I constantly go through, I have time to creatively and effectively express myself. And because I am an emotional person, I feel safest when I can freely express my inner self through poetry.

Other people use music, theater or art as their creative or recreational outlets, but there are many more ways to express yourself through new activities. I have a friend who is an amazing mechanic and can figure out just about any vehicle using his own knowledge and passion. Fixing and building vehicles keeps him sane and it is absolutely the greatest creative outlet for him. I know another girl who sings so beautifully, you would swear she was an angel if she was just wearing white. Here are 33 other ideas if you are stuck trying to find a creative or recreational outlet to fill your soul and keep you sane.

1. Build a treehouse or even a bookshelf.

2. Take guitar or other instrument lessons.

3. Dance safely in front of the bathroom mirror.

4. Explore and compare aquariums or theme parks.

5. Make a new friend through shared interests or work.

6. Create homemade cards (Birthday or trading).

7. Knit for your children, grandchildren, friends or charities.

8. Shop for a new journal. (Make sure you write in it for at least 7 days in a row so that you get the hang of what you want to write. Always keep it with you so that you can write about whatever inspires you or makes you laugh.)

9. Watch any movie or television show that makes you laugh or cry. (Crying and laughing are emotional restart buttons.)

10. Try painting. (For inspiration: the flowers outside, the texture of the floor you are standing on right now, your favorite person, fruit, any outdoor or indoor setting you enjoy.)

11. Take technical school classes. (Art, vehicle mechanics, dance, nursing, EMS training, refrigerator mechanics, flying lessons.)

12. Start a garden. (Or take care of indoor plants.)

13. Learn to cook. (Or learn to cook more complicated recipes than you already know.)

14. Sculpt with super glue and household items.

15. Scrapbook all your favorite memories. (Family, stories, friends, trips, books, memorable life moments.)

16. Make a future (career, wedding or life) visionary board.

17. Check out drawing help books from the library. (Or buy them from Barnes and Noble.)

18. Find inspiration in an inspirational person (Maya Angelou, Vincent van Gogh, Mother Theresa, Guy Fieri, Joan of Arc, Gabriel Iglesias, Kate Chopin, Mozart, Jessica Cox, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, John Lennon, Eleanor Roosevelt, Nick Vujicic, Oprah, JK Rowling, Nikola Tesla, Anne Frank.)

19. Enjoy a performance. (Ballet, Opera, theater, comedy show, etc.)

20. Begin playing a sport. (Find a local team or make one with your friends for fun.)

21. Join a gym.

22. Go somewhere new. (Especially visit town or city attractions near you that you have never been to before.)

23. Join a local public theater group.

24. Volunteer at a church or nonprofit in your area.

25. Make homemade jewelry.

26. Find a new way to wear your hair.

27. Adopt a low maintenance pet. (Salamander, gerbil, fish, naked mole rat.)

28. Invent something you need in your own life.

29. Explore online (make up, self-help, or how to) tutorials that connect with your personal interests.

30. Explore a national park or beach.

31. Go fishing.

32. Make your own board game and play it with your friends.

33. Cloud watching.

Though some of these things may be expensive, others are free. Just about everyone can explore thoroughly one of the suggestions on this list. If you still need suggestions, search online or make a bucket list of things that you have always wanted to accomplish. Make sure that your list is easy to accomplish within your physical and financial limitations, or will be after some work. It is important to remember that doing these things should make you happy, so if they do not, it is okay to try something completely new.