fun one-day diy activities for when you need to achieve something
Start it, finish it and post about it on Instagram by dinnertime.
Ever feel like your life is endlessly switching between one of 300 browser tabs while your to-do list grows legs of its own? You need to achieve something, to give your brain that little dopamine hit! That’s when a small, hands-on project can work wonders. Something that lets you see (and feel) a bit of progress, quick smart. Whether that’s giving a sad pot plant a new lease on life, baking a fancy cake, or refreshing your locks (the hair type), these one-day DIYs are perfectly pitched at that sweet spot between effort and reward.
NEW HAIR, NEW ME Refreshing (or drastically changing) your hair colour on a whim is one of the joys of exercising free will. No need to wait months for a hairdresser appointment – let’s make it happen within the hour (before we have time to second guess our impulsivity). If you want a new colour, our pick of products is Clairol ColourStrong, which also helps protect and strengthen your hair. If you just need to touch up your roots, there is also Clairol Root Touch-Up and if you want to combat gold or brassy tones, your new bestie is Clairol Blonde It Up toner. It’s a low-stress, high-satisfaction kind of project; the type you can pull off in your own bathroom, playlist blaring, old shirt on.
TINY CORNER RENOVATION No need for a full-scale reno – just pick one nook and go wild! Rearrange a bookshelf, swap around some trinkets, score a new lamp at an op shop and focus on making that small space a joy to look at. Sure, the rest of the house may range from unorganised to trashfire, but there’s something deeply soothing about transforming a tiny part of your home into a space that makes you smile every time you walk past.
CASUAL CRAFTS WITH PALS Invite a few mates over, release some cheese from the shackles of its packaging, and pull out the Mod Podge or junk journals. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s just making something (anything) and having a laugh while you do it.
BAKE SOMETHING WILD Cooking dinner every night can get draining, which is why for this special project it’s all about baking something completely unnecessary and wildly delicious! Think dripping cinnamon scrolls, fairy cakes with jam and cream, or over-the-top stuffed brownies. This isn’t about providing sustenance, it’s about transforming a random shelf of ingredients into something glorious that makes you happy!
WARDROBE GLOW-UP We all have a pile of clothes we ‘might wear again’ (but obviously never will). So let’s change that! It’s time to make them interesting. Crop a shirt, add embroidery or even dye something you’ve fallen out of love with. It’s satisfying to breathe new life into something old, as well as being kinder on your wallet (and you know, the planet).
LIFE ADMIN, BUT SPECIAL Light a candle, make a good coffee, and get through the boring stuff – emails, invoices, the subscription you keep forgetting to cancel. Then reward yourself with something instant-gratification-y, like a walk in the sun or fancy pastry from the local café. You’ll end the day feeling calm and accomplished.
BALCONY OR WINDOW LEDGE MAKE-OVER Buy a few new plants, re-pot an old one that looks a bit sad and give everything a good water. If you don’t have outdoor space, a few herbs in jars on your kitchen bench still count. Instant calm, (almost) guaranteed.
PRINT AND FRAME SOME PICS Remember that trip you took? Or when your niece or nephew was born? Print a few pictures and stick them up on the fridge – or if you have the energy, frame them properly. You’ll feel a tiny burst of joy every time you walk past.
These suggestions were presented in partnership with Clairol. Find the perfect product for your same-day hair DIY on the Clairol website.