A Ready-to-Go “Activity Kit”

I always keep two or three activities on hand: a notebook, a pen, a coloring book, my watercolor set, and/or my Kindle, my ukulele. When I’m not feeling well, I rarely have the energy to decide what to do to distract myself and sometimes I’m paralyzed in my decision making. Every small decision can feel huge, impossibly hard to make —so I’ve chosen a few activities I genuinely enjoy and can easily carry with me wherever I go, like reading, writing, or sketching. My bag is always packed and ready (same thing at home). Whether I’m at home or out, I can just reach for something I know helps me feel grounded and that I don’t have to think about.

Psychological research, especially in the context of cognitive-behavioral therapy, shows that having a pre-prepared “activity kit” can be an effective way to manage stress and build emotional resilience (Lewinsohn, 1974). When enjoyable, accessible activities are already available, it reduces the mental effort required to choose something in a moment of distress—making emotional regulation easier and more effective.