Summer Hobbies for the Heat-Intolerant Adult
A list of crafts and hobbies designed for the heat-intolerant, homebound adult!
It is officially summer and I’ve fainted twice so far and crashed my rollator into a curb (I have POTS). We are in an awful heatwave with most days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so I’ve been staying indoors trying to beat the summer blues. But thanks to that, you now have this: a curated list of crafts and hobbies for the fellow heat-intolerant, mostly homebound adult. I hope you find something here that you enjoy!
Craft-based hobbies:
Note: NONE of these links are sponsored. I’m just sharing them to provide examples of the products I use and enjoy!
Watercolor pen painting
I’m no painter, but I do enjoy painting for fun. Watercolor painting can become messy and complicated when you’re confined to a bed or recliner– but there’s a solution. Watercolor pens! I got these last summer and they have been a game-changer. They give you the ability to create beautiful watercolor art without the setup and cleanup of traditional brushes and paint sets. Watercolor pens are as easy to use as markers and only require a little bit of water! Most sets come with a water brush for easy blending!
One of my first watercolor pen paintings- an assortment of lemons to add a little “zest” to our kitchen fridge!
Hand-knitting
For most people with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, regardless of subtype, needles are a no-go (I learned my lesson the hard way). That eliminates a ton of hobbies, such as sewing, embroidery, traditional knitting, and crocheting. But fear not! Hand-knitting is here to save the day! Hand-knitting is perfect for chunkier objects, such as warm winter blankets, scarves, and thick beanies. I learned how to hand-knit using this one minute video. These are some items I hand-knit last summer! Note: you’ll want a very chunky yarn for this, like chunky chenille.
Writing
I am writing this post from my bed with a mason jar of iced coffee next to me on my bedside table. It is roughly 100 degrees Fahrenheit out today and there’s no hope of going outside. My passion for writing grew when I was trapped indoors last summer, and my Substack is a fruit of that passion!
Paper crafts
Paper crafts aren’t just for kids! From creating bookmarks to fancy origami, there’s so much we can make with paper! My husband and I made a set of fun summer punch cards on decorative cardstock paper after getting the idea from Pinterest. Decorate your punch card however you like, perhaps with doodles, stickers, or washi tape!
My ideas for summer punch cards:
Have a reading date! For every 10 reading sessions, you can treat yourself to another library haul or a new book from the local bookstore (or thriftbooks)!
Limit your phone time to 30 minutes a day total. Do this for 10 days, and then reward yourself with a sweet treat (or treat of your choosing) as the prize!
Make a new recipe. Try 10 new recipes, and then reward yourself with a day off cooking with your favorite takeout/delivery.
Faux flower arrangements
I’m allergic to pretty much all types of flowers and cannot have fresh flowers in our home. For Easter this past year, my husband and I bought a bunch of faux flowers from the local craft store (many craft depots sell them online as well), a vase, and a collection of colorful marbles to make our own floral arrangement!
A photo of me holding a pastel faux floral arrangement that I put together with my husband!
Non-craft based hobbies:
Throw a summer reading party!
You don’t need to invite people over for this- just books! Grab a few books that have been gathering dust on your bookshelf, throw them all on your bed (or couch, or wherever you lounge for the summer), and start reading the one that resonates with you the most! My hubby and I do just this- we select a few books from the library (or our bookshelf), throw them on our bed, and go through the synopses one by one until we’ve selected a book that we want to read. We call it a reading party and it’s the most relaxing party out there! (This can be adapted for audiobooks. Just log into Hoopla or Libby and hit the “discover” tab to find your next read!)
I’ve also been enjoying flipping through magazines. I recommend Real Simple. Every issue always has a great selection of book recommendations and recipes.
Give yourself permission to watch movies in bed.
We bought a projector this past winter and absolutely love it. It’s like having a home theatre at a fraction of the cost. When you have absolutely no physical energy to do anything, but your mind won’t stop racing, it’s okay to distract yourself every now and then with a comforting movie.
I hope this list helps you beat the summer blues while staying cool. Stay safe and hydrated, friends!
stop i needed this
What wonderful ideas! Thank you for inspiration. It's 100 Farenheit degrees here as well...