Even if you’ve never painted before in your life, there are many reasons why you should give it a whirl. You don’t need to have special skills or talent—all you need is a willingness to let yourself go and have a good time. Try social painting for your next get-together, because with the many varieties of paint night Toronto has to offer, you can’t go wrong.
#1 – It’s fun
If you took painting at school, you probably enjoyed it more than algebra. Painting is a lot of fun because you’re in charge. The lack of rigid rules allows you to experiment, do something fun, and laugh at yourself. There are no wrong answers here—except maybe not to mix complementary colors because that is the best way to make icky mud.
#2 – It’s a better way to socialize
Sometimes you just get fed up with going to the bar all the time. Conversation flows much better when you have a common topic to chat about. Paint nights on weekends are great for socializing. You can grab your friends, book a paint night, and have a great time while making something with your hands. And in fact many participants find paint night great for meeting new people, so you can expand your social circles, knowing that you all like to try out new things.
#3 – It’s relaxing
Sometimes all you want to do after work is go home and relax in front of the TV. No matter how appealing that sounds, watching television can actually increase your stress levels. Sure, it’s fine to snuggle under the blanket in front of your favorite show, but give yourself a chance to relax not just your body but also your mind. After your first paint night, you’ll realize how relaxing painting can be.
#4 – Open your mind
Not everyone can get a piece in the Museum of Modern Art, but everyone can paint. It’s amazing how, as we get older, we start to limit ourselves—to think about ourselves in terms of the things we can’t do. Not only in our professional lives but also in our hobbies! Trying painting for the first time can be the beginning of opening yourself up to new things.
#5 – It’s healthy
Doing something with your own hands stimulates your brain. The more you do it, the healthier and more active your mind is. Think about it! If you build a house with your hands, you see results immediately—instant gratification. The same thing happens at paint night. You can enjoy the beauty—or the silliness—of your own work immediately. No matter how old we are, stimulating the right side of the brain increases the ability to process emotions and creativity.
#6 – It reduces stress
We already know that painting is super relaxing, but it can actually reduce stress too. Stress relief and relaxation, though similar, are actually quite different. For example, meditation and relaxation help you with the after effects of stress, but stress coping mechanisms actually deal with the roots of problems. Paint nighters often find that social painting helps them to see their problems differently. You’re away for an hour or two, in a different mindset, and you’re able to think about stresses in a new way, allowing you to process them in a more healthy manner. So next time you’re having trouble at work, hop behind an easel! It will make you feel loads better.
#7 – It will make you laugh
Who doesn’t love a good laugh? It’s entirely possible that your creations will come out looking funny, and it’s okay to have a good chuckle about it. It’s okay that you are not going to be the next Picasso, and it’s okay to tell your friends that their work looks like a sad mess. Just remember to be proud of your work, and don’t bother about the murky colors and odd wobbly shapes.
#8 – It’s childish
Painting is fun, relaxing, and there are no strict rules—it is everything that we loved most about being kids. Except of course at paint night you also usually get to enjoy the best thing about being a grown-up: alcohol. So it’s the best of both worlds, really. Hanging out with a bunch of friends, painting palm trees or trying to make abstract art, while sipping wine and getting drunk, is truly the ultimate way to pass the time. Things will get sloppy, you’ll definitely end up with super wiggly palm trees, and you’ll have a good, hearty laugh at yourself. Being a kid never felt so cool.
#9 – It’s different
We have so much at our fingertips—at any given moment it feels like we could be doing anything. There are odd new cafes popping up (the Poop Café on Bloor West, anyone?), strange foods to try, amazing new television shows being created, and always new festivals, markets, and activities to attend. Even so, we’re constantly on the lookout for the next big thing—for something new. Going to paint night is a great way to enjoy all the things we love about hanging out with friends but with the added benefit of it being completely different. It’s as fun as chatting with a pal at the bar, but it’s not like every other night out. What better way to stay fresh and sharp than to try out new things?
#10 – It boosts self-confidence
You don’t need to be afraid to try new things—and you don’t need to believe the negative voices in your head telling that you can’t do things. Creating something from scratch makes you super aware of just how capable you are. And even if you’re not good at it exactly, it at least means you’ll be just a little bit less afraid to try something new next time!
For whatever reason you decide to be part of the paint night Toronto craze, we can assure you that you’ll have lots of fun. Find the nearest paint night, and get ready to make art!
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