Blue Monday: 5 Tips for Creative Wellbeing

Asawa helping a child with a milk carton construction. Photograph by Laurence Cuneo. Laurence Cuneo, courtesy Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries and Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc.: 86, 144

Blue Monday is supposed to be the saddest day of the year – but it doesn’t have to be. Instead, it can be a designated day each year to take some time out and take care of your own mental wellbeing.

Here at Modern Art Oxford, we’re passionate about creative wellbeing. Immersing yourself in creative activities can offer welcome distraction, fresh perspectives and unexpected moments of joy. So, if you’re committed to exploring creative wellbeing this Blue Monday, we’ve got 5 ways to get started.

1. Make Something that Feels Good

Create something that feels good. These sensory activities are perfect for young children, or for adults in need of a little more childlike joy in their day.

Make Cloud Dough

Make Crazy Soap

2. See Art from the Sofa

Two people viewing a series of hanging sculptures made of looped wire, in organic round shapes.

Sometimes what you need is rest, but if you still want to take part in creative wellbeing, check out our virtual exhibition.

You’ll be able to explore the galleries as they appeared during Ruth Asawa: Citizen of the Universe.

Explore the Virtual Gallery

3. Look Carefully

An abstract figurative painting depicting stones on a hill in a blue, green and grey. — Monica Sjöö, Meeting the Ancestors at Avebury, 1993. Courtesy Monica Sjöö Estate and Alison Jacques, London. © Monica Sjöö Estate. Photo by Albin Dahlström/Moderna Museet

Plan a trip to our city centre galleries and go on a symbol-spotting mission with our print-at-home activity sheet. Then, head downstairs and craft your own ‘zine to share the causes and ideas that are on your mind.

Download the Activity Sheet

4. Get Inspired

A photo of three people cooking in a forest. The woman in the forefront is artist Monica Sjöö, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a red jumper and blue jeans and has white long hair. — Personal photographs from the Reclaim Salisbury Plain March organised by the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp, 1985. Courtesy Monica Sjöö Estate and Alison Jacques, London.

Discover the stories of people whose art you’ve enjoyed, and be inspired by their philosophies for art and wellbeing.

Read the Story of Monica Sjöö

5. Get Out and About

Take a leaf out of Mark Hemsworth’s book this Blue Monday and explore the beauty of the world around you with the help of your camera or smartphone.

6. Join our Creative Community

Four people standing in the Modern Art Oxford Café with drinks laughing. A string of fairy lights hangs above them.

Check out our upcoming events and get to know the creative people in your city. With talks and panel discussions, live music nights, craft workshops and so much more, there’s something for everyone.

Children aged 6 months to 5 years can join us at Make Play, and young people aged 16-18 can also join our Young Creatives programme – creative communities for all ages!

Book an Event

Enjoyed this? Check out more of the Modern Art Oxford blog, or explore the MAO Studio, your spaces to explore art online.