With the UK under lockdown 3, maintaining good mental health is quite the challenge, especially in the middle of a dull and dreary January. Finding a hobby – and therefore having something positive to focus on – is great for one’s mental health. If you’re struggling to find a passion, here’s five creative TV shows to inspire you.
#1 The Repair Shop
This is a must-watch show for anyone who loves old things. Each week, people bring in their battered and broken antiques, and the crew at The Repair Shop bring them back to life. Most of the objects have sentimental meaning, and I often find myself brimming when they see their treasured possessions as good as new. Slow and sweet, this show is heart-warmingly feel-good and will leave you with a huge smile on your face.
Available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.
#2 The Great British Bake Off
Known as the Great British Baking Show in the US, Bake Off is famous the world over. Each week contestants have to bake in three challenges – a signature bake, a technical challenge, and a show-stopper – with one winning “Star Baker” and one being eliminated. Despite the competition, bakers often help each other out, and there’s a good-natured spirit that gives truly positive guides. Those at home can also join in with recipes appearing online after each episode, and a series of tie-in books that always fly off the shelves when they launch.
Available on Channel 4 and More4
#3 Nailed It
The antithesis to Bake Off, this Netflix show has very amateur bakers attempt to recreate intricate cakes with often hilarious results. Though some bakes are terrible, there’s no nastiness in the judging, with contestants laughing at themselves as much as everyone else. A funny, light-hearted show that’s ideal for those that can burn water as well as better established cooks, Nailed It is a great way to lift your spirits.
#4 The Great British Sewing Bee
Taking its basic idea from Bake Off, The Great British Sewing Bee swaps making cakes with sewing garments. Responsible for a surge in an interest in sewing, Sewing Bee shares the low drama of Bake Off and again usually sees contestants helping each other. The Alteration Challenge in particular is great fun, and food for thought for recycling garments.
#5 The Great Pottery Throw Down
In last position because pottery is a difficult to do at home, the Pottery Throw Down is another show built on the popularity of Bake Off. What I love about this show is the history given on the making of certain items. It’s absolutely fascinating, and then of course there are the makes themselves. My only quibble with Pottery Throw Down is the technical challenge, which sees “failed” makes thrown into the clay bin. The contestants laugh, but it feels a little cruel to me.
I haven’t watched any of these shows before. I like to watch police shows or police documentaries that are true. Thank you for sharing your suggestions.
The only one of these shows I’ve not seen before is Nailed It, so I’ll have to check it out. I love the others though!
The only one of these I’ve seen is Bake Off and I just loveeeee it! It’s such a great show, I look forward to it every year. Not sure if you can count Strictly Come Dancing as a creative show? I guess it is. But I love that too, that always inspires me!
I don’t see why not – after all, the professionals have to design the dances.
I love all of the BBC shows but I haven’t seen the Netflix one – looks fun, I’ll have to search it out!
I love Bake Off! I’m currently watching the SU2C episodes 🙂
I enjoy the Great British Baking show so much! It is light-hearted and humorous, and inspiring to see how creatively people come back from their fails and grow.