This 1 App Relieves My Anxiety Like Nothing Else

Updated on 7/27/2016 at 8:00 PM

POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim

POPSUGAR Photography | Sheila Gim

I've been an anxious person since as far back as I can recall. Seriously — I remember, at 11 years old, losing sleep over conversations I had with friends, acquaintances, and strangers in my sixth grade class (was I nice enough? Was I funny enough? Did that one thing I said come off wrong? Was I being a bother? Did my peers think I'm strange? Why didn't my teacher like me?). Only years down the road did I learn that it's okay to mess up sometimes, that it's okay if someone's not your biggest fan. It's okay to be different, weird, or even annoying (to a point, of course) . . . and the only acceptance that truly matters comes from within.

However, that's not to say I'm no longer anxious. Like any emotion, it comes and it goes. And something as minor as having to inform the restaurant they messed up my order can trigger it. In fact, it was just after I sheepishly called a local cafe on Friday to tell the manager they forgot to deliver my $5 freshly squeezed orange juice, and could they please either refund me or circle back to my apartment (they did the latter, and my face burned in shame for "being a bother"), that I decided to see if the app store had something to offer for anxiety.

Turns out "relaxing games" is a total buzzphrase in Apple's market, and a ton of interesting activities popped up in the search results. One app, in particular, caught my eye: Let's Create! Pottery Lite (also available on Google Play).

Now, I'm no artist. I took a sculpting class in high school my senior year, and only received an A for my floundering efforts, sadly. As far as virtual pottery goes, on the other hand . . . well, I might just have a hidden talent up my smock sleeves. I'm pretty savvy with my phone, after all. Why not give online clay-molding a shot?

I think I spent upwards of two or three hours creating the vases of my dreams over the weekend. I'm no Michelangelo — even with the help of a computer — but at least I'm not getting graded, right?! Here's a breakdown of the game, and why it's so damn SOOTHING.

On the homepage, hit "Create" to start off.

You have the option to Create, Shop, or check the inbox. The inbox may have an "email" (in quotations because it's not an ACTUAL email) from someone asking you to re-create the work in the picture attached. You can try that, or you can blow the sender off and just do your own thing, like the free spirit you are.

Sculpt your heart out.

Thankfully, the app advises you on how to mold the clay. Swipe your fingers inward, outward, up, and down to make different shapes.

When you're done, fire up the kiln.

It's kind of phenomenal how the clay bakes in, like, five seconds. The kiln must possess magical powers or something.

Now that it's dry, you can paint your pottery.

I'm not sure what's more enjoyable, sculpting or painting — both parts of the process take you out of your element and put you in the zone. You can get super creative with the colors and patterns offered, which you're able to purchase after the next step. More on that soon.

Oh, and turn your volume up! The sounds of nature play softly in the background as you paint your ornaments to life.

Sell your work to make cash.

Auction off your pottery for "coins" (in quotations because they're not ACTUAL coins — wouldn't that be nice, though?). Save your virtual cash, and you'll eventually make enough to buy more colors and patterns for your future masterpieces. The best part? None of this requires the use of your credit card, and believe it or not, that isn't the case for many other gaming apps (something I'll never get on board with). Tip: take a screenshot of your sculptures before selling if you want to look back on what you created, because there's no way to revisit your sold artwork.

Consider the upgraded version for additional features.

There are LOTS of sweet perks about the upgraded version (Let's create! Pottery HD), which I shamelessly threw down 5 bucks to get. For starters, you're able to purchase more patterns (again, not with real money). You're also invited to join the app community where you're encouraged to share, comment on, and vote on other users' work. Last but certainly not least, you're given the option to 3D print (!) for a price. Yes, my friends . . . this means you can potentially hold your pottery in your non-virtual hands, if you so desire.

In summary, this app provides an excellent distraction from the struggles of daily life. We worrywarts need something to unwind, whether it be exercise, coloring books, baths, meditation, journaling, or a combination. Computer pottery may not be conventional, but it sure is effective.