With the start of the pandemic, what was starting to be a
major trend anyway got even bigger. I am not talking about Selfcare. Although,
I would argue, there is a strong case for crafting to be a form of self-care.
Have you started a craft, yet? Which one?
There are multiple reasons to start crafting. Granted, it
won’t save you time or money. Crafting will not increase any convenience. But, if we stop measuring achievement in time
and money, we can gain so much more from what we do.
Reasons why to start crafting.
All the reasons I can think of can be put in 2 categories:
mental health and sustainability.
Sustainability
I understand. We don’t save money knitting our jumpers and
by no means time. But crafting and making things ourselves changes the way we
think about them. When you knitted your
own jumper, you will never look at jumpers in the shop in the same way. I would
say gone are the days that you would have thrown away a jumper with a run or, a
shirt because the seams are opening.
Also, think of the many things you can do with old clothes.
All the upcycles, thrift flips and recycles. By just sorting through what we
use before we throw it away, we both create and reduce waste. I saw beautiful
candle holders made from coke cans. There is no limit as to what we can use to
craft a thing. It’s up to our imagination.
Mental Health
Yes, I know this past year everything has been about mental
health. But there is a reason there are whole therapies based on arts and
craft. The positive effect crafting can have on our mental health has been the
subject of many studies.
The benefit of crafting is you can do them on your own, or
in a group. As an introverted person myself, I found it helpful to join the
local knit and natter group. Not all conversation is about your private life,
but about your current projects. You get to know people in your local
community while picking up some tricks from experienced crafters. It’s a way
to ease yourself into social situations.
You can take part in the conversation and take pauses as you need them,
focusing on what you do.
Crafting can be a meditative task. Focusing our attention on
what we do takes our mind off negative feelings. We focus on something
productive, something we like, something we will be proudly showing off when
it’s finished.
The best feeling comes when finishing a project. Increased self-esteem
building up with every project, even when it did not turn out the way you
wanted. We have this inherent need to be productive. And nothing will make you
feel more productive than creating something.
So why start crafting now?
Why not. We’re in a 3rd lockdown. We need something
other than, or at least in addition to Netflix. Something that will lift our
mood and make us feel productive, in another way than driving insane overtime
working from home.
Have you started a craft?
Why not share it with us on Instagram #craftjournaler
Crafting is easier when you share ideas!
Feel free to roam about and find more ideas on this blog. How about some
DIY?
Until I see you next time remember: Keep colourful and craft more :-)
