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Crafting to Contentment



As this year is all about trying new things, being more positive and prioritising positive mental health, I thought I'd do a post on mental health and crafting.


I cannot begin to explain how soothing I find crafting. I have found that a day in the kitchen candle making or an evening with my pyrography pen and some wood can absolutely fly by forgetting everything else.


As I have mentioned in previous posts, I suffer with mental health issues including, but not limited to, severe clinical depression and anxiety. I often find that I can become overwhelmed with feeling sometimes, which is when we can make impulsive decisions, say things we may not mean and generally get ourselves into a bit of a spiral. We can isolate ourselves, cut off people, intentionally or otherwise.

Mental health is a dangerous game.

But that's a whole other blog post.


I recently saw a post online that stated:


The brain is an organ. Mental illnesses are illnesses of that organ. Brain scans show that there is a physical different between a healthy brain and a sick brain. Tell someone "you're not really sick, it's all in your head." is like telling someone with asthma "it's not real, it's only in your lungs." The brain is an organ that can malfunction as much as any other."


(I'm afraid I don't know who wrote that, but if you do, please tell me so I can properly source.)


I think this is really important to remember. Mental illness, for example depression, is literally a chemical imbalance in your brain where it cannot produce enough serotonin or other naturally occurring chemicals. It is not a self-inflicted ailment or something people would wish on their worst enemy.

When people say, "Cheer up, it's not that bad," it is like saying to someone with a broken arm, "you'll be fine, you don't need a cast."

The worst one is when people say "Don't be so sad, some people have it worse than you." Is that how we should measure ourselves? Against every other person? You wouldn't say to someone on their wedding day "stop smiling, some people have got way better lives than you!"


Of course there are many many courses to help improve mental health. Some may take tablets, some may go to therapy, some may exercise, some may adopt a different diet or lifestyle.

But the worst thing you can do though, is try and battle your demons alone.


As I was told growing up, "A problem shared is a problem halved."


Personally, I have been through every which way to try and get better, happier and "normal" again. But, I also believe that every single person is different, and so each persons health management is equally unique. You just need to find a positive outlet for these negative emotions.



For myself, I have realised that crafts, meditation and self-love are the most important factors in maintaining a healthy mentality.


Referring back to the previous blog post, January Check In, where I mentioned that I had been to a mindfulness and meditation group on the Saturday and had been filling in my 6-Minute Diary; it's going great.

I attended a second mindfulness and meditation group - I even took a friend along, who seemed to really benefit from the session. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone and have just embraced a completely positive mentality.

I am going to bed earlier, ensuring I do my evening (and morning) journalling in my 6-Minute Diary. I always turn my phone onto airplane mode overnight. I've noticed that not being glued to my phone directly before going to sleep has really helped.


However, despite things going amazingly well right now, I find myself exhausted. Who knew it really takes it out of you to be positive 24/7?! But then I realised, it may be difficult sometimes, but the outcome will outweigh the effort a thousand times over. Although I've been pushing myself and rediscovering my confidence and self-love after so long, and while I am so proud of how far I've come in just a month, I'm knackered.


For me, crafts are almost a way for me to just switch my brain off for a while. Whether it's candle making in the kitchen where I am constantly melting wax and pouring wax; the repetition of it and being surrounded by delicious smells, music on in the background and all the cups of coffee and tea I need, I feel euphoric.

Not only that, but crafts always produce satisfaction. At the end of it, you've got something that you've made with your own two hands from your own mind, and when it comes out half-decent, you're pretty darn chuffed - and even if it doesn't come out the way you want, you've learnt for next time! - and of course it's always important to learn from mistakes!


I'm gonna get a little bit scientific here now, but please, bare with me.


According to some research, crafts can actually help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia.

Studies have shown positive links between the cognitive skills dementia/stroke patients and crafting.

When occupational therapy started to become a thing at the start of the 19th century, craft courses usually in the form of basketweaving, were prescribed to WWI soldiers with anxiety, depression and even physical ailments.


I can't even begin to say how many articles and studies there are online that showcase the positive impacts of creative arts and mental wellbeing. I've been combing through them and just want to bombard you with stats and links, but I won't. All I'll say is, if you get a minute, just have a quick Google of some of the studies that have been completed and the outstanding results that creativity has on our mental state.


Also, I've actually just watched a documentary that was on BBC 4 (28.01.2020) called Losing It: Our Mental Health Emergency. If you do get a bit of free time, it is heartbreaking but really eye opening. Based in Nottinghamshire - where I am, so it is close to home on a literal level - it follows three young girls stories who are battling mental health in different ways from self harm to anorexia. The young age of the girls is shocking when you see what they go through and the impact of society and social media etc. But it also just goes to show that mental illness does not discriminate, even to ages. One of the mental health nurses featured on the show said that they have seen children as young as 6 years old in the hospital with mental health issues and that she had an 8 year old girl that afternoon who had try to hang herself. That just breaks my heart that there are not only adults, but young innocent children that don't even fully understand life yet, and they're battling these internal demons, not know how to cope or reach out.


A lot of the time, we tend to associate arts & crafts to children; perhaps at school or a summer camp with arts & crafts tent coated PVA glue, glitter and googly eyes. We think that art is just painting and crafts is just painted ice cream sticks. In general, we don't realise the variety of things, practical things, we can make and they're so easy and relaxing and have the bonus of being super aces for your noodle!


All I'm saying is, don't knock it until you've tried it. Even if you're not the 'crafty type', you'd be surprised at the things you can create! Pick up a pencil, turn some wood into a spoon, try knitting, melt some metal, pour some wax, thread a needle, pick up some shells, get inspired by nature, get inspired by anything and get stuck in.





Let me know some of your crafts that help you ground yourself and chill out. I hope your brain is being good to you today.


Peace & love,

H.T.



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