Don’t Hate me but . . .

So many folks out there are telling others that knitting relieves stress and anxiety. It keeps you sane and can heal you. A good friend of mine found salvation in knitting during her close relative’s cancer diagnosis and harsh treatments. When I told her I needed chemo she immediately knit 10 hats in every color for me. Knitting is her safe place for healing. She’s amazing. Knitting can have an almost magical effect on some knitters, but not me.

It’s okay that knitting isn’t your happy place.

Okay, this won’t win me any popularity contests in the knitting world but here goes. I do not knit to relieve stress – ever. In fact, when I’m feeling depressed or worried, I lose my will to be creative. Knitting just can’t make me feel better. I’m an artist that needs to be happy and content in order to create. Does this surprise you coming from a knitting pattern designer?

If knitting is where you find peace, that is wonderful. I’m genuinely happy for you and I wish it was like that for me. My yarn stash would love it too. If you are like me and can’t knit when life just plain sucks, know that you are not alone. It’s okay that knitting isn’t your happy place. I have found other ways to ease my mind and heal my soul. Here are a few ways I relieve stress that don’t involve knitting or crafting.

• Be out in nature. My magical place of healing is the ocean. The sounds of the crashing waves, the salty air, and misty breezes. This the “why” behind the Ocean Home Shawl.
• Try Grounding. Go outside, take off your shoes, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and wiggle your toes in the sand or grass.
• Listen to Bilateral music. Do an internet search for Bilateral music and listen to whatever one you find. This really calmed my mind and helped me to focus when nothing else worked.
• Dance. Turn on your favorite music, turn up the volume, and dance like there are ants in your pants. Literally flail around. Kids are so much fun to do this with. You’ll be amazed at how good that feels to physically let it all out and just be silly.

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I hope one of these suggestions helps you find some relief. I’d love to know what works for you. Please share that with me below.