Over the nearly three years I have been writing these posts the world around us has done its best to ratchet up our anxiety, apprehension, depression, and fear. We have survived (so far) a pandemic the likes of which we had not seen in our lifetime, and we are each in our own way still battling the consequences of that pandemic.
We have developed some coping mechanisms - not all of them good - but I hope that for you (as it has been for me) your creative life has provided some respite and reassurance on those days when it felt like the world was coming apart at the seams; an escape from the fear and loss that surrounded us and at times threatened to overwhelm even the most optimistic of us. (that's me, by the way. I am a Pollyanna who believes I have led a pretty charmed life.)
This week's recommended reading comes from Max Daniels, who I have referenced before. A life-coach , Ms. Daniels is a regular contributor to Modern Daily Knitting, a page I follow mostly to drool over the gorgeous yarns and patterns that are truly out of my budget - but it costs nothing to look!
In today's column she talks about knitting as self-care; as a way to combat anxiety and soothe a restless brain, and the scientific basis for that conclusion.
It's an interesting notion, and one that we can all appreciate as we negotiate the anxiety-inducing roller coaster that is modern life. While you may not choose to take up knitting as a way to quiet some of the monsters under the bed, the information she shares may offer you a springboard for finding a way to apply the self-care aspects to your own creative life.
And if knitting appeals to you - let's talk!