May is Mental Health Awareness Month and as someone who has anxiety and depression I wanted to share the ways that Cricut crafting and creating can help those in the same position.
I have been trying to focus my crafts back onto the therapeutic side - meaning, I started my craft journey because I have anxiety and it was supposed to be my outlet. The pressure of social media, money, and growth has begun to cause me more anxiety in my life and I have decided to speak more openly about it and go back to creating for fun rather than all for business and the 'gram'.
So, how can crafting help your mental health?
Crafting can help you focus your energy on something productive.
If you are having any trouble - learn how to download and upload all of the free SVG files on my website here.
I love working on a project from making the SVG to cutting to building and seeing the final product. Crafting can get your mind focused on something positive which generates a product at the end that you can be proud of.
You can also focus on producing rather than negative thoughts by making things with your hands. Whenever I am in a negative headspace, I have to snap myself out of it. By working on an SVG or craft I am also to shift myself away from those negative thoughts, fears, or anxieties I may be facing.
The process of crafting can be meditative.
Crafting may help you enter a meditating mindset, which can improve your mental health and overall well-being. When you're crafting, you're in the present moment and focused on what you are doing, instead of thinking about something else or being distracted by other thoughts. During this time, it may be useful for you to notice how certain types of activities influence your state of mind.
For example: When I'm crafting, I find that I am more relaxed and at peace than usual.
By noting how crafting makes you feel, when you are having a time of anxiety or depression you can look back on what you made, try to replicate that feeling and feel more sense of calm.
Crafting helps you have a tangible reminder of your progress.
Crafting can be a powerful way to stay motivated and keep your spirits up, because it allows you to have a tangible reminder of your progress. I love looking back at past projects I have made and see how far I have come and what I have learned. You’re not just working towards “bettering yourself” or “getting better”—you can see and feel the results of your hard work. Something you made with your own hands will help remind you of the progress that has been made, even if that progress is small at first.
It's easy to keep the rewards from crafting all to yourself, or to share them when you're ready to do so.
In addition to being a relaxing and rewarding hobby, crafting is also a great way to express yourself. You can choose how you want to express yourself through the mediums that are available to you, whether it's knitting sweater for a friend or making jewelry out of beads and wire. Don't feel obligated to share your crafts with others if you don't want to—that's totally fine! Crafting is truly about self-expression and self-care, so there's no need for pressure from anyone else here.
Sometimes, I forget that Cricut crafting is for me, not just for social media and business. I started this journey to help with my anxiety and it's ok to make things for yourself. You can do this to mark progress, to give yourself a reminder, or even to just make yourself smile.
If sharing your crafts with others sounds like something you'd like to do at some point in time, there are lots of ways that could happen! You can sell them online (this requires setting up an Etsy shop), give them away as gifts (if someone asks for one), offer tutorials on how they were made or post pictures on social media sites like Instagram or Pinterest. It all depends on what works best for each individual situation! Just don't get too overwhelmed with the pressure (like I did) and end up with more anxiety than what you started with.
Crafting can help you feel more connected with others by providing a way for you to share something about yourself with them.
Creating and giving something away can be a great way to feel more connected to others. You are able to share your creativity with someone, and it also provides you with an opportunity to express yourself. The act of giving can be therapeutic, as it gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
To start out, think about what type of project you would like to create for this purpose. For example, maybe you want to make cards for the holidays or birthday cards for friends! If so, then consider some topics such as "What is your favorite holiday tradition?" or "How was the best birthday party that you've ever been too?" These are things that people may find interesting and could spark up conversations if they're asked on a card during their next gathering together.
When it comes time to put your cards together once finished making them (or any other craft project), adding something extra special will make them stand out even more than usual! An example could include putting glitter around the edges before sealing up envelopes using glue stick instead using tape which tends not only keep them secure but adds flair as well! It's easy enough once done correctly but looks great too so try doing this sometime soon if interested!
Crafting doesn't require any special skills or knowledge, but it does provide opportunities for learning and growth.
What it does require is that you have an idea of what you'd like to make, and then follow through with making it. There are many different crafts that can be explored and enjoyed, including knitting, sewing, woodworking, metalworking and more (like my favorite: paper crafting).
Often times when people think about the process of crafting they envision something beautiful being produced at the end—like a knitted scarf or a handmade bowl filled with beautiful fruit ornaments for Christmas gifts. But crafting also provides opportunities for learning new skills along the way—such as building up your strength in your hands by doing repetitive motions over time as you knit a sweater (and also getting better at holding needles). Or maybe even drawing out plans for simple furniture items that need assembly before they're put together! The possibilities are endless!
Learning new things is important for our mental well-being because we often find ourselves facing challenges throughout life that require us to grow emotionally stronger so we can handle them better than before--and crafting helps us do this!
Anyone can benefit from the calming effects of crafting!
It's important to note that even if you don't have a diagnosed mental illness, crafting can still help you relax and unwind. Crafting can be a hobby for anyone who wants to put their creative energy into something constructive and enjoyable. The internet is full of simple tutorials for how to make crafts like felted bowls, crochet hooks, or origami flowers—even if you've never picked up a needle or wielded a glue gun in your life!
If you're looking for ways to combat anxiety without medication, consider taking up DIY projects as part of an ongoing relaxation routine. It's important not to force yourself into some sort of rigid schedule of daily "rituals," but rather allow yourself some flexibility in choosing when (and how often) you want to craft. If there's nothing else on your calendar today but watching Netflix all afternoon? Then go ahead and grab some yarn from the craft store before bed tonight; tomorrow morning will be here soon enough!
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