Things to do...

Sewing, pottery, embroidery, knitting, crocheting, woodworking, quilting, scrapbooking — these are just a few of the countless ways we can create things with our hands. But crafting goes beyond the physical acts of wheel throwing or needlework; it also has the power to transform our minds and, as a result, our lives. As Amanda Montell wrote in her book The Age of Magical Overthinking, “Needles and fabric do wonders for the spirit. A study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy surveyed over 3,500 knitters and found that 81 percent of participants with depression reported feeling happy post-knitting. More than 50 percent said they felt ‘very happy.’” It’s fair to assume this also applies to other forms of crafting. Clearly, there’s something special about taking raw materials and turning them into something beautiful that imbues in us a deep sense of joy and fulfillment. So the next time you’re feeling lost, down, or anxious, consider picking up your tools and using them to process your emotions.