Art and craft as meditation

As the cooler weather begins and we spend a little more time inside, those of us who enjoy creative hobbies sort through unfinished projects from last year or find inspiration to start anew.

The sewing machine comes out, the half-dried paints are sorted and craft boxes are opened containing treasures we forgot.

I do what I can: I like to pretty-up greeting cards and enjoy making my own.

I love to sew, usually following a pattern and taking ages to get it right. I’m fond of the hands-on crafts making a comeback like knitting and woodwork.

Peering down at our own work and finessing, adding, creating becomes a way to simply use our bodies instead of overthinking.

What I like the most about art and craft is how time just slips away while you’re creating. It becomes a meditative work. Knit plain, knit pearl, knit plain, knit pearl becomes a repetitive ritual much like a mantra. The hum of the sewing machine or even unpicking stitches requires concentration on something tangible instead of our thoughts.

Peering down at our own work and finessing, adding, creating becomes a way to simply use our bodies instead of overthinking. It can be a deliberate escape from the pressures of life or from boring routine.

Sorting through boxes of bibs and bobs for me means discovering hundreds of little pieces of colourful stationery or glittery sticky things; stickers, pegs and pins; ribbons and chalks; punch-out balloons I’ve made from recycling gorgeous papers. The time taken just looking through inspires another project for a card or beautifying a note. It makes me think of others: who is having a birthday next or who is having a baby.

I am enticed by woven yarns, wooden animals and all kinds of things to play with while another season passes and I nurture the kind of meditation I don’t have trouble doing for more than 30 minutes.

Have you unpacked your craft box yet?

Warmest, Renee

Disclaimer: this blog post is intended as a beautiful and thought-provoking article for entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and cannot substitute for medical care.  No representations are made as to the completeness of any information and the author is not liable for any losses, injuries or damages from the use of this information.