I crochet – almost every night. I find the yarn to be therapeutic. Beautiful things come from just a ball of yarn and a hook. It helps me feel productive – gives me something to do with my hands while settling in for the night.
I crochet for two reasons.
It allows me the time to get lost in my thoughts – to quiet out the rest of the world and talk with myself. My hands move rhythmically looping the yarn and pulling it through. They know the pattern that I don’t need to look down. I can focus on the pattern and let my brain unwind. I review the day – what went well, what didn’t, what I’m worried about. I’m not Catholic, but maybe my yarn is like a rosary. I pray while my hands are busy at work.
The second reason I crochet, is actually the complete opposite. I crochet to drown out the worries and fear and pain that are screaming inside. Those moments when I can’t quiet down my thoughts … I can’t calm my heart enough to find the words for my prayers. I crochet to distract myself from listening to the war going on inside. I crochet to focus my energy somewhere positive rather than spin out of control. During these times I focus on the stitches – 1 single crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 single crochet 1 double crochet.
It’s taken me years to find something that would calm me down when life is spinning out of control. It’s changed over the years too. What worked for me five years ago doesn’t work for me now. I’ve had to stay in tune with my heart – I had to be willing to try something new. I had to show myself patience and grace. And I had to have faith that something would work.
What calms your soul? What do you do at night when you are trying to relax?
Love, Mel
I, too crochet at night – or knit – and like you, it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I see something completed. I do knitted and crocheted hats for the Children’s Hospital; things for my grandchildren; friends, and occasionally something for myself. As children growing up in the 50’s my mother’s philosophy was ‘The devil finds work for idle hands to do’, so we were encouraged to keep our hands busy with useful things. I find I cannot sit and watch tv with my husband, without something in my hands. I also utilise the time travelling to create. I am glad that you have found something to quiet your anxious periods, and to give you thinking time. Life isn’t easy, and we need to find strategies that work to keep us calm and connected. Wishing you well in your motherhood journey.
Knitting and crochet beat traditional mediation hands down!
http://thesnailofhappiness.com/2013/09/08/crafting-my-way-to-happiness/
I completely understand where you are coming from. Crocheting helps me relax and takes my mind off anything that’s been knocking around in my head all day! Even if I’m not making something I’m searching for patterns or reading other peoples blogs about where they’re making. It’s a brilliant craft and I would recommend it to anyone 🙂
I so enjoy your post and following your days. I first was introduced to you by my daughter and grand children making ornaments for Christmas trees a few years ago in honor/memory of your son. I am sorry for your marriage outcome, it’s not a failure since it gave you your wonderful boys!! Everything works together for good and for a reason. About your last post, my mom used to say that idle hands are the devil’s workshop. So very true. I love to knit/crochet or do the crossword puzzles at night. You are not alone in your worries, fear and pain. We all have those same issues. And God knows our prayers even if we don’t get the time to put them into words. “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice!! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petiton, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ. Phil 4:4” God Bless you Mel and God Bless your boys!! fyi: There is a beautiful yarn shop in Briookfield behind Kopps. I think thats Bluemound and Brookfield Rd. Anyway the owner has a large circle of comfy old chairs and the puplic is invited to come in, sit and knit. It is a warm and revitalizing time. I think it’s called River Boutique Yarn Shop Just a thought. And great chatting and ideas. 🙂
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 04:28:44 +0000 To: cindyjgeiger@hotmail.com
What calms my soul at night is laying in bed reading a good book, crocheting a item, sometimes a new pattern & sometimes a tried and true all depending if I want to think or just unwind. I will also sometimes do sewing until the wee hours of the morning if I can’t sleep. Doing something to calm the mind down is a necessary action, its something we all need to help us keep balance as life is not always easy or a quick fix.