When someone calls you “crafty,” they may have one of two things in mind. They might be saying that you are clever and conniving, finding ways to pursue your goals that might not occur to other people. They might go so far as to suggest you are sneaky.
But they might mean something entirely different. They might be saying that you are good at various crafts. What having a “green thumb” means when the subject is gardening, “crafty” means when the subject is creating something with your hands.
In this blog entry, we are going to focus on that second meaning of crafty. We do not know if you are clear and sneaky, but we do know that cultivating some craftiness in the second sense can have a positive impact on your mental health.
The Crafting Options are Endless
Sometimes you hear folks talk about “arts and crafts,” and that is a good way to get a grasp on all of the activities that might be included in the “craft” category. Here is a partial list drawn from a much longer list:
- Crocheting (this one is having a moment)
- Origami
- Candle making
- Patchwork and quilting
- Wood carving
- Stained glass and glass painting
- Signwriting
- Puppet making
- Calligraphy
- Toy making
We might toss a couple more things under the header “arts and crafts.” Painting with watercolors or oils, for example, is of a piece with the kinds of things listed above. So, too, might the project of making friendship bracelets—a favorite craft of Taylor Swift fans.
The important thing is finding an activity you will enjoy. There will almost certainly be a learning curve at first and maybe moments of frustration down the line, but enjoyment and relaxation are the two outcomes you are pursuing when you take up a craft.
And what about artistry? Well, you may discover that you have a particular talent or passion (or both) for a craft you are exploring. That, in turn, might mean you find yourself sharing your crafts with others or even selling them to enthusiastic buyers. But you certainly do not have to have other people’s approval or enthusiasm to enjoy mental health benefits from crafting.
Why Crafting Can Be a Benefit
What is it about doing a craft that can be helpful to your efforts to improve your mental health and maintain those improvements over time? We might suggest that the benefits fall into three broad categories.
First, a craft can be a wonderful hobby—and hobbies promote rest, relaxation, and recharging. Each time you take up your craft, you can set aside the daily stressors for a little while as you focus on something you enjoy doing. Perhaps counterintuitively, we suggest that you put your crafting time in your calendar. That way, it has the same kind of importance as anything else in your schedule—which makes you far more likely to do it.
Crafting can also serve as a kind of mindfulness technique. We mentioned above how a craft you enjoy can hold your attention. When you are working on a project, you may find that your mind is more able to stay focused on the current moment rather than ruminating about past regrets you cannot change or worrying about future concerns that may or may not arise. Cultivating that kind of focus is good for your mental well-being.
Third, crafting is an excellent way to tap into your creative side. Sure, you may want to follow instructions and watch tutorials and the like in the early days, but eventually you might find that you have some ideas of your own that you would like to pursue. Engaging your creativity opens up new possibilities and reminds you that you can help shape things around you. That is a notion that can serve you well in other contexts as well.
How to Get Started With a Craft
One barrier to becoming a regular crafter is that it can be hard to choose a craft in the first place. The good news is that it is perfectly acceptable to employ the trial-and-error method. Just give something a try to see if you like it. Or ask a friend to show you a few things about a craft they enjoy. You might even be able to find a local class where you can learn with others and maybe make some new friends, too.
Our Craft Is Helping You
At Peak View Behavioral Health, we help people improve their mental well-being—and thereby improve their overall quality of life. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View is committed to employing evidence-based practices to craft personalized treatment plans that enable the people we serve to embrace hope.
We offer robust inpatient and outpatient treatment programs so that you can find the best option for your unique situation. And when treatment comes to an end, you can count on us to provide a continuum of care so that you continue to have support as you move forward. If you are ready to craft a better life for yourself, we can help you accomplish your goal.
