I know, I know. This blog is about YOU and how to help YOU create a life you love but I want to show you how to crochet for your mental health and for a cause. They can both be for your benefit.
So why am I writing about “crochet for a cause”…other than for yourself? Because it helps enable you to feel better and that helps you live a life you love. There are many reasons to crochet for your mental health
Do you remember the last time you did something for someone because they needed help? How did it feel? You got all kinds of goosebumps and a knot in your throat didn’t you? Of course, you did!
That is just the kind of person you are. Caring, giving and unselfish.
You probably used to invite others to dinner when you knew they didn’t have much…even when you were struggling yourself. Maybe you left an anonymous gift for someone because you knew they needed it for one reason or another. I bet you can’t walk past the person dressed in a Santa hat ringing a bell either.
I’ve made and donated so many things to benefits we’ve had for people in our small town area
I’ve even held a couple of benefits for people I knew. We live in a small town. Not so small you know everyone but small enough that when you go to Walmart you will most likely see someone you know. There is usually a benefit being planned or held soon so I like to help out.
When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s I couldn’t do much of anything much less create anything for benefits. I was in a deep funk for awhile after being diagnosed. I really believe crochet saved my sanity. Now I am much more mobile and able to crochet after teaching myself when I couldn’t do anything else. I can’t tell you how important it might be for you to crochet for your mental health. It’s time for me to get back to giving.
Why? Because we know what it’s like to go without. You know how to tell your kids you already ate when you’re broke and aren’t eating. With a smile on your face, you dish up their dinner so they never know the truth. Remember?
As good as it feels to not be in that situation anymore, it feels even better to help those who still are
That’s why we gravitate toward these opportunities. We want to keep someone else from the sadness and despair we experienced so we try to give back.
Crocheting for a cause will not only let you enjoy your yarn time but you can find a cause for almost anything. There are hospitals in need of lovies for babies or chemo hats for cancer patients. Some charities need squares or full-sized blankets to give to the homeless, some of whom are suffering from chronic illness and are on the street because they could no longer work. There are children who have been subjected to awful things that could use a crocheted superhero or bear so they feel safer. You can do so much for others and crochet for your mental health at the same time.
Here are a few links to causes you might like. Some links have a list of causes:
- Crochet.org
- Starting Chain
- Facebook Page for Knit & Crochet For A Cause
- Crocheting For A Cause
- The Spruce Crafts
You are going to feel great while crocheting something for a specific cause but there are other reasons you should crochet too:
- Crochet can lessen depression. There are too many articles to list about yarn arts helping those with depression.
- Crochet is known to improve mental faculties as well.
- Creating something using crochet makes you feel good, giving it to someone in need makes the warm fuzzies that much stronger
- Finishing a project increases confidence and builds up self-esteem, especially if you learned a new technique or stitch. You are truly fantastic, crochet just helps you believe it.
- Crochet has been used in occupational therapy for decades. It has been used for anything from war veterans with PTSD to people in nursing homes AND it is effective at helping people overcome disabling conditions.
- Gathering with others who crochet helps you socialize in a less intimidating setting which can help those who have become isolated or suffer from anxiety. It can improve your mood and technique by talking with others and learning from them.
- Crafting through crochet can reduce or postpone dementia
- Crochet can help you make friends with the same interest as you
Want to read more about how crochet helps you? Check out these links below:
- Lion Brand
- Red Heart
- All Free Crochet
- Blog.lovecrochet.com says “Mental health, for many, is a difficult subject to talk about. It’s not like having a visible illness, or an injury – it’s a silent disease inside that can be excruciating and lonely.”
Crochet or crochet therapy can help improve your mental health. When you crochet for your mental health, you are unable to have those racing thoughts or think too much. This is not to say that your mental health can be cured by crocheting for a cause. I know the darkness of depression and I know that making a blanket isn’t going to make it magically disappear. Still, it WILL change how you feel over time.
Whatever cause you choose and however you decide to use your skills to help a cause that really speaks to you, I hope you find that warm fuzzy feeling. I wish you less depression and more laughter. May you feel more confident and less anxious.
Crochet can be as healing for you as it is to whoever receives your gift.
Crochet is an ancient skill. it can be used for many things and creates instant friendships. It can unite a group of people that would not otherwise talk. Crochet can connect you with someone halfway around the world and with your own sense of self-worth. There are thousands of women that crochet for their mental health. Many of them share their work in Facebook Groups and others share with family and friends. Some even sell their art on sites like Etsy or Conscious Crafties.
Some of us feel useless after becoming ill. I know I did and sometimes still do. Crocheting for my cause makes me feel a little bit better about myself and the world. Whether you crochet for a cause or not you are valuable. Even if you just crochet for your mental health I promise you are making the world a better place. You don’t need to give anything to be valuable, just be the amazing woman you are each and every day.
Let crochet help you build up your confidence and self-esteem
Create beautiful things that make you smile. That makes the world a better place all on its own. That is a cause in itself and you are worthy of all the good things it brings you. You are valuable and you are loved just the way you are <3
Share some causes for readers here at Chronic Chimera by commenting below this post. Have an organization that could use some help from the readers here? Do you crochet for your mental health and want to tell us about it? Contact me and I will share your information or maybe we can do an interview to share with the readers.
I love hearing all about how you tackle your struggles with chronic illness!
Do you have other tips you can share with us? Most spoonies have found workarounds for all types of things and I’d love to share your advice. Write a comment below or send me an email.
Kim is a freelance blogger, writer and VA. She loves sharing resources for other “spoonies” to help them create lives they love. Hoarding crochet patterns on Pinterest is her second favorite thing.
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