The Rhythm of Handcrafting Soothes My Mind
With my hands moving, I can almost imagine tiny little cogs within me, all working together for a common goal. I have experienced glimpses of this over my life, but never so much as when I am making.
written by úna shea
Long before I became aware of being neurodivergent, I would bring crafting with me places. It centered me, gave me a bit of mental clarity, and gave me a purpose in moments where I wasn’t sure where I fit. A 13-year-old me brought knitting needles to a variety of places, and became a hat making machine. At 16, I tried my hand at making my fancy dress costumes by hand (with varying success). In university, I knitted squares on squares on squares during performance classes with the goal of one day making myself a patchwork blanket. And, although I wasn’t the best, or making anything complex, every time a square was made, I felt proud.
“I made that” glowed inside me, even if just for a moment.
Those times pop up in my mind now and then, as I now live as a late-diagnosed neurodivergent person, wading slowly through the squidgy mud of burnout.
As I’ve come to understand myself, and all the facets of myself I never knew before, I have found a safe haven and passion in crafting in a way I never have had before. Not only do I find personal pride in my creations, and an outlet for my creativity, but learning how to craft in new ways has given me so much more.
I find a new way to develop patience and perseverance while making, focusing on a goal that is somewhat meaningless in the grand scheme of this, albeit very meaningful for me. My neurodivergent mind allows me to create projects in my mind's eye, and when I finish with a successful project in hand, my self esteem and creative flame glows within me. And, when stitches are dropped, bobbins are jammed, or scissors fail to cut in line, I work to craft mindful ways to work within the frustration and disappointment to find the value in that as well.
When burnout has clouded my brain and required me to rest, crafting has been there. When I ache for something that shows my successes in hand, rather than the challenges I feel, crafting is there.
And, when I want to challenge myself to make something difficult (and actually finish it, regardless of challenges), crafting is there.
I don’t just make hats, trinkets and other items when I craft, I also make a better understanding of myself—my strengths, my weaknesses, my wins, my mind, my sense of self, and so much more.
Not a day goes by where I am not grateful for what my hands can create, and the me it creates with it.
úna shea
Úna is a neurodivergent creative with a background in music performance and Montessori education. She holds a first class BMus (Hons), an AMI 0-3 Montessori Diploma, and soon, an MA in music psychology.
Úna primarily is a fiber artist, focusing mostly on crochet, but is dabbling in pottery, sewing, and knitting, as well. She currently creates items highlighted on her Instagram, freelances in social media management and educational research and copy writing/editing. She loves to collaborate creatively and is always looking for new ways to use her creative skills.
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