Stressed? How One Simple Crochet Habit Changed My Life
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Drowning in Stress and Desperation
In my twenties, I experienced panic attacks that left me terrified and desperate to avoid anything that might trigger them. Since then, looking after myself has always been a top priority. I made self-care non-negotiable, promising myself I’d never end up in that dark place again.
But life has a way of testing us.
Recently, I found myself trapped in a relentless cycle—working non-stop, juggling clients who wouldn’t pay, and constantly worrying about money. I felt like I was caught in a tornado with no way out, spinning faster and faster as I tried to keep up. Anxiety tightened its grip, and I could feel that familiar panic creeping back.
But then I discovered something simple yet powerful that changed everything.
Facing the Storm
Life wasn’t supposed to feel like this. I’d worked so hard to build something meaningful. But instead of satisfaction, I found myself drowning. Every morning, I woke up with a tightness in my chest, that familiar, suffocating weight pressing down.
I could feel the panic building, but I pushed through. I didn’t have time to fall apart.
Money problems clawed at me from every angle. Clients promised payments but never delivered, and I scrambled to make ends meet. No matter how many hours I worked or how many tasks I crossed off my list, it never felt like enough.
I was trapped in a relentless cycle of hustling and worrying, unable to break free.
The worst part?
Even when I could take a break, I didn’t know how to relax anymore.
I felt guilty for every minute not spent hustling.
My brain was a never-ending carousel of tasks and fears.
When did I lose the ability to just breathe?
That week, I forced myself to acknowledge what was happening. I wasn’t just stressed—I was spiraling.
I needed to find a way to slow down. So I made a plan to spend just 10 minutes a day doing something for me. Not for clients, not for bills—just for me. That’s when I remembered crochet.
Building a Ritual
One evening, something in me broke. I couldn’t stare at my screen any longer. I couldn’t scroll through more unpaid invoices.
I needed an escape. Running is often my escape but instead of my running shoes I picked up my crochet hook.
It felt absurd—like I was wasting time when I should be solving problems.
But I couldn’t keep going like this.
I started on a simple coaster. The kind of project that didn’t demand much thought—just something to keep my hands busy.
At first, my mind kept racing, bombarding me with guilt for not being productive. But as I worked, I noticed something strange.
My breathing slowed. My shoulders softened. The familiar rhythm of the stitches was like a lullaby to my nerves.
That week, I committed to making crochet a daily ritual. Just 10 minutes. I didn’t overthink it or plan big projects.
I let my hands move, and with each stitch, I felt a little more grounded. It wasn’t about creating something perfect—it was about reclaiming a moment of calm.
Letting Go of Perfection
I’ve always been a perfectionist.
When life spiralled out of control, I doubled down, trying to micromanage every detail just to feel safe. It was exhausting.
But crochet didn’t care about perfection.
At first, every mistake felt like a failure.
A dropped stitch? Unacceptable.
A knot in the yarn? Rage-inducing.
I’d unravel entire rows just to fix the tiniest error. But somewhere along the way, I realized that I was missing the point.
Life is messy. Mistakes happen. You keep going. You make it work.
Crochet taught me that imperfections didn’t ruin the whole project. They were part of the story.
A missed stitch wasn’t a disaster—it was just another step on the way to something beautiful.
By the end of week three, I noticed I was less tense.
Finding Clarity and Joy
Little by little, I started noticing changes. I wasn’t as quick to snap at the kids. I didn’t feel like I was teetering on the edge of a breakdown every second. The chaos was still there, but it didn’t own me anymore.
One day, as I finished a simple scarf, I held it up and realized I was smiling. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt that kind of lightness.
I was creating.
I was reclaiming pieces of myself that stress had buried.
I still had problems. Bills to pay, clients to deal with, uncertainties to navigate. But I also had this small, stubborn ritual that grounded me. A way to make space for calm, no matter how chaotic life got.
Crochet didn’t save me. But it helped me save myself.
It gave me the tools to slow down, breathe, and fight back against the anxiety that threatened to swallow me whole.
It reminded me that mindfulness doesn’t always look like meditation or journaling.
Sometimes, it looks like yarn and a simple stitch.
And maybe that’s the real lesson here: Mindfulness exercises for anxiety don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming.
They just need to be something that pulls you out of your head and into the present.
Something that lets you pause and feel human again.
If you’re feeling trapped in your own tornado, try it.
Pick up a hook, choose a simple project, and just start.
You might be surprised at how a little bit of yarn can change everything.
📖Book recommendations
Here are four of my favourite mindful craft books that take crocheting—and other creative projects—to the next level. If you're looking to unwind, find a sense of calm, or simply explore new techniques, these books will guide you toward more intentional and soothing crafting sessions.
You Deserve This Peace
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life and feel like there’s no way out. But remember, change doesn’t have to come from a grand gesture or a huge life overhaul. Sometimes, it’s as simple as taking a few minutes each day to reconnect with yourself through something as humble as crochet.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, give yourself permission to step away from the noise. You deserve that moment of calm, that space to breathe. Whether it’s five minutes or an hour, crochet can be the bridge between chaos and peace.
You’re not alone in this. Take that first step, and let the stitches lead you toward the serenity you’ve been longing for.
Talk to your doctor if you are struggling with your mental health, or here are some other resources:
UK: Mind - Advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Canada: CAMH - Information and resources on mental health and addiction support.
USA: Mental Health America - Offers mental health screenings, resources, and support for individuals seeking help.
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