Everywhere we read, “The number one benefit of crocheting is that it reduces depression and anxiety, which are leading concerns among the younger generation nowadays. Attention spans are decreasing to just a few seconds; however, crocheting, on the other hand, increases attention span and calms the mind with repetitive work.’
I hundred percent agree with this but for me, the most important benefit was improved self-esteem. Growing up, I was never able to finish a project I started. I would lose interest in any project after a few days, grappling with unfinished work. I would invest in material costs and join a class to learn that skill, but I would never take it to the end to proudly say that I created it.
Years went by, and this self-doubt kept growing. I was always worried about starting new things and taking initiative, as my old recording would start playing, telling me that I might not finish what I started. However, when I picked up the needle after many years and finished a small headband, I felt so much better. I made beanies and small baby blankets for friends and felt incredibly happy.
The feeling of finishing a blanket that someone can use was amazing. It gave me great confidence that I could make something from start to finish. This boosted my confidence, and I started tackling bigger projects. That newfound confidence also helped me at work, changing my thought process. Now, I tell myself that I can start something and finish it. I can learn new things and see them through to the end. I can take on bigger projects and complete them.
It is also helping me to take risks. In any new crochet project, I make mistakes, go back, fix those mistakes, and start over. I am applying the same strategy at work. I tell myself to go for it, learn new things, accept mistakes, go back, fix them, and learn from them to move forward.”
Crochet has improved the quality of my life and it continues to do so.