This is a guest post, republished with kind permission from a member of Mindful Art Club.
My Craft Room
Whilst in therapy I discovered the value, joy and fun that comes with crafting. I’m good at some crafts and a complete novice at others, but I wanted to try everything!
I used to be scared of trying new things. I was terrified of failing, but not now, (another benefit of counselling!) I try new crafts and enjoy the process, even if the end result isn’t quite what I had in mind.
I’m crafting for fun, relaxation, sense of achievement and for the physiotherapy it gives to some of my aching joints.
I wanted a space to craft… and only for crafting!
So, I turned my spare bedroom into my craft room. A large table, a smaller table, a storage unit and lots and lots of boxes to contain my stash; yarn, fabric, kits, paints, pencils and books. The list goes on. I have lamps, an ironing board and the most comfortable bed to rest on when tired. I was really pleased with how it turned out. I loved it.
But I didn’t use it. I would look in. I would go in and rearrange things, but I didn’t use it.
What happens when you finally get what you’ve wanted? I felt scared of the new possibilities open to me. I felt I didn’t deserve it. So I made excuses as to why I wasn’t using it.
Then came three days: Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I had no plans. Nobody wanted or needed me, and I had no spare money to take myself out. So I was brave, and gave myself permission to go in and use my room.
In those three days I learnt that I did deserve the wonder that is my craft room. I was free to let my inner girl out to play. Ribbons, buttons, bows, fabric, coloured pencils, paints and glitter. It all came out! We played and we crafted, my inner child and me.
My craft room is now my physical safe space. In my room I work hard on complicated projects and I chill out colouring in children’s and adults colouring books. I have a go at crafts new to me and don’t worry about the result – well, not too much! I have some success and some not so successful, and I keep them all. They mark another stage in my journey. I’ve discovered I can try and fail, and my world doesn’t end.
It is a safe place for me to be me, and for me to have a go at life.
Shona.
