Finding Comfort Through Creating

Finding Comfort Through Creating

Lately, there have been a lot of tough times for many of us. Recently, we’ve seen the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast US. I’ve been keeping those affected in my thoughts and prayers. We’ve had friends whose homes were severely impacted by Hurricane Milton. It will take time to rebuild, but they are safe. I was nervously tracking the storm, which meant I was also furiously stitching a project to help deal with my worries.

When times are tough, I get busy creating. Making things has always been my outlet and go-to when things are challenging. I typically double-down on projects during these times. It’s looked different through the years, sometimes with crocheting or sewing or scrapbooking. This round it’s quilting, crochet, and embroidery.

I’ve found myself working on a few more projects recently, a comforting activity during all the chaos right now. To clarify, I am personally fine. But I’m riding the highs and lows of everything going on right now like many of us. As I look around and take stock of what happening with my friends, my family, and my community, there’s a lot going on and it’s hard for many different reasons.

 One of my favorite quotes is “The problem with times like these is that there have always been times like these” by Paul Harvey. I’m a Midwest girl who grew up listening to Harvey’s “The Rest of the Story” on the radio in the car traveling the roads of Southwest Kansas. His no nonsense reporting and story telling are nostalgic for me. I feel like this quote really describes things right now. I think of my parents who were older and lived through WWII and their challenges, knowing hard times come and go and regardless things keep moving forward. They taught me you must decide how you will move with it. Either way time moves forward, and your best bet is to make up your mind on how you spend that time.

I decided in 2021 that this favorite quote was the perfect element for a mini quilt. That inspired the mini quilt features in this blog’s photo. It hangs above my desk in my mini gallery to remind me that there have been hard times before, there will be hard times again, and we’ll keep moving through it.

So here we are. To help me cope with these current challenges, I aim to do something creative, stitching or not, for at least 30 minutes a day. Sometimes that’s 5 minutes here or 15 minutes here or even stitching on the go. It all adds up and it’s helped. And I’ve made some fun things!

My current go-to projects are crocheting preemie hats for a local hospital and more of my 10” quote quilts. The preemie hats are a great stash buster and on-the-go projects. I keep a small bag of yarn and a hook in my purse and crochet when I have time. I send finished hats with my sister-in-law, who works at the hospital. It’s easy and very comforting for not only me, but the families who have appreciated the hats!

I’ve started making more quote quilts and they inspire me to play and learn new things. The quilts are also an outlet for me to express myself and “have my say” in a creative way. I’m learning a lot of new techniques I can’t wait to share with others! It’s also providing a calm outlet for stress and worries.

 I encourage you to pick a comfort project and dive into what you love – projects, places, time with those you love. Take some time and focus on that and make sure you are taking care of yourself. Let me know what you are making or how creating brings you comfort. I’d love to know!

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