Do you ever feel like your hobby is just one endless hamster wheel? Like you can't catch up with all the content on social media? Or you constantly need to be buying the next gadget?
In mid-2024, I had a rather public meltdown on Instagram (#awkward) about how effed up the craft industry is. I was creating content for various companies with the end goal of selling expensive things that even I didn't want or need. It was destroying my creativity AND the relationships I'd build in the craft industry.
After my public mental breakdown, I decided to make drastic changes in my content and in how I create:
I decided to only make what truly lights me up.
This made some (ahem) waves in the craft industry. Sorry, not sorry.
But here's the thing: when I started slowing down and making things that fed my soul, it had a ripple effect. I started getting emails from followers saying they felt seen. They're tired of being sold to, they're looking for community.
So after burning my first business to the ground (whoops), I rebuilt it based on slow, mindful creativity, and the most magical thing happened: not only did my mental health and creativity improve, but the rest of my life started getting better too.
It turns out, having a peaceful, healthy relationship with my hobby was just the thing I needed to regulate my nervous system so I could be more productive.
The first steps I took to reconnect with my beloved hobby was to turn my creativity into a ritual. I've always likened quilting to therapy (#quiltingismytherapy), but was it really?
The reality is that I was spending a lot of time in what I call "seeking mode," where I was scrolling social media and shopping for fabric, but not actually making anything. The part of our brain that makes us seek things is a prehistoric survival mechanism: it energizes us to look for food and water. But in the modern world? That part of our brain tells us that we need to buy all the things and constantly be looking for the next "hit."
So I made some drastic changes in how I was creating, and I want to share them with you so you can find the deep inner peace that hobbies are supposed to give us!
1. Morning Pages – Let it All Spill Out
Grab your journal and spend ten minutes free-writing whatever’s on your mind, totally uncensored. Don’t worry about making it pretty or poetic—this is for your eyes only. Let those thoughts and worries flow onto the page so they’re not bouncing around in your mind. This frees up space for your hobby to truly be a reflection of you, not the stuff sloshing around in your head.
2. Create a Mini Altar – Set the Scene for Creativity
This doesn’t have to be a massive shrine; just a little spot that makes you smile and reminds you of what grounds you. Personally, I have a few crystals, a sculpture my daughter made, and a candle on my desk. I light the candle and set an intention when I walk into the studio, then blow it out when I'm done for the day.
3. Sensory Stitching – Meditative Making Time
Whatever your craft—be it quilting, crochet, or embroidery—try setting aside some slow, intentional making time. Embrace each stitch or row as a grounding gesture. Focus on the feel of the materials, the rhythm of your hands moving, and let your mind wander in the best way possible.
4. The Daily ‘Art Break’ – 10-Minute Doodle Sesh
Don’t underestimate the power of a little playful sketching! Set a timer for 10 minutes, grab whatever art supplies you have on hand (or even just a pen and sticky note), and let yourself create freely. Draw anything that comes to mind or doodle away mindlessly. This isn't about perfection; it's about reconnecting with that spark inside you. Spoiler: this is how I come up with some of the best quilt designs! Most of my patterns started by mindfully doodling on some graph paper.
5. Magic Hour Tea or Coffee Ritual – Stir In Your Intentions
This one’s my favorite! I love to sip something warm and sweet while I work, and every time I step into the studio, I start by stirring a spoonful of honey into my drink, and set an intention for what I want to feel (not what I want to accomplish) that day. As I'm stirring, I visualize my day and see myself feeling however it was that I wanted to feel that day (peaceful, productive, calm, etc).
6. Dance it Out – Shake Off the Funk
Who says grounding can’t involve moving those hips? Pick a song that brings out your inner wild woman and dance it out—just you and your favorite jams. Don’t hold back. This is your space to release, express, and feel fully alive. I really wish I posted more of this on Instagram, but there are so many weirdos out there. Truth be told, most of us women hold our tension in our hips, so getting down and dirty for a couple of songs is just what we need to shake out that funk so we can create from a place of flow.
7. Sketch Your Vision – Visualize What’s Coming
Once a week, spend a few minutes sketching, painting, or collaging where you want to be in the future. Forget about perfect art skills here. This is about visualizing your dreams and letting that energy flow from your mind to the page. It’s grounding because it brings you back to why you’re here and keeps you anchored to your goals, no matter how chaotic life gets. It's important that this ritual not use the same medium you normally with with. If you're a quilter, try collage. If you're a painter, try sketching. Using a different medium forces you to slow down and be very intentional about the exercise.
What Not To Do:
There's a reason I didn't mention Pinterest, Canva, or shopping in this list! Technology tens to give us more information than we can handle at a time, which actives that "seeking" behavior I talked about earlier. This isn't a time for adding more information to your brains! It's a time to slow down and create an outlet for all the information already in there.
Next Steps:
Try the following journal prompt:
"What makes me feel most grounded and present in my daily life, and how can I invite more of that into my routines?"
Get specific here! Write about what moments or activities bring you back to yourself, even in small ways. Reflect on how you can sprinkle more of that grounded energy into your days, whether it’s working on your hobby, chopping veggies, or drinking your favorite tea.
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