I saw this post on line earlier in the week. I don’t know if it’s really by First Lady Coolidge or not, what struck me was the words in the post. The last half especially, about taking up a needle has provided me with stability in difficult times.

This approach has been used multiple times over. At the end of world war 1, soldiers with shell shock (what we would now call PTSD) were successfully treated using sewing and knitting as a stabilizing therapy. At the end of the 19th century, sewing was used to treat emotional disorders in women. More recently I have read multiple articles on how knitting and sewing are good for brain health and help people live longer lives. I know it doesn’t work for everyone, but for me these articles have always resonated deeply with me.

In times of great distress, sewing or knitting does several things for me. First of all, the repetitive motions associated with both are calming, much like a form of physical meditation. Second, I am creating something, which gives me a feeling of control. Some times a feeling of control in times when there is little control to be had.

We are now in the middle of figuring out social distancing for the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. There is a meme on facebooks that introverts have been preparing for this moment their whole lives, and I have to giggle – so have quilters and knitters. I have enough yarn and fabric to keep me busy for MONTHS. I also have patterns and projects in work and ideas galore.

I know this is a difficult time for many. I am approaching this the only way I know how. I am being careful with the things I do and the people I am around, and I am trying to find the silver lining in the cancelled events as they mean more time at home to sew and knit. Hopefully I can get a couple of things completed as the world works through this and we can get back to a more familiar life as we know it. I’d also like to think that I will use this break to reset my hectic schedule too, to gain more time to slow down and wield my needles, but I’ve said that before and life always takes over. I need to take this opportunity to slow down. I hope you can do the same.