Does Your Brain Need a Break?

Every Friday I write the 20 Minute Club Minutes–because using a timer for what I call the 20 Minute Technique can keep your creative momentum going in your busy, time-crunched life–20 minutes at a pop.

Please join in and share your 20 Minute Experiences in the Comments–good/bad, it’s all fair game.

The Power of Knitting

What can you make when your brain feels empty and tired because the big hard things that can happen in life seem to sap all your time and energy and there’s seemingly nothing left for your creative self?

You can knit. Or weave. Or embroider. Or quilt.

Or any other kind of traditional craft which involves a repetitive zen-like action that allows you to build a real tangible beautiful thing without having to be immersed in lots of decision-making the entire time.

I’m new to knitting. And with the help of an expert knitting friend, I’m starting my second knitting project–a simple cuffed half scarf/half shrug-y thing–that’s it there at the top of the page.

So this week I’m all about the knitting because I’ve got a lot of hard going on–challenging family matters that require most of my time and energy these days–and often, I’m emotionally wrecked.

Which means I don’t have extra thought power for a drawing right now. Or a collage. Or even a sewing project that would involve reading a pattern. Most of the time, my mind feels kind of blank.

And because of that, I’ve discovered the soothing power of knitting. Because now that the initial decision making is done, I need to execute lots and lots of stitches.

Right now knitting allows me to continue to create without asking the world of me, without needing answers (which is good because I don’t have any.)

I can get lost in the rhythm of the stitches and quietly work on my technique and kind of rest there in the project.

So this week–20 minutes here, 30 minutes there–I’m resting in my knitting.

Appreciations

Appreciating yourself is an important part of the 20 Minute Club because it helps you keep your creative momentum going.

Carving out the time to create is a must, but it’s not enough. Getting (and eventually staying) on your own side is a critical factor for helping you take bigger risks with your work, get yourself out of a creative rut, or just enjoy the process more.

Taking the time to remember to appreciate yourself and all your efforts (big or small) is a powerful way to make this happen.

Here’s my five self-appreciations for this week:

1. I appreciate that I’ve continued to give myself a break and keep my expectations realistic–this has truly contributed to my sanity this week.
2. I appreciate that during this stressful period I’ve managed to  “just show up” in the Woody Allen sense of the phrase–as in “90% of success is just showing up.”
3. I appreciate that I’ve exercised well this week and it’s genuinely helped me de-stress.
4. I appreciate that I made an appointment to see my chiropractor when my backpain is just twinge-y instead of waiting until it’s unbearable. (Ah, stress.)
5. I appreciate that I’m knitting and just enjoying the process.

Your Turn!

How was your creative week this week? Did you squeeze in some 20 Minute Sessions? Was it too hard to make it happen? Up, down, good, bad–I’d love to hear from you.