June11, 2024
We’re taking the time to be creative because it’s good for our brains. That’s the whole raison d’être for this whole shebang. But as someone who isn’t trained on what’s going on in your brain, I thought it would be best if we checked in with someone who is. Cue Ellie Perez, aka Mojave Farms Quilting Co.
Ellie Perez is not only a pattern designer and the owner of the fantastic quilt shop Mojave Farms Quilting Co, she’s a licensed family and marriage therapist. She knows quilts and brains! Ellie and I talked about using creativity, crafts, hobbies, and even boredom to boost your mental health.
I’m so glad we got to talk with Ellie. Make sure and watch the full conversation on our YouTube Channel here.
Here’s the tldr version for you if you’re trapped at work and can’t watch fun things with the sound on:
- Let’s bust a myth; being creative is not a symptom of mental illness. There’s a trope of the tortured artist embedded into our psyche. You do not have to suffer to make something beautiful.
- Your psychiatrist or therapist may tell you to get a hobby, and it’s not just homework. Aside from things like increasing hand eye coordination, having a hobby and actively engaging in it does great things for your brain.
- Being creative can take you out of some negative or unhealthy thought patterns without even realizing it.
- Creative actions can be small. You don’t have to make a whole quilt every day to get the benefits of being creative. Thinking small is ok
This week your goal is to get lost in the flow of a process. Something small counts!
