June1, 2025
It’s a new year but our need crafting, creating, and making art hasn’t changed. The world is still crazy, and I’m still trying to quilt my way through each day. We’re back with another year of 30 Days of Dopamine, a no-stress challenge to focus on being creative every day for 30 days (you can read about how we got started with it last year here). Tons of studies have shown that engaging our hands and crafting helps to decrease stress and give your brain a case of the happy’s. And I don’t think I’m alone in wanting more happiness for my brain. Just like last year, we’re starting it off with a book review: let’s look at What Art Does, An Unfinished Theory by Brian Eno and Bette A.
What Art Does is a short and easy read and the perfect start to 30 days of thinking about creativity. Last year we were focusing on art and creating as healing with the book Creative First Aid (still a fantastic book that everyone should have in their collection). What Art Does is look at different ‘why’s’ for art, whether that’s the social sigificance or the desire to decorate or even a way to safely experience something outside of your own life. And it does it in a way that’s easily understood with fun little doodles. Because big thoughts can be fun too.
One part that really stuck with me just because of the nature of what I do with quilts, is looking at how everyone seems to have the desire to make art and to incorporate it into their daily lives. For example, we all need shelter but does the shelter need wallpaper (or a quilt)? We need food, but does it need sprinkles? We need to communicate, but do we need to sing? Yes, a resounding yes.
And the other takeaway I have is one that’s really at the heart of 30 Days of Dopamine. Changing your perspective from art being a finite one-and-done object to an action that we take every day means that it is attainable and accessible to you at every moment. If art becomes a way of engaging with the world, then it doesn’t stop. You can find art everywhere.
Welcome to 30 Days of Dopamine 2025.