What exactly is self-care?
The idea of self-care refers to actions an individual can take to reduce stress and focus on their own well-being. These actions can be physical, emotional, mental, social, environmental, spiritual, financial…basically any aspect of a balanced life. The lines between the categories can blur or shift or overlap, but the goal remains the same: putting on the metaphorical oxygen mask to take care of one’s self.
Let’s talk about what self-care isn’t, in the context of quilting.
quilting Isn’t Therapy
Therapy can be a component of self-care, for sure.
While quilting can offer therapeutic benefits for many people, it isn’t therapy. It doesn’t involve a trained professional guiding the process and addressing specific mental health issues. Creative activities like quilting can provide stress relief, a sense of accomplishment, and a way to express oneself, but they’re a supplement to professional treatment, not a replacement.
- Unlike therapy sessions with a licensed professional, quilting doesn’t involve structured techniques or interventions to address specific psychological issues.
- While quilting can be calming and beneficial, the quilter is solely responsible for managing their emotions and experiences within the activity.
- Quilting cannot diagnose mental health conditions or provide a comprehensive assessment of someone’s psychological state.
what makes quilting self-care?
Even though quilting isn’t actually therapy, I understand why people say that. Quilting is therapeutic. Sometimes you get into a fantastic rhythm, and that flow just carries you through the day. Spending time with the quilting community can be rejuvenating, like at a good retreat or a quilt show (ever been to QuiltCon? It’s exhausting, but inspiring!). Most of all, the satisfaction of finishing a project just feels so good.
Quilting is self-care because it provides a creative outlet that can significantly reduce stress and anxiety through its repetitive motions, allowing for a meditative state while fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting self-esteem with each completed project. It’s a mindful activity that can promote overall mental well-being.
Key reasons why quilting is beneficial for self-care:
- Stress relief: The rhythmic nature of cutting, piecing, and stitching fabric can induce a calming effect, helping to quiet the mind and alleviate stress hormones like cortisol.
- Focus and concentration: The process often requires focused attention, which can help to distract from negative thoughts and improve cognitive function.
- Creativity and self-expression: Choosing colors, patterns, and designs allows for personal expression and creativity, leading to a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
- Sense of community: Joining a quilting group can provide social interaction and a supportive network of individuals sharing a common interest.
- Mindfulness practice: The repetitive actions of quilting can be akin to meditation, allowing for a present-moment focus and reducing distractions.
- Tangible results: Completing a quilt provides a visible outcome of your efforts, contributing to a sense of pride and achievement.
How does quilting balance your life?
Reflect on each step in the quilting process, from the first seed of an idea all the way through to sending your finished quilt to its home. What about that step feels like self-care to you? Can you associate it with one of the wedges on the Self-Care Wheel in the image above? Write it down.
Next time you feel like you’re a little off-balance, think about what you can do to restore or take care of yourself. Maybe go back and take another look at your Clarity and Connection worksheets to see if there are any common themes that will help you to recenter yourself.
If any of the quilting steps are especially frustrating to you, consider:
- saving that bit for days when you’re feeling confident and energized.
- asking for help from a friend.
- taking a class, watching a video, or reading a tutorial or book about that particular step.
- compensating! For example, if you struggle with cutting fabric, consider using precuts or finding a tool that can make it easier or more accurate for you (like an ergonomic rotary cutter, a strip cutting ruler, or a die cutter).
It’s all about being intentional in your quilting practice so that you find fulfillment and satisfaction throughout the process. No one wants to get stressed over a quilt!
What parts of quilting feel like self-care to you?
Download the Quilting as Self-Care worksheet:
Flourishing is a year-long journey that invites quilters to explore meaningful themes each month—clarity, connection, self-care, creativity, mindfulness, and beyond. Each month brings a new focus, sparking thoughtful reflection and creativity. Join the Flourishing journey through blog posts, inspiring newsletter articles, engaging social media content, reader challenges, and exclusive quilt block patterns. Flourishing stitches together personal growth and the art of quilting, offering a fulfilling path for quilters to connect, create, and thrive.
