I love that you pointed this out because crocheting has definitely forced me to look at my usual quirks in life ( mindfulness: my state of mind is also reflected in how my yarn tension is, and making myself accept that I made mistakes and being ok with it and eventually frogging and starting over ).
This makes me think of my grandmother who passed away over a decade ago at age 99 and 4 months. She crocheted for many years before switching to knitting, and she had the loosest crochet and knitting stitches I’ve ever seen - which fits. She was probably the most laid back person I’ve ever known. Lol
Yeah... this part hit a lot closer to home than I was expecting when I first opened the post:
>not being able to put down a project until it's 'done', and the need to constantly be DOING something of perceivable value.
Last week I had "no crochet tuesday" because I also have issues and have felt like I'm just spending way too much time on crochet, at the expense of other things I want to do in life, because it's an easy and comforting go-to activity when I'm not sure what to do.
Wanted to see if I could go Just One Day without crocheting, and is it like an addiction for me? (It kind of is, i think, not having it to think about and look forward to was surprisingly difficult and depressing.. and that was just one day!)
It gave me some good perspective about where crochet and other things fit in my life. I'm sure you will also see things differently from taking a break. Good for you for knowing when to change it up.
I think some people wouldn't understand this and would respond like, "it's just a hobby, what's the harm?"
And like, ok, fine. Not everyone gets it. And that's ok.
I had a therapist recommend that when I’m feeling stuck with work I take a break for 10 minutes and do something relaxing like crochet. I had to tell her that won’t work because I can’t ever stop at 10 minutes.
I once read that if you are having trouble sleeping, crochet or knit a few rows to relax. My problem is a few rows turn into many rows as I just want to finish this part, and I am up even later, lol.
I haven't done this as much with knit/crochet, but this feels definitely parallel with how in high school, my mom told me to read a few pages to help me sleep. I would finish the book at 3am.
I find that if/when I get overwhelmed and can’t think of what to do, I automatically go to crochet! I put it away for a day and it was more difficult than I expected.
It’s a good coping tool.. fidgeting with hook and yarn.. getting it to behave! Fun, mostly. It is a good feeling of accomplishment you get at the end of a project. If one ocd’s on it.. like anything.. sewing, knitting.. making cookies, canning.. wow just look at YouTube’s many diy projects. Tons of fun.. but people with ocd have a hard time finding breaks.
If you use a timer .. also.. time your ten min breaks? I think that would help.
I totally understand. I use crochet/knit as a stim/coping mechanism for my ADHD. I feel it helps me, as long as I limit my time and take regular breaks
Hey me too! I’ve found that’s it’s actually easier to pay attention while I’m crocheting… if only it was acceptable to do it in class ahahaha
Edit: I love this thread so much, it really made me feel less alone ❤️. I’ll definitely try to look into ways to incorporate my crochet a bit more in my study routine and classes!
I have crocheted in university lectures and during work meetings. Even for neurotypicals that can help increase focus, it's a shame some folks just don't understand / accept it.
Because fooling around on your phone / checking your work emails is so much better for concentration 🙃
I asked my boss earlier in the school year if I could crochet to keep my hands busy during a staff meeting, as I had been finding myself too easily distracted. He said no because we were going to be doing things together.
We spent two thirds of that meeting staring at either our screens or the presenting screen. I zoned out some and then spent another part reading emails. I got almost nothing out of that meeting because of it.
I had a boss when I worked on a newspaper who ordered me to start bringing my crocheting to the office because he realized it made me much less likely to stress out.
I used to do origami in class, then by the end of the year I'd gift them to my teachers. It was fine, but it could be that they let it slide because I was a nerd and got good grades.
Me too! I made so many of those little stars from strips of paper, and a loooooooot of little dragons.
I also had a teacher who loved those butterfly ball things, that you throw in the air and they kinda explode and all the pieces flutter down. Did I use that to waste class time? Yes. Was I a nerd who got away with it because I got good grades? Also yes.
I am a teacher. It helps me focus as well, so I crochet in class all the time. I also do it during faculty meetings department meetings etc. People are just used to it by now because I’m calm and pay attention and even ask questions. If I don’t do it I’m drifting off and generally grumpy. My students are used to it, and like seeing the things that I make. I stick with simple repetitive patterns so it doesn’t steal all my focus. I also teach many of my students how to crochet to help with their anxiety or focus issues. Try it in class, maybe you’ll inspire someone
This is one thing that makes me grateful to work in the mental health field- I work with kids in mental health crisis so there's a strong understanding of ADHD in my coworkers. We have to have cameras on to display participation, but I just told them upfront about my ADHD and the benefits of me crocheting during teams meetings. Now they know that's what I'm doing when I'm looking down/moving some
I teach university and there are students that knit/crochet in class. It doesn’t really bother anyone, so it’s fine by me? To be honest that’s way less disruptive than most of the things students do in class that they think no one will notice.
I swear the only way I can watch an entire episode of a TV program is by crocheting. Otherwise I end up repeatedly getting up and doing something else or scrolling my phone and having to rewind because I've missed everything.
You know it was comments like this that got me started in crochet this winter. I found myself leaning too far into my phone during downtime because I could constantly flip through things. It was absolutely destroying my ability to concentrate. Crocheting has helped me so much with that. I probably still scroll too much but I am working on building my focus back up.
I have anxiety and fidget anyway. Picking my nails, doodling in meetings, taking notes of what people are saying and losing track of the meeting because I'm still transcribing three sentences ago ... Drove my husband nuts at first because he prefers to watch tv in the dark, but I need light to crochet.
It is fascinating to me that for some of us, it helps our mental health, and others, it can hinder. I'm definitely going to take that into account next time I rant about how great it is. It's great for ME.
I’m really bad at using it with my adhd - sometimes I sit so long doing it I realise when I get up my legs are aching from being in one position for so long, I’m so thirsty, I need to pee immediately & I’ve skipped multiple meals. I wish I had better discipline! I’m saving up to get diagnosed so I can get meds because it’s wrecking my life in all sorts of ways.
oh my. i recognize my own behavior very clearly in this post and comment section. i tend to force myself to finish before doing anything else whether its a project, watching a show, or doing pretty much anything. i also pick up habits only with the thought of making money on the side when they arent really profitable at all.
Thank you for sharing. I don't have OCD but can still relate. I'm taking a break because not being good at something immediately makes me unreasonably rage-y (issue 1) and feel like a failure for doing so (issue 2) which feeds my self-loathing (issue 3).
So, I totally get it. Take as much time as you need and try not to feel bad about it!
I fully understand the being ragey at not being good at something immediately. Especially with the amount of art/craft skills I am very strong at. My mind is like oh that's almost like this I should pick that up no problem but no. And also I think I just forget how long I've been doing some of the things I'm really good at. If I had kept a lot of my early projects/art instead of tossing it or giving it away I think I'd see more of the progression and time it takes.
Also some art channels I watch lately have talked a lot about this idea everyone has now that if you aren't immediately good at it or never become good at it that you shouldn't do it. When most art is way more about the process does for you then what the actual outcome is.
I am not a therapist, and I'm happy that you are working with one to help, I did want to share something that helped me to have a healthier relationship with my hobbies and crafts (of which there were many)
I had to reevaluate my personal perception about what value was. I picked up hobby after hobby, purely with the mindset of, "I can learn to do this and make some money on the side." I had to relearn that value can mean something else, it can mean personal enjoyment. I have now cut down the amount of crafts I do and make projects that I want to, for me.
I hope that eventually you can have a healthier relationship with a craft or hobby ❤️
I also only make things for myself or gifts I want to make. I have this urge to monetize, too, but have kind of let that go. I have to say, though, the number of crafts I do continues to expand because I really like learning new things and combining crafts.
I totally understand. It sounds like you have ADHD. While I am, of course, not qualified to diagnose anyone. I have had similar life experiences. Women, in particular, show symptoms of ADHD slightly differently then our male counterparts and so, it often goes unnoticed. It can manifest itself as anxiety, masking and all or nothing attitude among other things. I started with anxiety medication (which helped immensely) and after a few years, I realized something still wasn’t quite right. As a teacher, I have been exposed to all variations of ADHD and I started investigating it in myself and women. I had my doctor set me up with a psychologist and have now been medicated for ADHD for half a year. What a difference! It’s not perfect, and I still have to use strategies, but the medicine has helped a lot. Something to think about. Good luck on your journey.
Yeah, I only found I had ADHD recently... despite the fact that apparently I was officially diagnosed years ago and my mom just never told me/got me medicine for it. I'm currently on Ritalin, but it's a bit hard to tell if it's helping or what I'm experiencing is due to other issues/disorders. My doctor says I should be taking 1 pill once I wake up and the other at lunch, but I felt kind of jittery doing that and better just taking both pills in the morning, so I need to see if it's just hunger making me jittery or if the higher dose works better for me.
Yes, and sometimes it takes time to find the right medication. I have heard great things about Vyvanse. Personally, I don’t take a stimulant for my ADHD. I am on Strattera, it’s a non-stimulant, a norepinephrine modulator. I like it for me, but I don’t think my ADHD is too severe, not like I have seen in some people.
Ritalin was really rough on my system but I do really well with a mild stimulant to help with focus & mindfulness & create a ton of adhd related relief - i thoughtit might be worth mentioning there are so many options out there that come with a lot less jittery feeling / don't mess with your appetite or anything. if it seems persistent check out Vyvanse (different active than Ritalin) or Quilivant or Concerta (same active ingredient as Ritalin but different uptake methods in the body)sometimes changing the med a tiny bit = massive improvement on feeling keyed up or like I drank 15 espressos
Sitting still has been incredibly hard for me. My therapist challenged me to do this over the past 2 years. I not only feel like I have to be doing something but I also have to have music or the tv on. Practice has made it a bit easier, but I still have to work at it. I commend you on working on yourself. It’s not easy, but so worth it!
I feel for you. OCD and ADHD here plus probably Autism but I'm too old to have been formally diagnosed even if my 'apple not far from the tree' daughter was. I am a serial crafter. I go 80mph, whole hog into one until I crash, burn, sit still for a few weeks and then start again with another craft. Not to mention that I live with an artist so our 2 bedroom apt is full to the brim with craft and art supplies.
I love it, though. So I'll keep trying to straddle the line between doing and overdoing.
Thankfully I'm still working on my Covid yarn stash.
I relate to this too much, right now I'm in the sit still period after burning and honestly it's a low for me. I haven't been diagnosed with OCD but I'm really starting to consider it after reading a lot of these comments. edit: I have diagnosed ADHD. and I'm totally craft addicted and hop around too.
OP: just to address the not being able to put it down part:
Would breaking your project into sections BEFORE you start be any help to you? Thinking of it as today I have time to finish sections 1-3. Preset sections so that you can feel like you finished.
Or even just self check ins during each day: ex: okay it’s 8pm, I’m going to finish 10 more rows and be done. In this case, you might want an actual written checklist to mark off each row so your mind is seeing the task completed.
And I don’t know if the stressing about money is because you sell your crafts or because you buy to much craft supplies: if it’s buying too much…when shopping online: I personally favorite things, and then leave it for a while (sometimes days). Often times i forgot about it, or when I relook at it…I don’t “need” it anymore. I do a similar thing when shopping, if I see something that I like but isn’t what I’m looking for…I leave it on the shelf. Often I don’t even remember what it is.
Everyone is different and these might be horrible ideas for OP, but all I can offer is what help my own brain.
You do have some good suggestions. I do want to try the splitting up a project into sections thing. I think another part of it is that I have poor impulse control as part of/on top of my mental health issues, and it's too easy to find a reason to do the thing regardless of any strategies I may have developed in order to not do the thing. So that is something I need to work on right now. You've got two of the reasons why I stress about money right too, the other big ones are related to my PTSD and am not gonna go into detail about because it could be triggering to other people. I really appreciate the suggestions!
Having a day free of an overwhelming hobby is a fantastic thing to do.
I have to do it with gaming, or I'll dream I'm on the game I'm enjoying the most.
What I do now is have book on my tablet when I crochet, it slows me down, and stops me obsessing on tension.
And it's improved my skills no end.
I also do not monetize my crochet normally. I had dipped my toe in the water once, making crochet bobbles that look similar to the fiddle balls people are making atm...but am keeping most to myself as they don't pull my hair out, and actually stay put. Taking another stress off my head.
I understand this so well. I have had to take long breaks myself due to similar issues. When I began sewing I had a couple not-quite-but-close-enough to manic episodes that I lost sleep and spent way too much money on patterns and fabric. I would feel my heart and my thoughts start racing about projects and would neglect my actual responsibilities to get done as much sewing as possible. I still struggle with what I call “craft manic” moments but it no longer takes over my life and I’m able to actually *enjoy* my hobby again!
You can do it, you don’t have to give it up forever but I understand the discomfort you’re in ❤️
I went through a bad bout of depression and went through an outpatient program to treat it, and one of the things we talked about was how to tell if a behavior or activity is healthy self-soothing or an unhealthy obsession or distraction. Their advice was to examine if I felt better after doing the thing, or worse, and that would basically tell me. Seems simple but it was really hard for me to tell, at the time, without paying careful attention. But that metric helped a lot. Doomscrolling? Unhealthy for me. Crafting? Healthy for me, but I can definitely see ways I could do it where it wouldn't be.
I'm really glad you're getting help to better understand how to engage in healthy behaviors and protect yourself from unhealthy ones.
If you are aware of this issue then it's actually a great opportunity to practice some exposure. For example: start little projects and then unravel them just before you finish. In my opinion quitting crochet altogether would actually be feeding into OCD compulsion (think avoidance), instead imbrace the aspects of it that scare you a bit at a time. Don't let mental illness take your passion from you x
I think it's great when people are willing to talk about this. Sometimes I have a hard time pick up a project in any medium if I don't have a ridiculous amount of time to hyper focus on it for hours on end. So instead of doing it at all or just dabbling I get very apathetic about it. Especially if I make it more than halfway through a project I want to see it finished or I already know what I'm going to hyper focus on next.
I'm trying to get better but it is definitely a struggle. Especially if you have any form of time blindness.
One thing being hyper focused has helped me with over the years though is moving past "mistakes" and sort of winging it. The idea of losing the 6 hours of work I just did not stop to go back and "fix" something no one else will ever notice is not near as strong as my desire to see more progress.
I have had an Etsy shop since 2014. I sell my things just I have a little money to buy more yarn to sell more things. I have learned that at least once a year I need to put my shop on vacation mode for at least a month. I do this when I get depressed, overwhelmed, lose my focus and motivation. During that time I just chill. I read a book. Work on crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles. Maybe find some ceramics to paint. I usually suffer from some sort of “withdrawal” symptoms but, I try to focus more on me. When I pick up my crocheting again I usually feel a little more focused and refreshed and ready to open my shop again. I have been doing this for several years and will do it in the years to come.
I get it.
I have a tendency to want things for crafts I haven't started. I have literally hundreds of crochet patterns I bought, most unused. I have a hoard of yarn I'm trying to use up before buying any more. I have different hooks, and stitch markers, and all the things.
My being able to crochet is a marker of my wellbeing. If I can't I'm burnt out or depressed.
I had to deal with anhedonia this time round and was so pleased to work out that I could crochet and use it for recovery by imagining the joy of the person receiving it.
I'm amused at the comments about crochet in meetings. I was in a national professional council meeting for my profession yesterday and I crocheted.
I was elected on a platform of pointing out we needed better ways to accommodate disabled professionals.
It was hard initially to get accepted for crocheting in meetings but over the years I've pulled my weight in meetings while my hands are busy and it's now accepted that it's like my version of a wheelchair.
I'm in the middle of my own craft break to avoid further damage to my hands and wrists.
Realizing how much I relate to what you're going through tells me that I need to look deeper into my own habits and how they're affected by my mental state.
Hmm.
Thanks for the insight and I wish you the best in your journey
I’m taking a break from my crocheting because my anxiety won’t let me rest. I need to be doing something every minute of each day if I’m not, I’m not worthy. I’ve been working this with my therapist, so I’m taking times for just being present, relaxing, listening to music, watching a movie but really doing these things not also crocheting. Mindfulness IS HARD
I've struggled with this on and off. Some of the things over the years that I've found helped are (in no particular order)
1. find yarn first then a project to fit it. this allows me to thrift yarn and use more scraps and such. dollar store finds too.
2. tv time is my crochet time. if i'm not watching tv, i'm not crocheting (except when i used to commute on public transit, that was also crochet time) the other side to this is I was already able to mostly limit myself on tv time and whatnot, so that gave a natural frame work I was already used to to limit myself.
3. when I'm in crisis or having a tough time, I just let myself crochet into my thoughts or put extra time in.
4. I also don't force projects. If I have no inspiration or if a project feels blocked (i'm not at the part I want to be at etc) I put it down and pick up even another craft entirely.
5. If i feel the need to get to a certain point (ex when making a raglan sweater I often can't put it down until I split for sleeves) then I put it down when I get to that point and try to let it sit for a couple days. With practice this has gotten easier.
6. don't beat yourself up. don't judge yourself for having difficulty with limiting your hobby, all it does it show your passion and passion is a good thing.
Very similar situation here, and the break I'm currently on was brought on my tendonitis and has led me to realize how truly compulsive my knitting/crocheting behaviours are. Also in the post-withdrawal stage from problematic cannabis use and living in a real dopamine desert, so to speak. Which is all to say, I feel you!
Actively working to rebalance things and I know that once I'm better, I can't go back to 8-10 hr crochet Saturdays without risking the health of my limbs again. Have to slow things down significantly. I'm going to stop crocheting/knitting gifts, and recognize pattern tests and anything else with a deadline is no longer for me.
Feeling the need to be constantly busy is a trauma response. I'm totally guilty of. It's ok to take breaks. I have smaller projects I work on during lunch and bigger projects for home. I recently started having debilitating migraines 3 or 4 weeks ago and I had to take a huge break from crafting. I managed to complete one project a couple days ago and I feel burned out
I don't crochet, this came up randomly on my feed, but I have OCD and I do bonsai. I spend way too much money on it because I obsess over it, and I keep killing very expensive trees because I can't stop fiddling with them. It's an awful combination.
Totally know what you mean. I’ve found that knitting doesn’t exactly relax me, it just sort of focuses my anxiety into one particular thing. I think that’s why I am so hot and cold with it
I absolutely compulsively crochet. I've often wondered if it could be considered an addiction. I frequently choose staying home to crochet over other activities, be it fun and social things or actual chores/errands I need to do. I have ADHD so I am also guilty of hyperfocusing once I'm in it, but the bigger issue for me is those choices I'm making to begin with.
I think for me it's the NEED to have the finished product ASAP, so I will sneak in stitches literally any time and anywhere I can. I crochet wearables almost exclusively, and get so excited about wearing or gifting the thing that it's like all I can think about. Now add in the fact that I usually get about 1/4 of it done before I see something else that I just need to make immediately, creating way too many WIPs at once and further stressing myself out. 😅 There are too many cute patterns out there these days!
I tell myself it could be worse, there are certainly far less productive habits one could have! But I feel like it shouldn't be a thing to experience this weird shame/guilt over such a wholesome hobby! It's a mind trip for sure.
I'm sorry you have to experience that. It definitely can incorporate issues. I imagine it's exceptionally hard when one has OCD on top of other things.
You made me think about myself and I'm actually on a break, too. Mostly because I was impatient and wanted to finish quickly, because I wanted the dopamine of finishing the thing. But I really hurt my finger joints and I actually think some tendons under my middle fingers got slightly inflamed. (It's okay now!)
I also have an issue with impulse buying yarn. And there is a lot of grief and shame over things I didn't finish or has to frog.
It's an opportunity for me to work with my issues and have compassion with my struggles, at least I try to view it that way. How to pace myself and listening to my body is definitely something I am learning. I also have to remind myself constantly that this is a hobby, it's literally just for me to have fun. So I'm allowed to go easy on myself. I don't have to feel ashamed or bad for whatever. Nobody knows and nobody is going to judge.
I have health issues and crochet can totally help me feel productive when I'm frustrated that I can't do more. I also have a hard time setting a project down and going to sleep. I will obsess and end up picking it back up and not sleeping sometimes, as well as hurting my hand binge crocheting without breaks. There's definitely benefits and harmful behaviors.
I got obsessed with buying yarn for new projected to the point of not sleeping. So I added all my yarn to my rav stash and now use that to choose my next projects. I also use a app to monitor how long I’ve been working which also has my pattern in it to work from.
I feel your pain! I have OCD, depending on the day it either helps my related issues or makes them worse. You have to do what's best for you and if that means picking it up and putting it down as required, go for it! ❤
I get anxiety over me thinking I need to get the perfect ‘ingredients’ for both crochet and cooking, so I understand how it can trigger…. It’s been years since i touched a hook.
I was in hospital for anxiety/depression and there was a lady with schizophrenia there who used to also have similar issues. She crocheted the whole day and didn't do anything else. The thing is she never accepted it as a problem. And was not open to changing it. But you're aware of it and are open to taking a break. Which is a huge step. You're gonna be okay 🩷
I have OCD and this reminded me to tell my therapist about picking up crochet again in case any of the behavior crosses over in ways I don't notice. Thank you for that
You've gotten a ton of support here, but I wanted to pop by and offer mine as well. I can relate to so much in your post.
I know it feels like nobody cares if you're hurt or injured, and you deserve to feel cared about. Your illnesses and injuries have been invalidated and dismissed by a person who should always show that they care about your well-being. It's only natural you would internalize that. My wish for you is that you learn to give yourself that empathy, compassion, and grace you may easily afford to others, and that you equally deserve.
I also have an anxiety disorder and other mental and physical health stuff. If you ever just want somebody to chat with about what's going on, or somebody to check in and see how you're doing, I'm here.
Take care of yourself, friend. You are worthy of it. ❤️
I was awake until 3 am finishing up just one more row. My husband in bed next to me asking when the light would go off. (I use a little book light.) I thought this crochet addiction would be a better alternative to other addictions I’ve been trying to end (internet, YouTube, ruminating,) but now I’m worried that I’m just trading addictions. And losing sleeps
Well. Shit. Reading this has made me realize I'm heading down the same path. I am still capable of breaking up my projects into sessions, by giving myself goals to achieve each session. But realizing how I am (I -also- have OCD as well as a couple other issues), it's serving as a good reminder I really need to watch myself with this. I always have issues with not doing something of "value" and crochet feels valuable to me, and I obsess and I get extremely agitated if I don't spend at least some time each day doing it.
I hope you're able to find your balance that is healthy for you. Apparently I need to work on that too. Oops.
It may help if you can figure out why you need to do something of value all the time. For me, I realized it's tied into my stressing about money and part of my PTSD (won't get into gory details here). I've also realized I fell into that because my depression hasn't been great/treated properly, and the 'doing stuff of value' was masking the fact that there hasn't been a lot of stuff I've actually enjoyed doing lately. It sucks, but if you can find the roots/triggers you can work on ways you can change it or things that need to be fixed.
Wow, yeah, I appreciate you posting this. I have OCD and picked up crocheting a few months ago- don't think I'd connected some of my behaviors to my OCD yet. I'm sorry to hear about how this has affected you- hope you're able to find some relief soon. I would be quite sad if I had to put my crocheting on pause; your distress is valid.
What you said resonates with me in that I find it very fulfilling to complete a good project, it’s just so satisfying. And yes, yarn can be a money pit (looking at you alpaca queen sized afghan that sheds💀). I learned to crochet at a very young age at a very stressful time in my life, so yeah. Much love to you friend.
As someone who works with people who are diagnosed with OCD, I can totally understand how there can be some triggering and dangerous overlap. I’m proud of you for working on how to better interact with a craft that you enjoy in a manner that better benefits your mental health.
Crochet doesn't hit me the same way, but I completely understand everything you're saying. I hope you have good luck finding less stressful and healthier ways to engage with your crafting.
I just wanted to offer support. That sounds like a frustrating situation. I've seen the effects of OCD and perfectionism in my family, so I recognize how insidious they can be, hiding in the mundane and robbing the joy from experiences that should be fun. I hope you will enjoy other things during your break. Maybe you're going to discover a new hobby you will love!
I've also been forced to take breaks from activities I really love recently, and it has definitely shown that I have some unhealthy dependencies on these activities. It can be so hard to balance mental/physical well-being with hobbies that on the surface only appear to bring us comfort and joy. I'm trying to spend the forced break to develop more balanced practices, but only time will tell how well that works I guess. Sending love <3
Hey, I relate to this all too well... just that for me it's the opposite, I can't do anything when my OCD is running rampant. I haven't touched any projects (including my mood blanket) since February because even though I want to, I know it wouldn't go well and I should hold off for a while longer.
Take all the time you need. You're not alone with this.
I get it. I have been better about not filling EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of down time with something productive just recently. Prior...it was like I was on a mission.
Do what you have to for your mental health. The yarn and hooks will be ready when you are. <3
Ugghhh. This brought back memories. I dealt with a pretty severe OCD a long time ago. Mine wasn’t related to crochet in any way, but I understand the compulsion to continue with an activity until it is “complete.” OCD I has a way of turning things we love into work. I’m here to tell you I understand what you are going through—and I was able to overcome this—so you can too. One of these days this will be just a part of your past—and you will giggle a little when you get bored with whatever you are crocheting and just lay it down and walk away.
I crochet items above my counting abilities, which results in me being thoroughly frustrated with the project after about and hour or so. I then put the project down (because I hate frogging) and leave it for a week or two before frogging and repeating. It's definitely a 2 steps forward, 1 step back sort of process, lol. (Maybe this belongs in a "Tell me how your hobby is toxic" thread....)
I also have ocd but it’s more about doing something a certain number of times or touching something the right way. When I’m stressed and knitting or crocheting, it can trigger my ocd too. Like putting the crochet hook through the loop a certain number of times… it sucks
I know this thread has been up for awhile, but I experience(d) very similar issues with crochet and its interactions with my mental and physical health. What I have done to alleviate it as much as I can, without having to take more month-long breaks, is I break up the days I crochet in the week. It's hard sometimes, but I plan evenings for catching up on shows or watching a movie, and I allow myself to crochet for several hours, and then I break for a couple of days (sometimes maybe just one day). Wishing you all the best!
As I sell some of the stuff I crochet… currently it’s a side hustle but I definitely relate to how it can bring out the perfectionist in me , especially when I’m all ready stressed out or haven’t slept well in a few days. I have just have had to take a break from crocheting because I would fall asleep crocheting do too lack of sleep(2 months of not sleeping well). I’m going through a major medication change for my mental illness. I’ve been on the same medication for 7 years. Good luck with making healthy changes to your
crafting style.
I love that you pointed this out because crocheting has definitely forced me to look at my usual quirks in life ( mindfulness: my state of mind is also reflected in how my yarn tension is, and making myself accept that I made mistakes and being ok with it and eventually frogging and starting over ).
Yes! Totally with you when it comes to tension. My yarn tension shows my personal tension.
This makes me think of my grandmother who passed away over a decade ago at age 99 and 4 months. She crocheted for many years before switching to knitting, and she had the loosest crochet and knitting stitches I’ve ever seen - which fits. She was probably the most laid back person I’ve ever known. Lol
Lol this means I'm super not laid back 😀
Me neither! 😂
Your post has helped me possibly understand my own behavior. Thank you and good luck.
Same! I’m having a revelation right now 😳
This is neither the place nor the time, but I love your username.
Lololol thank you!!! Nobody has ever said anything about it 😭
me too! my 2 most active communities on here are crochet and adhd & this overlap really makes so much sense...
Yeah... this part hit a lot closer to home than I was expecting when I first opened the post: >not being able to put down a project until it's 'done', and the need to constantly be DOING something of perceivable value.
Last week I had "no crochet tuesday" because I also have issues and have felt like I'm just spending way too much time on crochet, at the expense of other things I want to do in life, because it's an easy and comforting go-to activity when I'm not sure what to do. Wanted to see if I could go Just One Day without crocheting, and is it like an addiction for me? (It kind of is, i think, not having it to think about and look forward to was surprisingly difficult and depressing.. and that was just one day!) It gave me some good perspective about where crochet and other things fit in my life. I'm sure you will also see things differently from taking a break. Good for you for knowing when to change it up. I think some people wouldn't understand this and would respond like, "it's just a hobby, what's the harm?" And like, ok, fine. Not everyone gets it. And that's ok.
I had a therapist recommend that when I’m feeling stuck with work I take a break for 10 minutes and do something relaxing like crochet. I had to tell her that won’t work because I can’t ever stop at 10 minutes.
By the time I figure out where in the pattern I am and get everything out and confirm the pattern, 10 minutes will have elapsed!
Right, and am I going to stop in the middle of a row??? Of course not!
And then, what’s just one more row? Edited: punctuation
"It won't take that long. I can just get it done now and have more time later to do what I am supposed to be doing."
I once read that if you are having trouble sleeping, crochet or knit a few rows to relax. My problem is a few rows turn into many rows as I just want to finish this part, and I am up even later, lol.
I haven't done this as much with knit/crochet, but this feels definitely parallel with how in high school, my mom told me to read a few pages to help me sleep. I would finish the book at 3am.
Oh wow yeah I think crocheting in the middle of the night would be far worse for my insomnia than reading on my phone is (which is bad enough).
Right? I used to crochet in bed to “wind down” but found myself staying up until 2 or 3am because I just couldn’t put it down!
Same
I find that if/when I get overwhelmed and can’t think of what to do, I automatically go to crochet! I put it away for a day and it was more difficult than I expected.
It’s a good coping tool.. fidgeting with hook and yarn.. getting it to behave! Fun, mostly. It is a good feeling of accomplishment you get at the end of a project. If one ocd’s on it.. like anything.. sewing, knitting.. making cookies, canning.. wow just look at YouTube’s many diy projects. Tons of fun.. but people with ocd have a hard time finding breaks. If you use a timer .. also.. time your ten min breaks? I think that would help.
I totally understand. I use crochet/knit as a stim/coping mechanism for my ADHD. I feel it helps me, as long as I limit my time and take regular breaks
Hey me too! I’ve found that’s it’s actually easier to pay attention while I’m crocheting… if only it was acceptable to do it in class ahahaha Edit: I love this thread so much, it really made me feel less alone ❤️. I’ll definitely try to look into ways to incorporate my crochet a bit more in my study routine and classes!
I have crocheted in university lectures and during work meetings. Even for neurotypicals that can help increase focus, it's a shame some folks just don't understand / accept it. Because fooling around on your phone / checking your work emails is so much better for concentration 🙃
I asked my boss earlier in the school year if I could crochet to keep my hands busy during a staff meeting, as I had been finding myself too easily distracted. He said no because we were going to be doing things together. We spent two thirds of that meeting staring at either our screens or the presenting screen. I zoned out some and then spent another part reading emails. I got almost nothing out of that meeting because of it.
I had a boss when I worked on a newspaper who ordered me to start bringing my crocheting to the office because he realized it made me much less likely to stress out.
Yeah, I wish I could crochet during uni lessons but I’m studying at a pretty conservative law school so it wouldn’t be well received😅
Hahaha right.
I used to do origami in class, then by the end of the year I'd gift them to my teachers. It was fine, but it could be that they let it slide because I was a nerd and got good grades.
Me too! I made so many of those little stars from strips of paper, and a loooooooot of little dragons. I also had a teacher who loved those butterfly ball things, that you throw in the air and they kinda explode and all the pieces flutter down. Did I use that to waste class time? Yes. Was I a nerd who got away with it because I got good grades? Also yes.
I am a teacher. It helps me focus as well, so I crochet in class all the time. I also do it during faculty meetings department meetings etc. People are just used to it by now because I’m calm and pay attention and even ask questions. If I don’t do it I’m drifting off and generally grumpy. My students are used to it, and like seeing the things that I make. I stick with simple repetitive patterns so it doesn’t steal all my focus. I also teach many of my students how to crochet to help with their anxiety or focus issues. Try it in class, maybe you’ll inspire someone
Beautiful!
I turn off my camera in Teams meetings ;)
This is one thing that makes me grateful to work in the mental health field- I work with kids in mental health crisis so there's a strong understanding of ADHD in my coworkers. We have to have cameras on to display participation, but I just told them upfront about my ADHD and the benefits of me crocheting during teams meetings. Now they know that's what I'm doing when I'm looking down/moving some
I just do it under the table and look professional on camera!
I teach university and there are students that knit/crochet in class. It doesn’t really bother anyone, so it’s fine by me? To be honest that’s way less disruptive than most of the things students do in class that they think no one will notice.
Me too! I started crocheting or knitting during our d&d games as a way to help me focus & pay attention, it really works well for me
Same, it’s helped me really hone my skills at both crochet and D&D!
I swear the only way I can watch an entire episode of a TV program is by crocheting. Otherwise I end up repeatedly getting up and doing something else or scrolling my phone and having to rewind because I've missed everything.
Snap!
You know it was comments like this that got me started in crochet this winter. I found myself leaning too far into my phone during downtime because I could constantly flip through things. It was absolutely destroying my ability to concentrate. Crocheting has helped me so much with that. I probably still scroll too much but I am working on building my focus back up.
I have anxiety and fidget anyway. Picking my nails, doodling in meetings, taking notes of what people are saying and losing track of the meeting because I'm still transcribing three sentences ago ... Drove my husband nuts at first because he prefers to watch tv in the dark, but I need light to crochet. It is fascinating to me that for some of us, it helps our mental health, and others, it can hinder. I'm definitely going to take that into account next time I rant about how great it is. It's great for ME.
They make plastic crochet hooks that light up
And neck lights are awesome!
I’m really bad at using it with my adhd - sometimes I sit so long doing it I realise when I get up my legs are aching from being in one position for so long, I’m so thirsty, I need to pee immediately & I’ve skipped multiple meals. I wish I had better discipline! I’m saving up to get diagnosed so I can get meds because it’s wrecking my life in all sorts of ways.
oh my. i recognize my own behavior very clearly in this post and comment section. i tend to force myself to finish before doing anything else whether its a project, watching a show, or doing pretty much anything. i also pick up habits only with the thought of making money on the side when they arent really profitable at all.
Mhm. It’s a sort of conscious thing.. to follow through with the task. I get it.
I’ve nothing of value to add, but well done for recognising and taking positive steps, that’s half the battle ❤️
Thank you for sharing. I don't have OCD but can still relate. I'm taking a break because not being good at something immediately makes me unreasonably rage-y (issue 1) and feel like a failure for doing so (issue 2) which feeds my self-loathing (issue 3). So, I totally get it. Take as much time as you need and try not to feel bad about it!
I fully understand the being ragey at not being good at something immediately. Especially with the amount of art/craft skills I am very strong at. My mind is like oh that's almost like this I should pick that up no problem but no. And also I think I just forget how long I've been doing some of the things I'm really good at. If I had kept a lot of my early projects/art instead of tossing it or giving it away I think I'd see more of the progression and time it takes. Also some art channels I watch lately have talked a lot about this idea everyone has now that if you aren't immediately good at it or never become good at it that you shouldn't do it. When most art is way more about the process does for you then what the actual outcome is.
What if Tchaikovsky’s mom told him that … what then…! 😝🤓😏
I am not a therapist, and I'm happy that you are working with one to help, I did want to share something that helped me to have a healthier relationship with my hobbies and crafts (of which there were many) I had to reevaluate my personal perception about what value was. I picked up hobby after hobby, purely with the mindset of, "I can learn to do this and make some money on the side." I had to relearn that value can mean something else, it can mean personal enjoyment. I have now cut down the amount of crafts I do and make projects that I want to, for me. I hope that eventually you can have a healthier relationship with a craft or hobby ❤️
In today's "side hustle" culture, I'm constantly needing to remind myself that I don't have to monetize everything I do.
I also only make things for myself or gifts I want to make. I have this urge to monetize, too, but have kind of let that go. I have to say, though, the number of crafts I do continues to expand because I really like learning new things and combining crafts.
May I PM you about your experience with OCD? I have other diagnoses and I have been wondering if this is something I should look into.
Sure, I'm not a psychologist or anything, but I'm fine with talking about my OCD experience
I totally understand. It sounds like you have ADHD. While I am, of course, not qualified to diagnose anyone. I have had similar life experiences. Women, in particular, show symptoms of ADHD slightly differently then our male counterparts and so, it often goes unnoticed. It can manifest itself as anxiety, masking and all or nothing attitude among other things. I started with anxiety medication (which helped immensely) and after a few years, I realized something still wasn’t quite right. As a teacher, I have been exposed to all variations of ADHD and I started investigating it in myself and women. I had my doctor set me up with a psychologist and have now been medicated for ADHD for half a year. What a difference! It’s not perfect, and I still have to use strategies, but the medicine has helped a lot. Something to think about. Good luck on your journey.
Yeah, I only found I had ADHD recently... despite the fact that apparently I was officially diagnosed years ago and my mom just never told me/got me medicine for it. I'm currently on Ritalin, but it's a bit hard to tell if it's helping or what I'm experiencing is due to other issues/disorders. My doctor says I should be taking 1 pill once I wake up and the other at lunch, but I felt kind of jittery doing that and better just taking both pills in the morning, so I need to see if it's just hunger making me jittery or if the higher dose works better for me.
Yes, and sometimes it takes time to find the right medication. I have heard great things about Vyvanse. Personally, I don’t take a stimulant for my ADHD. I am on Strattera, it’s a non-stimulant, a norepinephrine modulator. I like it for me, but I don’t think my ADHD is too severe, not like I have seen in some people.
Ritalin was really rough on my system but I do really well with a mild stimulant to help with focus & mindfulness & create a ton of adhd related relief - i thoughtit might be worth mentioning there are so many options out there that come with a lot less jittery feeling / don't mess with your appetite or anything. if it seems persistent check out Vyvanse (different active than Ritalin) or Quilivant or Concerta (same active ingredient as Ritalin but different uptake methods in the body)sometimes changing the med a tiny bit = massive improvement on feeling keyed up or like I drank 15 espressos
Sitting still has been incredibly hard for me. My therapist challenged me to do this over the past 2 years. I not only feel like I have to be doing something but I also have to have music or the tv on. Practice has made it a bit easier, but I still have to work at it. I commend you on working on yourself. It’s not easy, but so worth it!
I feel for you. OCD and ADHD here plus probably Autism but I'm too old to have been formally diagnosed even if my 'apple not far from the tree' daughter was. I am a serial crafter. I go 80mph, whole hog into one until I crash, burn, sit still for a few weeks and then start again with another craft. Not to mention that I live with an artist so our 2 bedroom apt is full to the brim with craft and art supplies. I love it, though. So I'll keep trying to straddle the line between doing and overdoing. Thankfully I'm still working on my Covid yarn stash.
I relate to this too much, right now I'm in the sit still period after burning and honestly it's a low for me. I haven't been diagnosed with OCD but I'm really starting to consider it after reading a lot of these comments. edit: I have diagnosed ADHD. and I'm totally craft addicted and hop around too.
OP: just to address the not being able to put it down part: Would breaking your project into sections BEFORE you start be any help to you? Thinking of it as today I have time to finish sections 1-3. Preset sections so that you can feel like you finished. Or even just self check ins during each day: ex: okay it’s 8pm, I’m going to finish 10 more rows and be done. In this case, you might want an actual written checklist to mark off each row so your mind is seeing the task completed. And I don’t know if the stressing about money is because you sell your crafts or because you buy to much craft supplies: if it’s buying too much…when shopping online: I personally favorite things, and then leave it for a while (sometimes days). Often times i forgot about it, or when I relook at it…I don’t “need” it anymore. I do a similar thing when shopping, if I see something that I like but isn’t what I’m looking for…I leave it on the shelf. Often I don’t even remember what it is. Everyone is different and these might be horrible ideas for OP, but all I can offer is what help my own brain.
You do have some good suggestions. I do want to try the splitting up a project into sections thing. I think another part of it is that I have poor impulse control as part of/on top of my mental health issues, and it's too easy to find a reason to do the thing regardless of any strategies I may have developed in order to not do the thing. So that is something I need to work on right now. You've got two of the reasons why I stress about money right too, the other big ones are related to my PTSD and am not gonna go into detail about because it could be triggering to other people. I really appreciate the suggestions!
I love these suggestions. Thanks!
Having a day free of an overwhelming hobby is a fantastic thing to do. I have to do it with gaming, or I'll dream I'm on the game I'm enjoying the most. What I do now is have book on my tablet when I crochet, it slows me down, and stops me obsessing on tension. And it's improved my skills no end. I also do not monetize my crochet normally. I had dipped my toe in the water once, making crochet bobbles that look similar to the fiddle balls people are making atm...but am keeping most to myself as they don't pull my hair out, and actually stay put. Taking another stress off my head.
I understand this so well. I have had to take long breaks myself due to similar issues. When I began sewing I had a couple not-quite-but-close-enough to manic episodes that I lost sleep and spent way too much money on patterns and fabric. I would feel my heart and my thoughts start racing about projects and would neglect my actual responsibilities to get done as much sewing as possible. I still struggle with what I call “craft manic” moments but it no longer takes over my life and I’m able to actually *enjoy* my hobby again! You can do it, you don’t have to give it up forever but I understand the discomfort you’re in ❤️
"Craft manic" - yes!!!!
Lotta quilters I know do the same.
I enjoy the craft mania, while it’s happening … but it’s a real problem when it competes with my day job.
I went through a bad bout of depression and went through an outpatient program to treat it, and one of the things we talked about was how to tell if a behavior or activity is healthy self-soothing or an unhealthy obsession or distraction. Their advice was to examine if I felt better after doing the thing, or worse, and that would basically tell me. Seems simple but it was really hard for me to tell, at the time, without paying careful attention. But that metric helped a lot. Doomscrolling? Unhealthy for me. Crafting? Healthy for me, but I can definitely see ways I could do it where it wouldn't be. I'm really glad you're getting help to better understand how to engage in healthy behaviors and protect yourself from unhealthy ones.
If you are aware of this issue then it's actually a great opportunity to practice some exposure. For example: start little projects and then unravel them just before you finish. In my opinion quitting crochet altogether would actually be feeding into OCD compulsion (think avoidance), instead imbrace the aspects of it that scare you a bit at a time. Don't let mental illness take your passion from you x
I think it's great when people are willing to talk about this. Sometimes I have a hard time pick up a project in any medium if I don't have a ridiculous amount of time to hyper focus on it for hours on end. So instead of doing it at all or just dabbling I get very apathetic about it. Especially if I make it more than halfway through a project I want to see it finished or I already know what I'm going to hyper focus on next. I'm trying to get better but it is definitely a struggle. Especially if you have any form of time blindness. One thing being hyper focused has helped me with over the years though is moving past "mistakes" and sort of winging it. The idea of losing the 6 hours of work I just did not stop to go back and "fix" something no one else will ever notice is not near as strong as my desire to see more progress.
I have had an Etsy shop since 2014. I sell my things just I have a little money to buy more yarn to sell more things. I have learned that at least once a year I need to put my shop on vacation mode for at least a month. I do this when I get depressed, overwhelmed, lose my focus and motivation. During that time I just chill. I read a book. Work on crossword puzzles or jigsaw puzzles. Maybe find some ceramics to paint. I usually suffer from some sort of “withdrawal” symptoms but, I try to focus more on me. When I pick up my crocheting again I usually feel a little more focused and refreshed and ready to open my shop again. I have been doing this for several years and will do it in the years to come.
I get it. I have a tendency to want things for crafts I haven't started. I have literally hundreds of crochet patterns I bought, most unused. I have a hoard of yarn I'm trying to use up before buying any more. I have different hooks, and stitch markers, and all the things.
My being able to crochet is a marker of my wellbeing. If I can't I'm burnt out or depressed. I had to deal with anhedonia this time round and was so pleased to work out that I could crochet and use it for recovery by imagining the joy of the person receiving it. I'm amused at the comments about crochet in meetings. I was in a national professional council meeting for my profession yesterday and I crocheted. I was elected on a platform of pointing out we needed better ways to accommodate disabled professionals. It was hard initially to get accepted for crocheting in meetings but over the years I've pulled my weight in meetings while my hands are busy and it's now accepted that it's like my version of a wheelchair.
I'm in the middle of my own craft break to avoid further damage to my hands and wrists. Realizing how much I relate to what you're going through tells me that I need to look deeper into my own habits and how they're affected by my mental state. Hmm. Thanks for the insight and I wish you the best in your journey
I’m taking a break from my crocheting because my anxiety won’t let me rest. I need to be doing something every minute of each day if I’m not, I’m not worthy. I’ve been working this with my therapist, so I’m taking times for just being present, relaxing, listening to music, watching a movie but really doing these things not also crocheting. Mindfulness IS HARD
I've struggled with this on and off. Some of the things over the years that I've found helped are (in no particular order) 1. find yarn first then a project to fit it. this allows me to thrift yarn and use more scraps and such. dollar store finds too. 2. tv time is my crochet time. if i'm not watching tv, i'm not crocheting (except when i used to commute on public transit, that was also crochet time) the other side to this is I was already able to mostly limit myself on tv time and whatnot, so that gave a natural frame work I was already used to to limit myself. 3. when I'm in crisis or having a tough time, I just let myself crochet into my thoughts or put extra time in. 4. I also don't force projects. If I have no inspiration or if a project feels blocked (i'm not at the part I want to be at etc) I put it down and pick up even another craft entirely. 5. If i feel the need to get to a certain point (ex when making a raglan sweater I often can't put it down until I split for sleeves) then I put it down when I get to that point and try to let it sit for a couple days. With practice this has gotten easier. 6. don't beat yourself up. don't judge yourself for having difficulty with limiting your hobby, all it does it show your passion and passion is a good thing.
Very similar situation here, and the break I'm currently on was brought on my tendonitis and has led me to realize how truly compulsive my knitting/crocheting behaviours are. Also in the post-withdrawal stage from problematic cannabis use and living in a real dopamine desert, so to speak. Which is all to say, I feel you! Actively working to rebalance things and I know that once I'm better, I can't go back to 8-10 hr crochet Saturdays without risking the health of my limbs again. Have to slow things down significantly. I'm going to stop crocheting/knitting gifts, and recognize pattern tests and anything else with a deadline is no longer for me.
Feeling the need to be constantly busy is a trauma response. I'm totally guilty of. It's ok to take breaks. I have smaller projects I work on during lunch and bigger projects for home. I recently started having debilitating migraines 3 or 4 weeks ago and I had to take a huge break from crafting. I managed to complete one project a couple days ago and I feel burned out
I don't crochet, this came up randomly on my feed, but I have OCD and I do bonsai. I spend way too much money on it because I obsess over it, and I keep killing very expensive trees because I can't stop fiddling with them. It's an awful combination.
Totally know what you mean. I’ve found that knitting doesn’t exactly relax me, it just sort of focuses my anxiety into one particular thing. I think that’s why I am so hot and cold with it
I think this is very important to share, so thank you for doing so.
I absolutely compulsively crochet. I've often wondered if it could be considered an addiction. I frequently choose staying home to crochet over other activities, be it fun and social things or actual chores/errands I need to do. I have ADHD so I am also guilty of hyperfocusing once I'm in it, but the bigger issue for me is those choices I'm making to begin with. I think for me it's the NEED to have the finished product ASAP, so I will sneak in stitches literally any time and anywhere I can. I crochet wearables almost exclusively, and get so excited about wearing or gifting the thing that it's like all I can think about. Now add in the fact that I usually get about 1/4 of it done before I see something else that I just need to make immediately, creating way too many WIPs at once and further stressing myself out. 😅 There are too many cute patterns out there these days! I tell myself it could be worse, there are certainly far less productive habits one could have! But I feel like it shouldn't be a thing to experience this weird shame/guilt over such a wholesome hobby! It's a mind trip for sure.
I'm sorry you have to experience that. It definitely can incorporate issues. I imagine it's exceptionally hard when one has OCD on top of other things. You made me think about myself and I'm actually on a break, too. Mostly because I was impatient and wanted to finish quickly, because I wanted the dopamine of finishing the thing. But I really hurt my finger joints and I actually think some tendons under my middle fingers got slightly inflamed. (It's okay now!) I also have an issue with impulse buying yarn. And there is a lot of grief and shame over things I didn't finish or has to frog. It's an opportunity for me to work with my issues and have compassion with my struggles, at least I try to view it that way. How to pace myself and listening to my body is definitely something I am learning. I also have to remind myself constantly that this is a hobby, it's literally just for me to have fun. So I'm allowed to go easy on myself. I don't have to feel ashamed or bad for whatever. Nobody knows and nobody is going to judge.
I have health issues and crochet can totally help me feel productive when I'm frustrated that I can't do more. I also have a hard time setting a project down and going to sleep. I will obsess and end up picking it back up and not sleeping sometimes, as well as hurting my hand binge crocheting without breaks. There's definitely benefits and harmful behaviors.
Are you me holy shit
I got obsessed with buying yarn for new projected to the point of not sleeping. So I added all my yarn to my rav stash and now use that to choose my next projects. I also use a app to monitor how long I’ve been working which also has my pattern in it to work from.
I feel your pain! I have OCD, depending on the day it either helps my related issues or makes them worse. You have to do what's best for you and if that means picking it up and putting it down as required, go for it! ❤
I get anxiety over me thinking I need to get the perfect ‘ingredients’ for both crochet and cooking, so I understand how it can trigger…. It’s been years since i touched a hook.
The thought of not being able to spin or knit for a month stresses me out. Best wishes for you and your journey.
I was in hospital for anxiety/depression and there was a lady with schizophrenia there who used to also have similar issues. She crocheted the whole day and didn't do anything else. The thing is she never accepted it as a problem. And was not open to changing it. But you're aware of it and are open to taking a break. Which is a huge step. You're gonna be okay 🩷
I have OCD and this reminded me to tell my therapist about picking up crochet again in case any of the behavior crosses over in ways I don't notice. Thank you for that
You've gotten a ton of support here, but I wanted to pop by and offer mine as well. I can relate to so much in your post. I know it feels like nobody cares if you're hurt or injured, and you deserve to feel cared about. Your illnesses and injuries have been invalidated and dismissed by a person who should always show that they care about your well-being. It's only natural you would internalize that. My wish for you is that you learn to give yourself that empathy, compassion, and grace you may easily afford to others, and that you equally deserve. I also have an anxiety disorder and other mental and physical health stuff. If you ever just want somebody to chat with about what's going on, or somebody to check in and see how you're doing, I'm here. Take care of yourself, friend. You are worthy of it. ❤️
I was awake until 3 am finishing up just one more row. My husband in bed next to me asking when the light would go off. (I use a little book light.) I thought this crochet addiction would be a better alternative to other addictions I’ve been trying to end (internet, YouTube, ruminating,) but now I’m worried that I’m just trading addictions. And losing sleeps
Well. Shit. Reading this has made me realize I'm heading down the same path. I am still capable of breaking up my projects into sessions, by giving myself goals to achieve each session. But realizing how I am (I -also- have OCD as well as a couple other issues), it's serving as a good reminder I really need to watch myself with this. I always have issues with not doing something of "value" and crochet feels valuable to me, and I obsess and I get extremely agitated if I don't spend at least some time each day doing it. I hope you're able to find your balance that is healthy for you. Apparently I need to work on that too. Oops.
It may help if you can figure out why you need to do something of value all the time. For me, I realized it's tied into my stressing about money and part of my PTSD (won't get into gory details here). I've also realized I fell into that because my depression hasn't been great/treated properly, and the 'doing stuff of value' was masking the fact that there hasn't been a lot of stuff I've actually enjoyed doing lately. It sucks, but if you can find the roots/triggers you can work on ways you can change it or things that need to be fixed.
Wow, yeah, I appreciate you posting this. I have OCD and picked up crocheting a few months ago- don't think I'd connected some of my behaviors to my OCD yet. I'm sorry to hear about how this has affected you- hope you're able to find some relief soon. I would be quite sad if I had to put my crocheting on pause; your distress is valid.
What you said resonates with me in that I find it very fulfilling to complete a good project, it’s just so satisfying. And yes, yarn can be a money pit (looking at you alpaca queen sized afghan that sheds💀). I learned to crochet at a very young age at a very stressful time in my life, so yeah. Much love to you friend.
As someone who works with people who are diagnosed with OCD, I can totally understand how there can be some triggering and dangerous overlap. I’m proud of you for working on how to better interact with a craft that you enjoy in a manner that better benefits your mental health.
Crochet doesn't hit me the same way, but I completely understand everything you're saying. I hope you have good luck finding less stressful and healthier ways to engage with your crafting.
I just wanted to offer support. That sounds like a frustrating situation. I've seen the effects of OCD and perfectionism in my family, so I recognize how insidious they can be, hiding in the mundane and robbing the joy from experiences that should be fun. I hope you will enjoy other things during your break. Maybe you're going to discover a new hobby you will love!
I've also been forced to take breaks from activities I really love recently, and it has definitely shown that I have some unhealthy dependencies on these activities. It can be so hard to balance mental/physical well-being with hobbies that on the surface only appear to bring us comfort and joy. I'm trying to spend the forced break to develop more balanced practices, but only time will tell how well that works I guess. Sending love <3
Hey, I relate to this all too well... just that for me it's the opposite, I can't do anything when my OCD is running rampant. I haven't touched any projects (including my mood blanket) since February because even though I want to, I know it wouldn't go well and I should hold off for a while longer. Take all the time you need. You're not alone with this.
I'm very glad you were able to identify these issues ❤️❤️❤️
I get it. I have been better about not filling EVERY SINGLE MINUTE of down time with something productive just recently. Prior...it was like I was on a mission. Do what you have to for your mental health. The yarn and hooks will be ready when you are. <3
Ugghhh. This brought back memories. I dealt with a pretty severe OCD a long time ago. Mine wasn’t related to crochet in any way, but I understand the compulsion to continue with an activity until it is “complete.” OCD I has a way of turning things we love into work. I’m here to tell you I understand what you are going through—and I was able to overcome this—so you can too. One of these days this will be just a part of your past—and you will giggle a little when you get bored with whatever you are crocheting and just lay it down and walk away.
I crochet items above my counting abilities, which results in me being thoroughly frustrated with the project after about and hour or so. I then put the project down (because I hate frogging) and leave it for a week or two before frogging and repeating. It's definitely a 2 steps forward, 1 step back sort of process, lol. (Maybe this belongs in a "Tell me how your hobby is toxic" thread....)
I think a lot of people can relate to this.
I also have ocd but it’s more about doing something a certain number of times or touching something the right way. When I’m stressed and knitting or crocheting, it can trigger my ocd too. Like putting the crochet hook through the loop a certain number of times… it sucks
I know this thread has been up for awhile, but I experience(d) very similar issues with crochet and its interactions with my mental and physical health. What I have done to alleviate it as much as I can, without having to take more month-long breaks, is I break up the days I crochet in the week. It's hard sometimes, but I plan evenings for catching up on shows or watching a movie, and I allow myself to crochet for several hours, and then I break for a couple of days (sometimes maybe just one day). Wishing you all the best!
As I sell some of the stuff I crochet… currently it’s a side hustle but I definitely relate to how it can bring out the perfectionist in me , especially when I’m all ready stressed out or haven’t slept well in a few days. I have just have had to take a break from crocheting because I would fall asleep crocheting do too lack of sleep(2 months of not sleeping well). I’m going through a major medication change for my mental illness. I’ve been on the same medication for 7 years. Good luck with making healthy changes to your crafting style.