Occupying My Hands To Distract My Mind

[Mim28]

I've been all over the place emotionally lately. I decided to pull out some old yarn and practices the knitting stiches I've learned long ago. I'm not very good at it as I always lose patience, but right now I just want to do something with my hands. Something repetitive that takes my focus off my mind and onto what my hands are doing.
I don't even care if the stitches are perfect. I just want the repetitive motion. Maybe it will turn into something and maybe it won't.
Today I don't care. Its something different.

 

[loui50]

I've been all over the place emotionally lately. I decided to pull out some old yarn and practices the k...

Mim, that's what i thought with my cross stitch!! i am going to pull it back out tomorrow.

 

[Teddy Bear]

I've been all over the place emotionally lately. I decided to pull out some old yarn and practices the k...

I have done this countless times. It does help to do something with your hands be it knitting, crocheting, drawing, or even cooking; as long as you are focusing on what your hands are doing and getting out of that negative head space. From my own personal experience it helps to switch it up. I will knit for a little bit and after a couple times I will change to crocheting. I even took up loom knitting and started making beanies. You got this!

 

[BoN-bOn]

@Mim28 , I've been thinking I really need to take up something that would keep my hands busy. I pick at my fingers constantly...until they bleed. Nervous habit since I was a child. My fingers look so bad, it's embarrassing! My thumbs are the worst & I hide them all the time. I HATE when someone asks, "What did you do to your finger?" :nailbiting: :facepalm:

 

[Mim28]

BoN-bOn, knitting or crocheting might be very good for you! it takes a lot of concentration and will occupy your mind. It doesn't have to be perfect, just repetitive.
I hope you enjoy!

 

[BoN-bOn]

Thanks @Mim28 I have no clue who can teach me how to do that though!!

 

[Mim28]

YouTube is a great teacher. You just need to learn to cast on and learn one or two stitches. that's it. You can knit a long scarf and nothing else.....

 

[Panda Bear]

I'm working on a few quilt projects. Some days I get a lot done and others, it sits for a few days.

But it's really improved my mood and kept me motivated, since they are holiday quilts.

 

[Ahhlia]

To keep my mind from repeating unwanted thoughts I have used Knitting or Creating Spreadsheets and do research. Keeps my mind busy with facts like a spreadsheet of best coastal cities in Oregon. What is the best Energy bar.... My boyfriend tells me he never seen anyone so into Excel spreadsheets like I am. Now I am working on a big one of all the Linked In contacts I have (I have over 2K contacts and growing).
When I knit, (I have knitted checkered blankets by knitting squares and then sew them together) sometimes it does not get rid of the thoughts. That is when I realized that doing Excel spreadsheets with research is I am not thinking of those ruminations instead the mind is thinking of the research and entering the info on the spreadsheets with 10 or more columns.
I am now taking an online class to learn to transfer the info to Access. The mind is absorbing too much but it does keep it busy with something else.

 

[Mim28]

To keep my mind from repeating unwanted thoughts I have used Knitting or Creating Spreadsheets and do re...

I love spreadsheets!!!!!!!

 

[Silver.]

@BoN-bOn I actually do that too *embarrassed*

@Mim28 I think it's great that you do that. I find when I am doing things with my hands that I totally blank out on everything else, it seriously helps so much, and you get to do a bit of "arting" in the meantime. I am glad that you have found something to do to keep you busy.
I think it would be nice if you were able to share one of your projects with us, would be good encouragement o. O
x

 

[EmmaOwl]

I pick at my fingers constantly...until they bleed. Nervous habit

@BoN-bOn I actually do that too *embarrassed*

Me too. I try to remember it is not as bad as actual cutting or other types of self-harm. Still embarrassing. And still not all that healthy, either, but.... what to do?

I took a knitting class and was still not able to knit at the end of it. I'm so bad at crafty stuff. So I try coloring books instead. I dunno. I get by, I guess, but it's not easy.