Today's Happenings

How To Fit Crafting into Everyday Life

Now that we are slowly getting back into our normal lives, things are starting to get pretty busy again - already I am being set science tests, language quizzes and lots of homework. Fortunately, I don't mind too much because I like to have things to do, but it does make me wonder, how do we even get time to craft with everything that goes on in our busy lives? For me, crafting is really important as it helps me to wind down after a long day or prepare me for the beginning of one, but I haven't had a chance to do a lot lately. Are any of you feeling the same way? Recently, I have started thinking about ways to work crafting back into my life, and I thought I would share a few of these with you.

1: Have Smaller Projects

When you're in a rush, working on a huge jumper  or an adult-size blanket isn't always a good idea. Whilst it is rewarding to finish a big project, it can be hard to get into one when you have a lot on your mind. I have to admit, the knitting and crochet projects that I have on the go at the moment are not doing me many favours when it comes to this, but once I have finished them, I plan on making some smaller things out of the wool I showed you last week. I'm not sure what though - do leave a comment if you have any ideas!

Even simpler still, I have been doing a fair bit of scrapbooking and collage. At the moment, I'm working on a happiness book, which I'm really enjoying because I can pick it up and add stuff to it whenever I like. Mine is pretty cheesy - it is almost all rainbow stuff, memes and inspirational quotes - but working on it or even just flicking through it lifts my spirits without making me feel guilty for taking a break.

2: Work Crafting into Your Routine

Whilst some kinds of craft can take a while, not all of them have to be this way; in fact, it is much easier to work a bit of craft time into your day than you would think. Think through your day: your morning routine, work/school, your evening routine and everything in between. Whilst it may be pretty choc-a-block, there are probably some points in your day where you don't have quite as much going on. I can think of three main ones in my life: when I'm travelling, after dinner and just before bed. Those may only be ten minute gaps on some days, but ten minutes is plenty of time to do a few rounds on a sock, colour in a few sections on a mindfulness colouring book or to sew up a few seams on a sewing project. Today, I finished one of the fronts of the cardigan that I am working on and plan on casting on the back later tonight!

3: Crafting With Friends

Now, this probably isn't something I would recommend doing every day but, once in a while, perhaps it would be good to meet up with someone (most likely virtually at the moment!) and craft with them. Not only will you have a set time planned for crafting and a commitment to make, but doing your hobby with a like-minded friend could make the experience even more enjoyable and beneficial. 

4. Turn Work into Craft

This one is much more aimed at students, particularly those in secondary school. Do any of you get set tasks that are quite ambiguously worded, such as "revise" or "display what you have learned in today's lesson in a format of your choice?" I know I certainly do! When I started secondary school, I often had no idea what to do when asked to revise, but now I have found the perfect way - through the medium of craft. Take mind maps. Teachers seem to love mind maps and I completely get why: they are such a simple and fun way to display everything you have learnt, and summarising information in this way can really help it to sink it. Alternatively, you can use them to organise your day, your feelings and so much more. Mind maps can be whatever you want them to be, whether that is a simple spider diagram or something that looks a bit more like an art project, thrown together with photos, fun stationary and lots of love. Here is one I have made for my upcoming biology test.

There really are so many ways to fit crafting into your everyday life, whether that is through finding small projects, using your time wisely or even using craft as a tool to help you in your busy life. That's all from me for now, but until next time, happy crafting!

Caiti