Name: Alex
Age: 26 years old
Country: Sweden
Instagram: @alex.lrn
About the series
The Healing Craft Series features creators sharing their thoughts and feelings on crafting and healing through crafting.
“[…] crafting is extremely therapeutic. It helps me calm my mind and send me into an almost meditative state“
Alex, @alex.lrn
What kind of craft do you do and how long have you been doing it for?
I crochet and knit. I’ve known how to since I was a kid but it wasn’t until a couple of years ago that I took it up ’for real’ and started creating clothes for myself.
What is your favourite place/time of day to craft and why?
I can crochet/knit pretty much anywhere, anytime of the day. I love sitting on my sofa and binge watch shows whilst creating just as much as I love sitting on the tram or at a café.
What inspires you (in life & in crafting)?
Other women, music, emotions and seasons changing. That short period between summer and autumn is beautiful.
How has/is crafting helping you and your mental health?
I have struggled with anxiety for years. Sometimes my mind races through a million thoughts at once and it makes me exhausted but crafting is extremely therapeutic. It helps me calm my mind and send me into an almost meditative state. Working with my hands is a wonderful way of disconnecting from stress and anxiety.
What is your advice to other creators (or newly started creators)?
Don’t be afraid of starting over. Don’t strive for perfection. Create for yourself and yourself only. Don’t compare your work with someone else. Instagram is an amazing source of inspiration but it can also be toxic when you start to compare your work with other crafters.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Don’t forget to take a break and breathe!