So this week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and I felt compelled to write a blog about this, because my need to improve my mental well being is what birthed this business. My question in the header is 'Can creative arts improve your mental health?' and I shall answer this immediately as I believe it's a big YES. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was overcome with all kinds of anxiety. I couldn't focus or relax and my frame of mind was not great. I began nesting as you do, but it wasn't enjoyable. I could feel my emotions as the days, weeks and months went on becoming out of control. Then one day my husband's nan gave me a little singer sewing machine. I looked at this thing and thought to myself I have never touched a sewing machine in my life, what on earth am I going to do with this? But by trying to be polite, I thought I would give it a go. I mean if I could manage to make something basic and then send it to his nan then its job done.

I learnt to thread it and grabbed some old bed linen to make a stuffed turtle...not very basic but if anyone knows me they would think...classic Sam! The sound of the sewing machine running was so relaxing, and with every mistake I made, I became more determined to master the technique. I lost a few hours to that turtle, but in that time I didn't experience the tightness of the chest nor the feeling that the whole world is on my shoulders. It was just me and the singer. When I finished, I was completely thrilled with my creation and then I went off to bed. That night I slept so well and my dreams were of all the things I could make for my little boy growing inside my tummy. That night I felt excitement again. Before that experience I never thought of myself as a crafter but from that moment on I was hooked.

Why am I sharing this with you all? Well because in life generally we have to conform, we obey the rules and get on with just getting through the day. There is little room for creativity as I find its generally not seen as an essential part of life. For example, where I live in sunny Suffolk, I have seen a decline in the amount of creative classes available. But for me having a creative outlet, a way of expressing myself and having an escapism helped me get through those darker days. Until that day I took on a sewing machine, I didn't even know I was a 'creative'.

I like many have struggled with mental health issues throughout my life and I cant help but wonder, had I have been encouraged in general to be more creative and expressive would I have been able to manage my mental health a lot sooner? Clearly I am obsessed with all things craft related but regardless of that, the positive effects on my mental wellbeing has been a reason I encourage my own children to express themselves and also wish to help others find their inner creative persona. I strongly believe that we shouldn't all just fit into a box and be the same as being different is what makes us human.

2 budding photographers off on an adventure

My son has Autism and can find life extremely difficult at times. I worry as a parent about his mental health as statistically he is more likely to suffer with a mental health disorder than someone without Autism. When he has high anxiety often relating to school, we put the demands of school to one side and tackle life in a way he can be expressive. He struggles to read and couldn't cope with the demands of reading his school book, but he loves photography. One day, when again it all became too much for him we put the book away, grabbed our cameras and walked around taking photos of street signs. He learned how to read and spell 'water' from the pictures of the drains he took. He learned how to read 'school' 'lane' ' road' and 'dog' from road signs and a dog poo bin. It was enjoyable for him, he of course wanted to get the pictures just right and played around with angles but we achieved more than if we were to have sat there battling with him to read his books.

One Christmas he couldn't write his own name to send cards to his class friends but what he could do is make Christmas cards from Hama Beads, and so with some help from mum he put together cards for his class friends. Not only did the process have a calming effect on him, but he went to school with his chest poked out full of pride of what he made. He did something different, outside the box but the results were the same. His friends had cards personal to them from him. Just the same as he was receiving from them.

With mental health disorders on the rise, and experiencing personal psychological struggles myself I wanted to write a blog that shows that there is a method that could improve things. Creative arts is about expression and we simply don't have enough outlets and opportunities to express ourselves in life. Targets to reach and deadlines to get to can become all consuming. The great Pablo Picasso once said "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" and this is so true. Crafting isn't for everyone, but I didn't think it was for me either until I gave it a go. The great thing about it in my opinion, is that there is something for all. Sewing for example can be about going it alone and getting creative, or it could be about following a pattern step by step that someone else has written. But what ever method you choose you will end up with something you created yourself (hopefully)

If you can allow yourself an outlet like I did and like we allow our kids to, I hope like us you can find that your mental wellbeing improves too.

Take care and look after yourself

Sam

x

Pablo Picasso once said "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up" and this is so true

Can creative arts improve your mental health? Mental Health Awareness Week 14-20 May 2018‎