Cross-stitch & Self-care.

I get asked why I’m so obsessed with cross-stitch, and it’s not a simple answer.

I became interested in learning about cross-stitch, or needlepoint, a few years ago after seeing pictures of cross-stitch and embroidery online as the trend began to grow. I was really drawn to the variety of designs available and its simplicity, and I’m no stranger to arts & crafts.

My first cross-stitch was not the prettiest, but I sure learned a lot about the basics. It felt good to have learned a new skill fairly quickly, and I began exploring more patterns and looking online to see what I could learn.

Like so many of us, I’ve struggled with mental health challenges most of my life, and continue to adjust my self-care routine to keep balanced.

After cross-stitching for a while, I started to realize the reason I was enjoying the craft. First, marking off completed stitches as you go was satisfying for someone like me. I’m someone who likes checklists and get satisfaction out of seeing progress being made.

Secondly, as I started to learn where you could ‘go-off-track’ (like changing thread colours or fabric colour), it was easy to see where the creative component played into the more structured pieces. I liked the fact that I knew exactly what my finished cross-stitch was going to look like before I started if I followed the pattern, but also had some creative license.

Cross-stitch has made me understand my need for balance. Structure and predictability reduces my anxiety, but a creative outlet is required for me to keep my sanity. Once I had this understanding, I was able to apply the principle to other aspects of my life - like my work, relationships and in how I treat myself.

And thirdly, it’s fun! There are SO many things you can design & make, and so much room for creativity.

This really is the core of why I love cross-stitch, and am so passionate about sharing it!