“Creativity is a superpower”
This women’s lives, women’s voices feature delve’s into the power of getting creative, looking at the many ways this is achieved and the benefits associated. Written by Rhona Hannigan Development Worker for the Women’s Collective Ireland- Donegal
“Creativity is Intelligence Having Fun” Albert Einstein.
Einstein believes that we were all born with intelligence, with this intelligence we should have fun and be creative with it! Creativity engages the mind. It helps a person to absorb knowledge more easily making learning more efficient and enables alternative ways of thinking. Most importantly though it connects us to ourselves. In a fast paced world it is increasingly vital that we spend time recharging the batteries and dare I say having some “Me Time”
Crafting is for everyone, regardless of age or gender. Research shows that any crafting activity can prove therapeutic. It improves mood and reduces stress levels, while also improving self-confidence. Studies have shown that crafting reduces many health disorders from chronic pain to PTSD, depression, insomnia and anxiety. It is beneficial for older people in improving motor skills and helps prevent cognitive decline, but importantly, crafting is fun and sociable. Social connectedness is a key component of good mental wellness.
Crafting is an excellent way to relax and unwind. The repetitive motions of activities like knitting, painting, or woodworking can have a meditative effect, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm. This “flow state” can help distract from daily worries, offering a break from the fast-paced world and allowing your mind to focus on something creative.
Engaging in crafting encourages creative expression. Whether you’re painting a picture, sewing a piece of clothing, or building something with your hands, crafting stimulates your imagination. It allows you to experiment with colors, materials, and design, which can also improve problem-solving skills and foster innovation.
Creating something with your hands provides a deep sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s finishing a quilt, a model, or a piece of pottery, seeing your project come to life gives you a tangible sense of achievement. This can boost self-esteem and provide motivation to take on new challenges.
Crafting often requires concentration and attention to detail. Whether you’re following a pattern or figuring out how to complete a project, crafting improves your ability to focus and be patient. These skills can carry over into other areas of life, helping you stay engaged in tasks and challenges.
Arts and crafts are a way of expressing emotions in a creative way, when immersed in an activity nothing else seems to matter. Your worries are suspended, time is a concept, you forget yourself. The act of crafting encourages mindfulness—a focused, present mindset. As you work with your hands, you become more attuned to the moment, which can help improve overall well-being. It’s an opportunity to take a break from digital screens and engage in an activity that fosters a deep connection to the process.
Crafting can stimulate brain function, particularly in areas like problem-solving and spatial awareness. Projects that require designing, measuring, and visualizing end results engage the brain in ways that help maintain cognitive flexibility and memory
According to therapist Victoria Schindler, creative benefits are similar to those of meditation, which have proven to reduce stress and fight inflammation. Our bodies are in a constant state of stress, causing the “fight or flight” response which causes the many symptoms of stress. Stress is often flippantly dismissed or expected in a busy life but if not addressed it can lead to feeling overwhelmed, being irritable and lacking concentration. It can cause anxiety or wanting to avoid people or places. Many peoples experience an increase or decrease in appetite, sleep disruption or fatigue. Sometimes we use drugs, food, alcohol or smoking as a way of coping. Constant stress can weaken our immune system slowing the body’s ability to heal, making us more susceptible to illnesses and infections. Long term stress often results in aches and pain, headaches or debilitating migraines.
Our lives become a vicious circle, no motivation to exercise, socialise or embrace life, and this can lead to social isolation and loneliness. Imagine if there was a simple, fun even engaging way of breaking the cycle. Creative responses activate the parasympathetic nervous system, this brings the “fight or flight” response right down, instilling a sense of calm within.
Crafting can also be a social activity. Whether you’re attending a craft class, joining a local crafting group, or sharing your work online, crafting provides opportunities for connection. Sharing your creations and learning new techniques can foster a sense of community and belonging.
However, many feels that they are not creative and lack the confidence to try a new craft or even something that they may have enjoyed before. And often participants will say “I’m not crafty or I don’t think I can do that”. As a creative facilitator the most important part of a workshop is helping participants with the confidence to succeed and feel less anxious or isolated.
Here at the Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal we run a variety of crafting programmes from one off classes like jewellery making or soap making to a series of workshops incorporating a variety of crafts. We work throughout Donegal and collaborate with other organisations. One of which is the HSE and their “Connecting for Life” programme, a National strategy to create awareness around suicide by helping to improve mental health and wellbeing in the community.
Through this funding we have been able to offer four creative wellness programmes, in different areas of the county addressing issues around peri-menopause and menopause. Women in this category are at an increased risk of suicidal behaviours especially in areas of social deprivation. The programmes we have run already have been very beneficial to participants, along with a weekly workshop we provided online webinars with a menopause coach who provided expert advice on many aspects associated with peri-menopause/menopause.
Below are some of the feedback from participants who benefited from the programme.
“We are on our lass class and oh my God it has been a beautiful course, talking while crafting was amazing and the bonus, we took home something that we handmade, we were actually like kids coming out of playschool so proud of our crafts.”
“If I had known that the course was crafting, I would not have joined, as I would have felt that I couldn’t do it, but anyone can do crafting and I did find the course very relaxing”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 8-week course. The crafting provided a lovey distraction when talking about the menopause.”
Tap into your crafty side with Women’s Collective Ireland-Donegal
Crafting is not only fun and rewarding, but it also offers a wide array of benefits for your mental, emotional, and physical health. Whether you’re picking up a new hobby or returning to an old one, crafting provides a fulfilling, therapeutic outlet for creativity, mindfulness, and self-expression. We know we have done our job if at the end of each workshop women leave with a sense of pride at the amazing things that they created and with the added confidence to try different skills.
WCI-Donegal are always looking for women to share their stories and looking for women to write features on topics of their choice which we will profile as part of our Women’s Lives, Women’s Voices’ series.
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