How cross stitch saved my life

[babyfairie]

All of my life I have suffered with extreme depression and suicidal thoughts and attempts even, I've struggled through this dark cloud of mental illness and was put in the hospital this past summer to try to get me on medication that might help my condition. Anyway after being released from the hospital I was put into a partial hospitalization program, and part of what we do there involves arts and crafts, and it is while there that someone introduced me to cross stitch! The second they put needle and thread in my hand and taught me how to count all my anxiety zoomed away, I had something to focus on that I could control, and I've been addicted ever since. I feel like it saved my life because now I hardly ever feel suicidal and am far less depressed even though each day is still a struggle, who knew that a simple hobby could do so much!

I've just recently started my first bigger project and am excited to have found somewhere online to share it with people!!

~Kaylin

[karen4bells]

Hello Kaylin and welcome to the forum!!! I am so very glad that you have found the wonderful world of cross stitching and I hope that it will give you many many years of happiness!!! We'd love to see pictures of your projects!!!

[Squirrel]

Hi Kaylin anda warm welcome from me too. I am so glad someone introduced you to cross stitch and you have found out about how helpful it is in keeping the mental turmoil largely at bay. It is a wonderful help to so many people as is knitting too - and this latter has been scientifically proven.

I hope you have many many happy years of stitching ahead of you.

[fccs]

Hello, Kaylin. Thank you for sharing your story and I'm so glad you've found the therapeutic nature of cross stitching. It's a wonderful hobby (a very addicting one) and I think you'll find there are others here who have found the medical benefits it offers, just as you did.

What kinds of designs do you like to stitch? I hope you'll share pictures of your work. Welcome to the forum.

[LastingAllure]

Welcome to the group Kaylin!! Glad to hear you have found a way to coupe with the mental illness. Many people use cross stitching as a form of therapy because it is something that can be done when you just feel like sitting and doing diddly squat and yet you feel like you have accomplished something. In fact cross stitch was used as a form of therapy in hospitals way back in the day to deal with depression and pain management because it involves using different parts of your brain and helps keep your concentration on the task at hand.

Many people are in the same boat as you and can relate. I am so happy that the world is finally starting to become aware of mental illnesses and it isn't as taboo as it once was now that people are becoming educated about it. I am also really happy that you have found help and have found an oasis with cross stitching and that is is really helping you.

Please do share photos of your work. We would love to see your projects

[Oriettait]

welcome to the forum from Italy!
I am so glad you found cross stitch helpful to control your anxiety

[Serinde]

Welcome from the West of Scotland! And blessings on the people who had the sense to introduce you to embroidery. Cross-stitch can be quite meditative, and absolutely a thing that's under your control, repaying you with a beautiful stitched piece. Once you are comfortable with little placing all those xs, you'll be amazed at what else can be accomplished with fabric, needle and thread... and you've found the right place, with lots of like-minded folk.

[wendywombat]

Welcome to the Forum from me here in SW France.

Yes it's amazing how something so simple as placing identical stitches on fabric can lift the mood!

Before I retired life was getting very stressful and when I picked up cross stitch ( I was encouraged to do so by a disabled lady who told me how it had swept her cares away!!) I felt that I was being uplifted.

BIG to you and I hope we will be able to share with you the Joy of Stitching here.

[Allyn]

Welcome Kaylin

This isn't the first time I've heard something similar to your story. I've said more than once that stitching, for me, is a great de-stresser. No matter how stressful, chaotic or otherwise crappy my day has been, stitching puts that all out of my mind and gives me a much-needed mental vacation.

Post pictures! We want to see pictures of what you're working on.

[Lulu22]

Hello Kaylin

Thankyou for sharing your story with us it just goes to show what an amazing hobby we all share and I'm so glad it has helped you
It will be lovely to see what you've been working on.

[rcperryls]

Hello Kaylin and welcome to the forum from South Carolina! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I know that in the times of high stress and anxiety, cross stitching has been the best therapy ever for getting my mind to relax and put away the problems and issues of what life brings sometimes. I am so glad that you found us as we are more than happy to support and encourage (and at times enable) you in this wonderful and creative outlet. I hope that you will post pictures of your work for us to see and admire, whether they are large projects or small ones. Each brings a special love with it. Looking forward to getting to know you,

Carole

[calico]

Welcome to the forum The meditative, therapeutic, anxiety-crushing aspects of Cross Stitching is why many of us are highly addicted to it! Welcome aboard! It's nice to have you around and I look forward to seeing pics of your work and watching your projects come to life!

[pattiebelle]

Oh, Sweetie! It's all so true! So glad you shared...

Welcome from southern California.

It's wonderful you've found cross-stitch and even more wonderful you've found US! -lol This place is the the best place you could be for encouragement, and tips, and information, and friendship with like-minded folks.

Many blessings, dear.

[Mystonique]

Congratulations!!!

Cross stitch and the friendliness of this forumn has helped me through some very similar issues.

If you haven't already, read these these two books by Matthew Johnstone:

I Had A Black Dog.
http://youtu.be/XiCrniLQGYc" target="_blank

And
Living With a Black Dog.
http://youtu.be/2VRRx7Mtep8" target="_blank

These are just brilliant short stories ... easy peasy to read but so insightful.

I can also recommend brazil nuts, baby spinach, yoghurt and bananas ... not all at the same time ... fabulous for helping your brain recover from clinical depression and anxiety - also pepping up the right chemicals for recovery.

8} ♡♡♡ and well done for coming so far!!!

[mouselady]

I am so happy that you have been able to work through your depression, and that you were able to find continuing support. So many people feel that as with other illnesses, you should just take a pill and get better, but mental illnesses never really go away. They get better, but you have to 'treat' them in some way everyday. I know! I found cross-stitch upon a therapists advise to "try to find something to do at the end of the day that takes a lot of concentration. Something that will push your worries out of your mind in a positive way." I wasn't really sure what that meant until I saw a woman on the train doing cross-stitch. I talked to her about it and she said it helps her relax on the way too work in preparation of the day, and unwind at the end of the day. I too believe it is a life-saver! I had experienced some suicidal thoughts, but mostly just realized I didn't care if I lived or died. Now, I actually want to live. I want to finish my projects! And I've realized there are some other reasons that life is not so bad!

I can't wait to see your projects.

Big hugs to you from NY!

[Cecilia]

Hi kaylin. Welcome to the forum.

I'm so pleased that you have found cross stitiching and this forum, which is such a supportive and friendly place to be. I'm very happy that cross stitiching is helping you conquer depression - long may it continue.

[lavenderbee]

Glad you had the hobby to help you. I have depression too & need to keep busy. Keeping your mind on something helps make the time go quicker. I did loads of knitting but recently started x-stitch in earnest. Small things but fun with pretty colours & lovely to think I've made something; mostly cards or small items for gifts but you have to start somewhere

[SarahLSells]

Thanks for sharing your story.