For the past few years, I’ve been struggling to start new hobbies and stick to them. I was so stressed, almost burnt out, and felt like I didn’t have the energy for anything. You probably know the feeling - just lying on the couch, scrolling through my phone, or playing mobile games.
I tried some hobbies, both old and new, but I didn’t stick to almost any of them. I even left behind some activities I’d done for years, like dancing. I didn’t find joy in it anymore. The class I attended wasn’t challenging enough, and the more advanced class was too serious - they trained for world competitions and took it far too seriously for me. I just wanted to dance for fun and for myself. Most of the people I liked moved to the advanced class and dedicated their whole lives to it, which wasn’t something I wanted for myself.
Instead, I switched to pilates - and so far, I really like it. I used to attend pilates classes at work but stopped due to stress and scheduling conflicts. However, since the start of 2025, I’ve been doing pilates at home, and surprisingly, I’ve stuck to the routine almost every day. And you know what? I’m proud of myself.
As for crochet? That journey started even before my pilates routine. I remember being little and my grandma teaching my sister and me how to crochet. My sister picked it up again as an adult and has been crocheting for quite a while now - she even knits. But me? Not there yet (and maybe never will be).
I admired her skills - it looked so difficult, and she seemed so experienced. Note to my former self: it’s really not that hard once you learn the basics. Every time I crochet now, I’m surprised by how easy it is.
But my journey into crochet was much longer than hers - nd that’s okay. Some topics in my life just needed time for me to get to them. Sometimes it’s because of pressure from others that made me resist starting; other times it’s because I didn’t enjoy something at first or simply wasn’t ready yet. Crochet was one of those things - I needed time to approach it on my own terms without feeling rushed or forced into it.
It truly began during our honeymoon (which was amazing - I’ll definitely write about that later). My husband and I are huge Harry Potter fans - Potterheads through and through - so when we saw a Harry Potter crochet set in a shop, I couldn’t resist. It felt like the perfect combination of fandom and creativity. So, I bought it - and was so excited about making all the mini figures to display next to our LEGO Hogwarts castle.
However, life got busy that summer - another vacation, family trips, lots of work - and I didn’t start right away. The longer I postponed it, the more I forgot about it entirely. My reluctance to start something new (because of fear of failure) kicked in too. It took me a year and a half just to open the box and give it a try.
When I finally did start crocheting, my sister helped me alongside some YouTube tutorials. She even gave me two yarns so I could practice simple techniques first. My first project was a small amigurumi octopus - a perfect beginner project (link here). In fact, I made five of them before feeling ready to try anything else!
Eventually, I opened the Harry Potter set again but quickly realized that the yarn included was absolutely horrible - poor quality that made crocheting nearly impossible. Luckily, the tutorials for all the figures were still useful with proper yarns of better quality. While I haven’t crocheted anything from that set yet, I’ve already bought yarns in the right colors - and soon enough, those Harry Potter figures will come to life.
In the meantime, I've crocheted other things—and learned quite a few things about this hobby along the way:
- It keeps my hands busy: This is probably my favorite part! Sitting still is hard for me - I’m always bouncing my leg or tapping my fingers (much to my husband’s annoyance). Crochet gives me something productive to do with my hands while calming my mind at the same time.
- It’s great for social situations: At family gatherings where conversations don’t interest me or arguments break out (families—you know how it is), bringing along an easy crochet project has been a lifesaver. It keeps me focused and calm while others talk or debate around me.
- It improves focus: Crochet has surprisingly helped me focus better in general, and I’m even planning to bring it into work for certain meetings where all I need to do is listen. My ADHD colleagues would likely approve (I’ve already made two hacky sacks for one of them). In addition to crochet projects, I've used other techniques in the past that help with focus: coloring in my diary or playing with a Rubik's Cube when feeling restless were both effective strategies for me at different times. My sister also gifted me a small crochet toy designed for ADHD kids - it’s perfect for keeping my hands occupied when needed.
I hope this hobby sticks—and honestly? I'm hopeful it will.
The Science Behind Keeping Your Hands Busy: How Crochet Improves Focus
Did you know that keeping your hands busy with activities like crochet can actually help improve focus and reduce restlessness? It’s not just a relaxing hobby - it has real benefits for your brain.
When you engage in repetitive, hands-on tasks like crocheting, it activates parts of your brain that help with attention and decision-making. The rhythmic motion of stitching creates a calming effect, similar to mindfulness. This helps quiet distractions and allows you to concentrate better.
Crochet also requires coordination between your hands and eyes, which stimulates different areas of the brain. This combination of movement and focus can make it easier to process information and stay present in the moment. For people who struggle with restlessness or find it hard to sit still, crochet provides a productive way to channel that energy.
Other hands-on activities can have similar effects. For example, gardening allows you to focus on small tasks like planting or pruning while connecting with nature. Baking or cooking engages your senses and requires attention to detail, making it both calming and rewarding. Even simple activities like assembling puzzles or organizing items (like sorting beads or arranging photos) can provide the same grounding effect.
So next time you’re feeling restless or having trouble focusing, try picking up a crochet hook - or any other simple activity that keeps your hands busy. You might be surprised by how much it helps!
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