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Knitting is My Meditation and Yoga

I finally began my first knitting project of 2021! To me knitting is a way to relax and escape from it all. Especially with how the world has been the last year I have needed an escape. Knitting has been my escape. Last year like everyone else I was home more than ever. When lockdown started I thought staying home was going to be a simple thing. I like so many others discovered it was not as simple a task as it appeared. 2020 was mentally draining and stressful. To find peace during the year I turned to my knitting needles. I ended up knitting more in the past year than I have in the last seven. I created multiple shawls, hats, two blankets, and some other small projects. When I started knitting during lockdown I was really looking for something to do while I watched Netflix. I was looking for something productive to say I had accomplished something that day. I had been feeling driftless and needed something to motivate me. I had an urge to do something to do anything. What I found in those projects was peace. My mind was clearer and I was able to focus better. I was not as distracted as I had been. I found the longer I spent at home the less I was able to focus on things.

I worked on small projects during the zoom meetings for work to keep my mind clear and focused. My mind wandered far too much without a project in my hand. I was tired of just looking at a screen all day. I was struggling to focus on the screen. I know many of us had these screen burnout moments. I had a hard time focusing on these virtual meetings without something to occupy my hands and part of my mind. While I was at home it was all too easy for my thoughts to drift away to something else. Knitting kept me grounded and focused on what was happening on my screen.

Knitting is My Meditation and Yoga

I have also had a need for a happy place during these crazy times. I found it a challenge to not be able to go anywhere or see anyone. Knitting is my happy place. Knitting is like meditation and yoga to me. In fact I find it even more soothing than meditation and yoga. My mind wanders too much during mediation. It takes me too long to settle down and get comfortable. I have to be in the right mindset to meditate. I cannot relax as quickly with yoga as I can knitting. It takes me longer to get into that peaceful mindset. Yoga leaves me with a peaceful and relaxed feeling after a good session, but it also takes me longer to get started. Especially when I am home and trying to follow along with a video. I cannot focus as well on a video. If the video pauses or buffers my mood is ruined and I cannot get back into the yoga. That is why knitting is my number one mindful hobby. I can pick it up and put it up at any time. I can do a project based on my mood. It does not buffer. I do not need a set position of mindset. And it does not ruin my relaxation if I have to take a break.

I prefer to escape in simple repetitive patterns so I do not have to think. I can just clear my mind. I feel more peaceful and relaxed after a knitting session. It is my favorite way to unwind after a long day or meeting. My mind just empties as I work the needles back and forth. The yarn just glides across the needles in a soothing manner. I find the art of creating something with a skein of yarn and two needles to be the most relaxing thing I can do. Knitting is that almost magic thing I can do to empty my mind and calm my emotions. It brings a sense of pride to end a day with a clear mind and a finished project. Knitting is the mindful hobby that you can share with others. I get a free mind and my loved ones get knitted items to keep them cozy.

By Ashley


 

Tags:
knitting and meditation   knitting yoga