I have been using crochet as a mindfulness technique for years and the stress-relief benefits have been extraordinary. Focusing on every stitch, noticing all the colors in my yarn, and paying attention to the softness of the yarn as it slips through my fingers all have a special way of bringing me back into the present moment - and it'll do the same thing for you, too.

Positivity Reinforcement is the term I use for the sense of happiness and accomplishment that people feel every time they look at something they made themselves. It's the same as putting a picture of your significant other on your desk at work, or putting a picture your child drew on the fridge. Putting something that makes you happy in a place where you'll see it often is a great way to cultivate a positive mindset. But it doesn't stop there! Make a crocheted piece for someone else and watch the cycle repeat itself.

When I first learned how to crochet at the age of 8, I made every mistake in the book. My mind would drift off, and I wouldn’t notice my mistake until several rows later, resulting in hours of work wasted! I used to get so angry at myself and consider giving up entirely, but I developed the determination to keep going. I realized that if I was ever going to finish my project, I couldn't let my mind wander - I had to focus on every single stitch. Practicing crochet taught me how to be patient with myself and accept that mistakes are just a part of learning something new - a hard lesson we all have to learn somewhere along the journey of growing up.

The day I finally finished my first project was a major boost to my self-confidence. I tried to do something all on my own, put in the hard work, believed in myself, and now I had proof that I could actually do it. I felt like I could conquer the world... and to be completely honest with you, I still get those feelings every time I complete a project.

After I completed my first few successful projects, I felt so good about my crochet abilities that I decided to sail out into unchartered waters and design my own project, without the use of a pattern as my guide. That was the day I learned the humbling process of trial and error. Going off-script like that taught me how to deal with the uncertainty and challenges that come along with doing something on my own without any help.