12 Crafts That Activate Emotions

The things you do with your hands have a direct and immediate impact on your brain. Many therapies use crafts to channel problematic emotions. And by no means in vain. In fact, many of the work done by hand exposes us to the most positive thoughts and attitudes.

Here’s a list of crafts you can turn to when something seems wrong. They are awesome and simple forms of therapy. Through them, you will be able to change the way you look at the situation that is causing your anxiety.

1. Lines of anger

For moments when you’re angry, there’s nothing better than drawing straight lines. Horizontal, vertical or oblique. For every detail that runs through your mind and ignites your rage, draw a line. You will see how effective the results can be.

2. Spirals to move forward

Draw spirals to get over the feeling of being stuck and to get rid of the idea that you have no way out or a clear way to follow. Use multiple colors and draw one on top of the other without thinking too much about it. Just let the spirals flow out of you…

3. Tear up your anger

Sometimes hatred can have a strong base, especially if you have been a victim of injustice or if you feel anger at some concrete fact. The ideal way to break your anger is to take a piece of paper and tear it into small pieces. As small as you can. You will notice how this makes you feel better.

4. Draw grids to activate focus

If you feel fragmented or unable to focus, but want to focus on a specific goal and achieve it, you can activate your attention by drawing grids as perfectly as you can. Another option is to draw concentric circles, as well as circles on the target. Try to draw in as much detail as possible and you will see how your willpower improves.

5. Elevate your mood with scenery

When your mood is low and your energy is low, you can activate your vitality by drawing very colorful landscapes. Don’t make sure the shapes become perfect. Instead, focus on using many different shades of color for the sky, vegetation, the sea, or any landscape you choose to paint or draw.

6. Draw a self-portrait when you are confused

Sometimes you don’t know what makes you mad, sad or angry. You also don’t know if you’re behaving appropriately or not. For those embarrassing moments when you don’t seem to know what you’re actually feeling, a good topic for drawing is self-image.

Stand in front of a mirror and focus carefully on the look you have in your eyes, lips and forehead. Try to save them in your photo. This exercise will improve your perspective on yourself. Crafts related to our self-image help to gain insight into how we see ourselves.

7. Get over uncertainty with collages

As in the previous case, sometimes you find yourself confused, not necessarily about your feelings, but about your desires. You run into dilemmas and you don’t know which path to take. You are full of confusion and uncertainty…

For these moments of indecision, collages are a great tool. Take magazines and old newspapers and make a collage on cardboard. Don’t think too much about composition. Do it as if automatically. The collage itself will give you clues as to what decision you should make.

8. Copy to deal with disappointment

In times of disappointment and broken expectations, crafts can help you greatly. When you are disappointed, choose one of the famous paintings you like and try to copy it by drawing it on paper. This will help you refocus your feelings.

9. Waves and circles for seemingly unsolved problems

If you have a problem that doesn’t seem to have a solution, sit down and take the paper in front of you. The field draws waves and / or circles of different colors, different lengths and different sizes. Try to make each pattern with one stroke and preferably use cool colors. Repeat this process until a light appears at the end of the tunnel. Believe it or not: it will happen.

10. Mandalas to increase understanding

No matter how hard you try, there are some things you can’t understand, be it how you do a task, text message, or someone’s behavior. Drawing and coloring mandalas or patterns full of arabesques will help you open up to understanding. Take your time, look for relaxation and tranquility.

11. rag dolls for anxiety

Who wouldn’t have received an unwanted visit from anxiety that leaves behind despair? There are many situations that lead to that annoying feeling of anxiety that doesn’t seem to go away at all.

When you feel anxious, the best thing you can do is create a rag doll. Size does not matter. It just has to be whole: head, body and limbs. Give it the shape you want and design a look for the doll’s face. This kind of craft attracts the serenity you long for.

12. Face your fears with knitting

When you’re scared, it’s time to knit. Yes, knit. It doesn’t matter what method you use: you can crochet, knit with two needles, do macrame knitting, weave a rug, or use any other technique. Weaving and knitting is an ancient activity that also strengthens your confidence in your own abilities. In knitting, like in life, you connect several different yarns until something new is born.