Inspire Happiness
A couple of years ago, a good friend introduced me to the world of stamping, knowing that I already loved to craft and create handmade cards. I will always be grateful that she did! I was at home with my two young boys and had given up a hobby that was too time consuming and difficult to maintain with little ones around. I was feeling depressed and lonely a lot of the time. I was having those awful “What Now? Who am I?” symptoms that many of us women go through trying to find/prove our worth outside of being wives and mothers, even though I am very happy being both! Crafting lifted me more than once from that downward spiral of depression!
Have you ever noticed that many artists suffer from depression? Wait a second, let me rephrase that. Have you ever noticed that many people suffering from depression become artists? Throughout our history we can find links between art and depression, and I have spent a lot of time thinking that it is no coincidence. I think that we are naturally drawn to what is good for us, and if we allow ourselves to accept what we need, we can greatly benefit from it.
I have always been drawn to arts and crafts in its multitude of forms and have tried my hand at many. It was not long before I figured out that for me, crafting is a great stress reliever, it improves my mood, calms me, and helps me focus when my mind is racing.
Once I opened the door to this new creative outlet I found myself stepping through many other doors too. As I sought to learn more about paper crafting, I opened myself up to sharing my own work with others, and I found a courage that I didn’t think I had. I went on my first online forum and began talking to people from around the world about the one thing that connected us all; crafting cards, and I soon learned that we had many other things in common too. I made new friends online, some of whom I have met in person, and care for deeply. We support and inspire each other in many ways. I found that with the confidence to share my art, there also came more self respect for who I am, and what I can do, which goes a long way toward being a happier person!
Nearly two years ago I decided to start my own blog, to share what I was learning and to further explore the crafting world, naming it “A Necessary Creativity”. A friend asked me why I came up with that name…my reply was and still is; that for me, CREATIVITY is not a hobby; it is a NEED! A need that I will always try to fill, because I know what’s good for me!
Thank you to Kathy and Barb for inviting me to share, and hopefully encourage someone to get creative for their own good! Grab a cup of coffee or cocoa, and come on over to my blog to see what I’ve been up to. I’d love to hear from you!
Have a creative day! Deena Perreault
http://acreativeneed.wordpress.com
http://acreativeneed.etsy.com/