15/11/2025
I’ve been going through a hard time recently and due to injury I couldn’t go for run for several months.
Not having that outlet has felt a lot louder in my head than usual. Running is normally my reset. It’s how I clear the negative chatter and get myself back into a better space. So not having that outlet has been… a lot.
I needed something to stop me from just sitting in my thoughts all day, so I picked up cross stitching of all things. I had no idea what I was doing. I’ve watched so many YouTube videos it’s embarrassing, unpicked entire sections, stabbed myself more than once, and had moments where I swore the thread had a personal vendetta against me. But I finished my first ever cross stitch this week and I’m honestly really proud of it.
It’s not perfect, but it kept my hands busy and my mind calmer than it’s been in weeks. There’s something oddly grounding about focusing on one tiny square at a time instead of the big messy picture my brain keeps throwing at you.
If you’re in a rough patch too, maybe find something small to put your focus into. Not as a “fix”, just something that softens the edges a bit. Something that reminds you you’re still capable of creating something, even when life feels heavy.
I’m slowly getting back into running but still paying attention to my body so I don’t overdo it. But now I have another tool in my toolkit for helping my mental health.
It’s not perfect but it doesn’t have to be and neither do I.