The Art of Not Losing It (Thanks, Crochet!)

A lifetime ago, when I was studying law — yes, I know, I look 25 but I’ve been 25 for a while now — things like burnout, anxiety, or mental health weren’t really part of the conversation. Therapy? Forget it. In Italy—especially in Milan—the unspoken rule was: "The more you have on your plate, the cooler you are." And honestly, I don’t think that mindset has changed much (lol).

We’re supposed to do it all: study, work, work out, have a social life, nurture relationships, have kids, eat well, cook, pick up hobbies, play an instrument… and the list goes on. Success is measured by how many things you can juggle at once.

I’ve always been an anxious person. My first panic attack hit me at 14 during a math test (tragic, I know). From that moment on, my body found very creative ways to remind me that stress was my constant companion—all the way through my law degree.

But here’s the thing. Studying is amazing, but it keeps you glued to a chair for hours. By the end of the day, your brain is fried, and your muscles feel nonexistent. After my first year—celebrating some good grades (and a few nervous tics to match)—I realized I needed an escape. Something manual. Something to shut my overthinking brain up.

Enter: crochet.

I still remember buying my first hook, a massive 4mm one (rookie mistake), and diving into YouTube tutorials. As a perfectionist, my first attempts were disastrous. I almost quit—until I casually mentioned my new hobby to my mom.

We were on a video call—I’ll never forget it. She lit up and said, "Oh, I crochet too! Look!" Then she casually pulled into frame the most intricate, enormous lace doily I had ever seen, made with thread so fine it probably took her 58 hours to finish.

"MOM, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! You’re a crochet wizard, and you never told me?!"

The rest is history. I forced my poor mother to spend hours teaching me stitches, patterns, and techniques. Now, our favorite thing to do together is crochet while watching movies on the couch.

But here’s what I’ve realized: crochet isn’t just about making clothes or accessories. It’s about taking time for yourself. It’s meditation in motion. It’s passing down traditions. It’s silence and energy flowing—from your hands to the hook, to the yarn, to the pattern. The colors, the softness of the fibers, the rhythm. The dance of the hands.

If you’re still not convinced, here’s why everyone (yes, you too) should give crochet a try:

1.     Stress Reduction & Mood Boosting: A study in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that 89.5% of people felt calmer and 82% felt happier after crocheting. The repetitive motions put you in a meditative state, reducing stress and improving mood.

2.     Cognitive Stimulation: Learning patterns and techniques keeps your brain sharp, improving focus and spatial awareness. Some research even suggests it helps with long-term cognitive health.

3.     Eases Anxiety & Depression: The rhythmic movements release serotonin (aka the happy chemical), which can help with anxiety and depression. One study showed that 81% of people with depression felt better after knitting—a close cousin of crochet.

4.     Pain Management: Crochet requires focus, which can actually help distract from chronic pain. Some health professionals even recommend it as a relaxation technique.

5.     Community & Connection: Whether it’s with your mom, a friend, or a crochet group, this craft brings people together, reducing loneliness and fostering meaningful connections.

I’m so happy to share this little piece of my life with you. Ele and I would love to hear from you—do you crochet? Have you experienced these benefits too?

Un abbraccio 💖

Marty