The world is on fire, but our hands are busy.

There’s something you may not know about me. I’ve talked a lot about how lace tatting is an heirloom for me; about the traditions of busy hands and creative minds in my family. But what I haven’t talked much about is the fact that I was raised in a cult.

A piece of tatting made by my great-great-grandmother, Rozella.

Yup, a real, actual cult that is still in operation today. (And if you ask them they’re not a cult, but if you ask anyone who’s left it behind, like I did at 18, well… 1+1 = 2.)

I’m not going to talk about them specifically or name any names, because that isn’t the point of this post. I’ve spent a long time deconstructing the trauma and brainwashing I experienced as a result of that life, and I’m in a good place now. What I do want to talk about, though, is how intimately familiar I am with specific tactics used by cults for control.

Most relevantly, overwhelm and psychological distress through chaos.

The world is on fire, and the people who are meant to be in charge of our care as a society are actively fanning the flames. Every day, more and more atrocities are revealed, and while it is a good thing that the truth is being brought to light, the way in which it is being done feels familiar to me. Far too familiar. Each piece of information is being thrown at us like kerosene on a bonfire. Our minds have limits. We can only take in so much before we shut down, and have to walk away for our own sanity. It’s an attempt to make us so sick we disengage, and they can slink away quietly without facing true accountability.

But there is a weapon we have against this; a way to protect our minds without having to completely drop out of the conversation that I haven’t seen anyone else talk about.

Hand crafts.

Historically, crafts have been underestimated. But science has proven several times over that busy hands keeps minds healthy. Research shows that crafting in any medium reduces stress, improves mood, and stimulates brain activity.

With this knowledge we can continue to stay informed while also combating the stress of having to face horror after horror every day. It won’t put out the flames, but it might keep us from choking on the smoke.

So pick up a shuttle, a needle, a hook, a pencil or whatever calls you, and create something. It doesn’t have to be beautiful or good or even functional. It just has to keep your hands busy.

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