How I Learned to Be Gentler With Myself Through My Craft
I used to be my own worst critic—especially when it came to creativity.
I’d unravel stitches that weren’t quite perfect. I’d abandon projects because they didn’t look “good enough.” I’d compare my work to others and feel like I was falling short.
What I didn’t realize was that this wasn’t just about crafting—it was about how I treated myself.
Perfectionism, self-doubt, unrealistic expectations—they all showed up in my creative process the same way they showed up in my life. And when I finally started letting go of those pressures in my craft, something surprising happened:
I started being kinder to myself in other areas, too.
Crafting became a space where I could practice self-compassion—where I could make mistakes, try new things, and allow myself to be imperfect without judgment.
If you’ve ever been hard on yourself—whether in creativity or in life—this post is for you. Let’s explore how crafting can be a powerful practice of self-compassion, and how you can use your creativity to develop more kindness toward yourself.
🧶 Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.
The Science: Why Self-Compassion Matters—And How Creativity Can Help
Self-compassion isn’t about being self-indulgent or making excuses—it’s about treating yourself with the same kindness, understanding, and patience that you would offer a friend.
Research shows that self-compassion has powerful effects on mental and emotional well-being:
🧠 It Reduces Stress and Anxiety
✔ Studies show that self-compassion helps lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate emotions.
✔ People who practice self-compassion are less likely to experience chronic anxiety and self-doubt.
💡 It Boosts Resilience and Creativity
✔ When we let go of self-criticism, we free up mental space for curiosity and exploration—which fuels creativity.
✔ Research suggests that people who practice self-compassion are more willing to take creative risks and less likely to abandon projects due to self-doubt.
❤️ It Helps Reframe Mistakes as Part of Growth
✔ Self-compassion shifts our mindset from “I failed” to “I’m learning.”
✔ Instead of seeing mistakes as proof that we’re not good enough, we start to see them as natural, necessary steps in the creative process.
In short? The way we talk to ourselves matters. And crafting is one of the best ways to practice being gentle with ourselves in moments of imperfection.
How to Use Crafting as a Self-Compassion Practice
If you struggle with self-criticism, here are some ways to use your creative time as a space for kindness, acceptance, and patience.
1. Let Mistakes Stay in Your Work
Instead of undoing every “wrong” stitch or seam, try leaving small mistakes as they are.
✔ See them as a record of the process, a sign that your hands and heart were engaged.
✔ Remind yourself that handmade means imperfect—and that’s what makes it unique.
✔ If you catch yourself getting frustrated, pause and take a deep breath before deciding whether to fix it.
📌 Try This: Make an “imperfect” project on purpose—one where you intentionally embrace uneven stitches, mismatched colors, or unexpected textures. Let it be a celebration of the beauty in imperfection.
2. Reframe Your Inner Dialogue
Notice how you talk to yourself while you craft. Do you say things like:
❌ “This looks terrible.”
❌ “I’ll never be as good as other makers.”
❌ “I should just start over—I ruined it.”
Instead, try shifting your language to something more compassionate:
✔ “Every stitch is part of the process.”
✔ “I’m learning and growing with every project.”
✔ “This piece reflects my creativity, and that’s enough.”
📌 Try This: The next time you catch yourself being critical of your work, pause and rephrase your thought as if you were speaking to a friend.
3. Create Just for the Joy of It
Not every project needs to be a masterpiece. Sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is create without pressure, without an audience, without a plan.
✔ Work on something purely for fun—no expectations, no perfectionism, just play.
✔ Try experimenting with new materials or techniques, allowing yourself to be a beginner again.
✔ Remind yourself that making is valuable, even if no one else sees the result.
📌 Try This: Set aside time for a “no-pressure” creative session where the goal isn’t to make something perfect, but simply to enjoy the process.
4. Give Yourself Permission to Take Breaks
Self-compassion also means recognizing when you need rest.
✔ If you’re feeling uninspired, don’t force yourself to create—step away and come back when you’re ready.
✔ Trust that your creativity isn’t gone, it’s just resting.
✔ Let go of guilt—taking breaks is part of a sustainable creative practice.
📌 Try This: If you feel stuck, take a 24-hour break from your project. When you return, approach it with fresh eyes and a kinder perspective.
Explore This Deeper in Craft to Heal
If you’ve ever struggled with self-criticism, perfectionism, or creative doubt, Craft to Heal was designed for you.
In our March 18th workshop, we’ll explore:
🧶 How to release self-judgment and embrace creativity as a healing tool
🪡 Practical ways to use crafting as a space for self-compassion
🧵 Creative exercises that help shift the way we talk to ourselves while making
If you’re ready to turn your creative practice into a place of kindness and healing, I’d love to have you join us.
🧶 Want to learn more? Click here to join Craft to Heal.
Your Creativity Deserves Kindness
You don’t have to create perfectly. You don’t have to impress anyone. You don’t have to prove anything.
You just have to show up. To make. To let yourself create, with all the imperfections, all the learning, all the joy that comes with it.
And when you do?
You’re not just making art. You’re making space for self-compassion.
So be gentle with yourself.
Trust that your creativity is worthy.
And remember: Your craft doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours.