Wool Goddess

Living with fibromyalgia has taught me that life moves best when I listen to my body. What I need changes from day to day, and with each passing season. Autumn is my natural time to slow down, so I adjust my pace and routines to honour that shift.

Here’s how I make my crochet time feel supportive and soothing:

• I choose yarn that brings me joy, usually a blend of happy, clashing colours that make my heart smile.

• I set myself up in comfort: a soft cushion beneath me and my electric heat pad warming my back.

• I wear loose, natural-fibre clothing because nothing ruins a calm moment like a scratchy label digging in.

This year, slowing down has felt even more necessary. After the initial joy of thinking my new medication might be a “wonder drug,” I’ve realised that even with support, my energy still fluctuates. Some mornings I wake brimming with motivation, ready to pick up my hook and lose myself in a sea of stitches. Other days, even holding the yarn feels heavy.

That’s when I remind myself: pacing isn’t just a strategy, it’s an act of self-kindness.

Crochet has become my quiet companion, helping me honour my limits while still creating beauty. I no longer push through pain just to finish a project. Instead, I break my making into gentle steps, a few rows in the morning light, a rest with a cup of tea, then maybe another small burst later in the day. Most evenings, I sit and crochet while listening to a book, letting the rhythm of the stitches soothe me.

By pacing my crafting, I’ve discovered joy in slow progress. Every stitch is a moment of mindfulness, a reminder that healing isn’t about speed, it’s about balance. Some projects take weeks, even months, and that’s perfectly okay. Each piece carries the rhythm of my body: steady, patient, and full of heart.

Fibromyalgia may slow me down, but crochet helps me keep moving in a way that feels nurturing and sustainable. It’s not about how much I make, it’s about how much peace I find along the way.

Love & healing hug