Why Being Crafty Is Good for Your Wellbeing

I have been called crafty on many occasions.

Now, before you start wondering what sort of trouble I've been getting myself into, I should probably clarify. I don't mean crafty in the sneaky sense. I mean I genuinely love crafts. If it's creative, chances are I've wanted to give it a go.

I'm one of those people who becomes completely absorbed in a new hobby for a few months. I dive in headfirst, learn everything I can and keep going until I feel like I've mastered it or at least become reasonably competent, before my curiosity is captured by something new.

Over the years I've painted, worked with clay, made macramé, experimented with soap making, decorated cakes, played around with animation, learnt new recipes and tried countless other creative pursuits. In fact, I probably own enough art and craft supplies to open a small craft shop.

And honestly... I wouldn't have it any other way.

One morning I was sitting outside with my usual cup of coffee, enjoying the quiet before the day began, when one of those random thoughts wandered into my mind.

Maybe my love of craft has never really been about making things.

Maybe it's been quietly looking after my mental health all along without me even knowing.

The more I thought about it, the more I realised that every creative hobby I'd ever picked up had given me something far more valuable than a finished project. It had given me moments of mindfulness, a break from screens, permission to sit in silence and switch off, opportunities for my mind to wander and the confidence that comes from learning something new.

As a psychologist, I've found myself encouraging many of my clients to find a hobby of their own, not because everyone needs to become an artist or learn to knit, but because our brains and nervous systems thrive when we regularly make space for creativity, curiosity and play.

And science suggests there's a very good reason why.

A large international study by Nature Medicine in 2023 involving more than 93,000 older adults from 16 countries found that people who regularly engaged in hobbies tended to report better overall health, greater happiness, higher life satisfaction and fewer symptoms of depression than those who didn't have a hobby. These findings were remarkably consistent across different countries and cultures.

While the study doesn't prove that hobbies directly cause these benefits, it does highlight several possible reasons why they may be so good for us. Creative activities often encourage relaxation, stimulate the brain, engage our senses, provide opportunities for self-expression and, in many cases, help us stay socially connected. Each of these factors is already known to support good mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Reading that study made me smile because it reflected something I've noticed repeatedly throughout my own life and over many years working as a psychologist. While every person is different, I've often seen that when people rediscover a hobby they genuinely enjoy, they seem lighter, they laugh more, their confidence gradually grows and life starts to feel a little richer than simply moving from one responsibility or task to the next.

Hobbies Bring Us Back to the Present

So, what exactly do we gain from having a hobby?

Some people see hobbies as a luxury or even a waste of time and money. I couldn't disagree more. When we look beyond the finished product, hobbies often give us something far more valuable than whatever we've created.

They bring us back to the present moment.

Most hobbies naturally engage our senses and encourage us to become completely absorbed in what we're doing. Whether it's knitting, gardening, woodworking, baking, painting or putting together a jigsaw puzzle, our attention gradually shifts away from the endless stream of thoughts running through our minds and settles on the task in front of us.

My latest creative obsession is working with polymer clay.

It usually starts with me searching online for a character I'd like to make. Then comes my favourite part. I roll the clay between my hands until it becomes soft and smooth, choose colours, search through tiny cutters and tools, and slowly watch a lump of clay transform into something with its own little personality.

I love the feel of the clay in my hands, the bright colours spread across the table and, yes, I'll admit it, I even like the smell of it. (I'm also one of those strange people who enjoys the smell of whiteboard markers and petrol, so perhaps don't use me as the benchmark!)

Without even trying, an hour can disappear.

I'm not thinking about my to-do list.

I'm not worrying about next week.

I'm not replaying conversations I've already had.

I'm simply making something.

This is mindfulness in one of its most natural forms.

Rather than forcing ourselves to empty our minds or sit perfectly still, our attention becomes gently anchored to what we're seeing, touching and creating. We become fully engaged in the process, and for a little while, our busy minds finally get the chance to rest.

Hobbies Can Teach Us About Ourselves

One of the unexpected gifts of having a hobby is that it can teach you a great deal about yourself.

For most of my life I was an impatient person. I hated anything that involved lots of tiny, fiddly pieces or took days to complete. If I started a craft project, I wanted to finish it that day. If I couldn't, I'd often lose interest or become frustrated.

Somewhere along the way, though, something changed.

Perhaps it was getting older, raising children or that life simply has a way of teaching us lessons when we're finally ready to learn them.

I've slowly come to realise that some of the best things in life can't be rushed.

I discovered this when I stumbled across the wonderfully quirky world of book nooks.

Before one of my deep dives down the Temu rabbit hole, I had no idea they even existed. Now they're dotted throughout my house, and I've even managed to convert my brother into a fellow enthusiast.

If you've never seen one before, imagine a tiny miniature world tucked between your books. A narrow Japanese street glowing with lanterns, a cosy library hidden behind an old wooden doorway, or a peaceful Greek fishing village where you almost expect to smell the sea air as you look inside. They're intricate, beautifully detailed and impossible to build in a single afternoon.

To my surprise, I didn't mind.

Some took several days to complete. I'd spend an hour or two working on them before putting everything away and coming back the next day. Rather than feeling frustrated, I found myself looking forward to picking up where I'd left off.

Without even realising it, I was learning patience.

I was learning that it's okay to walk away and come back tomorrow.

That not everything needs to be finished immediately.

And that good enough is good enough.

And that sometimes the process of creating something is far more rewarding than finally placing it on the shelf.

Perhaps that's one of the greatest lessons hobbies can teach us.

In a world that constantly encourages us to hurry, achieve and move on to the next thing, they quietly remind us that some things simply take time and that's exactly what makes them worthwhile.

Hobbies Help Us Rediscover Our Creativity

Perhaps one of the things I love most about having a hobby is that it gives us permission to be creative.

For many of us, creativity quietly fades into the background as we get older. Somewhere between paying the bills, raising families, meeting deadlines and ticking off endless to-do lists, we stop creating simply for the joy of creating.

Creativity is a little like a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger and more confident it becomes. Every time we paint, write, crochet, bake, garden or build something with our hands, we're exercising a part of ourselves that often doesn't get much attention in our busy adult lives.

What's interesting is that the benefits don't always stay confined to our hobby.

I've noticed that the more I engage in creative activities, the more willing I become to think differently in other areas of my life. I find myself looking at problems from different angles, coming up with ideas I may not have considered before and feeling more comfortable stepping away from the obvious solution. Creativity seems to encourage flexible thinking and that's a skill that reaches far beyond the craft table.

For me, creativity also feels deeply connected to intuition.

When I'm making something, I'm rarely following strict rules. I choose that colour because it feels right. I add another flower, change the shape of a clay figure or decide to crochet a bright blue cow simply because it makes me smile.

There isn't always a logical reason behind those choices.

Sometimes creativity is simply about trusting yourself enough to follow your own instincts.

In a world where we're constantly looking for the "right" answer, hobbies remind us that there can be many right answers and sometimes the most meaningful ones are the ones that come from simply following our curiosity.

Hobbies Build Confidence and Connection

Finally, I think hobbies offer us two more wonderful gifts: they can quietly build our confidence and help us feel more connected to other people.

There is something incredibly satisfying about creating something with your own hands.

Whether it's a painting, a knitted scarf, a loaf of fresh bread or a tiny clay figure, you begin with a collection of simple materials and, through patience and practice, transform them into something that didn't exist before.

Every completed project is a small reminder that you are capable of learning, growing and creating. You don't have to become an expert or produce something worthy of a gallery. The simple act of trying something new, making mistakes and gradually improving can do wonders for your confidence and sense of self-belief.

Hobbies can also open the door to meaningful social connection.

Whether you join a local craft group, a woodworking class, a gardening club or an online community dedicated to your latest creative obsession, you're immediately surrounded by people who share a common interest. Conversations often flow more naturally because you already have something in common.

One of the things I hear from clients more than ever before is how lonely life can feel. Many tell me they find it difficult to meet new people or build genuine friendships as adults. Once we leave school or university, opportunities to connect with others don't always happen as easily as they once did.

A hobby won't solve loneliness overnight, but it can provide a gentle and natural way to meet like-minded people. Friendships often begin with something as simple as asking, "How did you make that?" or "Where did you learn to do this?"

Sometimes it's not really the hobby that changes our lives.

It's the people we meet along the way.

Perhaps It's Time to Find Your Hobby Again

When we think about hobbies, it's easy to dismiss them as something we'll get around to "one day" when life is less busy.

But perhaps that's exactly the point.

Maybe hobbies aren't a reward for finally getting everything else done.

Maybe they're one of the things that helps us cope with everything else.

They invite us to slow down for a little while. They give our minds permission to rest, our hands something meaningful to do and our creativity room to breathe. Along the way they quietly build patience, confidence, curiosity and sometimes even new friendships.

You don't have to become an artist or produce anything worthy of an exhibition.

You don't have to sell it.

You don't even have to be particularly good at it.

You simply have to enjoy it.

So if you've been thinking about dusting off those knitting needles, buying that watercolour set, planting a vegetable garden, learning woodworking or finally trying that hobby you've been curious about for years, perhaps this is your sign.

Not because you'll create something perfect.

But because, in the process, you just might rediscover a part of yourself.

Perhaps that's why hobbies matter so much.

They remind us that life isn't only about being productive. Sometimes it's about being curious. About creating. About playing. About making something simply because it brings us joy.

And perhaps, in a world that constantly asks us to hurry, that's one of the healthiest things we can do.

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Written by Liz Anderson

Liz Anderson is a registered psychologist with more than 30 years' experience helping people manage stress, anxiety and life's challenges. She is the author of Stop Rushing Start Living and the founder of Slow Down With Liz, where she shares practical psychology, gentle reflections and simple strategies to help busy people reconnect with themselves and create calmer, more meaningful lives.

When she's not writing or seeing clients, you'll often find her creating book nooks, making something with polymer clay, walking in nature or dreaming up her next creative project.

References and Further Reading

Godman, H. (2024, January 1). Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-being

Fancourt, D., et al. (2023). Leisure hobbies and well-being among older adults across 16 countries. Nature Medicine, 29, 2233–2240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02506-1