Here is the next of the beautiful, inspiring, special contributions coming in to the #MandalasForMarinke remembrance project. I am grateful for each and every amazing contribution. You are invited to join; learn more here.
Beautiful Crochet Mandala
This delightful crochet mandala is made using a beautiful four-color repeat of bold pink, bright blue, golden orange and light blue. The pink and orange pop between the rows of blue crochet.
Meet the Maker
This crochet mandala was submitted by someone in the UK who wishes to remain anonymous. I think it’s very important to recognize that people are in different stages of their own life stories and sometimes wish to remain anonymous or partially anonymous when participating in projects such as this. I believe wholeheartedly that people should honor their own needs when it comes to the ways in which they share.
This anonymous contributor shared:
“Thinking about you Wink. Loved your work. Your blog and all the wonderful colors of your work always lifted my spirits. You will be missed by so many who never met you but whose lives you touched. Much love.”
Words by Wink
Just a fun fact about Wink today who shared on her blog on 2/11/12:
“I don’t subscribe to the magazines I read. (Flow and Mollie Makes are my regulars). I like the experience of going down to the bookstore and finding them on the shelf.”
She describes Flow as “a Dutch magazine quite similar to Mollie Makes; it’s super crafty and all about things like mindfulness and taking time to do what you like. It often comes with ‘freebies’ such as little notebooks, coloring pages, window stickers and what not. It’s really awesome; if it was in English I’d totally recommend it to you!”
As of March 2012, Wink was storing her magazines in her living room inside of a yellow vintage suitcase.
About Depression
One purpose of this project is to raise awareness about depression so each post will end with some facts, thoughts or quotes about depression, suicide and/or mental health. Today I want to share some quick tips for daily habits that you can cultivate to help offset depression:
- Get enough sleep. I know from personal experience that this can be hugely difficult because depression often causes insomnia. However, if you can, get enough sleep. Take naps as needed. At the very least, take time to rest.
- Eat right. It’s not always easy to do but eating a well-balanced nutritional diet, making sure to get enough of all of your daily vitamins, can go a long way towards improving your mood even as you battle depression. If you’re on meds, take them properly. If they aren’t working, work with your doctor to find what does.
- Drink water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol. I’m absolutely guilty of not abiding by this simple, important tip. I drink coffee every morning and I rarely get enough water. But I’m working on it because I know that it helps.
- Keep a daily journal. You might find it helpful to vent your feelings and emotions. You may feel better if you write lists of what you are thankful for. Or you may just want to jot notes each day on how you’re feeling and why you might be feeling that way.
- Meditate or pray. I once heard a talk from a Muslim woman who said that her favorite part of the religion is that she stops to pray for peace five times per day. She said that even if she didn’t believe in any other part of her faith, she thinks her own personal world would change just by pausing five times per day and focusing on peace. Prayer and meditation can take many forms, even the form of mindful crochet, and can be hugely healing.
- Let people know how you are feeling. Check in regularly with the people who love you. Tell them when you’re up and when you’re down. This helps because it’s a form of social connection and it also helps because these people might notice symptoms of depression in you before you notice them yourself.
HelpGuide.org has some more great tips for living well with depression.
All contributions to Mandalas for Marinke are welcome and will help raise awareness about depression while honoring her work in the same way that this great contribution has done today. Details to join here.