The Quiet Power of Cross-Stitch When Life Feels Overwhelming
Burnout. That heavy, slow-creeping fog that sneaks up and suddenly makes everything -from the laundry to the work you usually love- feel like a mountain to climb in slippers.
As a solo creative, a mum of two (with very different and very wonderful needs), and someone juggling neurodivergence alongside the chaos of everyday life, I know burnout intimately. And weirdly? Cross-stitch -this seemingly tiny, meticulous, quiet little craft- has become one of my greatest teachers in managing it.
One Stitch at a Time (Literally)
There's something incredibly grounding about making one stitch, then another, and another. Cross-stitch forces you to slow down and focus on the now. It's hard to spiral about your endless to-do list or tomorrow's meltdown (yours or your kids'!) when you're counting squares and threading a needle through Aida.
It's mindfulness, but with floss.
And when your brain is buzzing a million miles an hour (hello, ADHD), that forced calm is gold.
Mistakes Happen. And That's Okay
You miscount. You pick the wrong shade. Your thread knots up in a way that makes you question everything you've ever known about embroidery floss.
I used to get so frustrated when things didn't go perfectly. But cross-stitch has gently (and sometimes not-so-gently) reminded me that mistakes don't mean failure — they mean you're human. Sometimes you unpick. Sometimes you adapt. Sometimes you leave it and move on.
And isn't that a metaphor for life if ever there was one?
Progress > Perfection
I've had pieces that took me months to finish. Not because they were overly complex — but because life happened. I'd pick them up when I could, do a little, then put them down again.
Burnout has this way of making you feel like you're never doing enough. But cross-stitch taught me that slow progress is still progress. You don't need to finish the whole pattern in one go to be proud of it. Just like you don't need to "fix" everything in your life overnight to be okay.
The Power of Crafty Community
One of my absolute favourite things about running Two Little Kits is connecting with other stitchers. Whether it's chatting in my Facebook group, answering a comment on Instagram, or sending off a physical kit to someone starting their stitching journey — it all reminds me I'm not alone.
Burnout thrives in isolation, but community smothers it in support, understanding, and a shared love of thread and fabric.
(Also, let's be honest: sometimes the memes alone are enough to pull you out of a funk.)
Stitching = Self-Kindness
I used to feel guilty for sitting and stitching when I "should" be doing something productive. But now I know: cross-stitch is productive. It's just a different kind of productivity: the kind that fills your cup, steadies your breath, and reminds you that you deserve quiet moments too.
If you're feeling stuck or in a funk and want cross-stitch to do some heavy-lifting to get you back on your feet (so to say), I want to invite you to check out my mental health toolbox page for some tips & tricks & tools you can use.
If You're Burnt Out Right Now…
Try picking up something small and stitchy. Not for your business, not for a gift, not for Instagram — just for you.
It doesn't have to be fancy. It just has to be yours.
Each little “×” is a moment of calm, a breath, a step back toward feeling like you again.
If you're looking for something beginner-friendly or just want an easy win, you might enjoy browsing my cross-stitch pattern collection or reading my post on how to mount your finished cross-stitch on sticky board.
And if embroidery is more your speed, I've got stitch tutorials for that too.
Sending you thread-coloured hugs and gentle reminders to rest.
— Kate 🧡
