In today’s fast-paced world, it’s common to experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress. However, there is a powerful tool that can help combat these negative emotions: creativity. When you do things you love, you will feel better. I found my happy place and that’s when I am being creative! I’m naturally a creative person but it was a part of me that was not given much attention.

One of the primary benefits of creativity is that it releases dopamine, a natural anti-depressant. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is associated with feelings of pleasure, motivation, and reward. When we engage in creative activities, our brain releases dopamine, which can help improve our mood and increase overall happiness.

In addition to releasing dopamine, creativity can also help deal with trauma. I know, because it has helped me to do so. Engaging in creative activities can provide a healthy outlet for processing and expressing difficult emotions, which can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Additionally, the act of creating can be therapeutic, as it allows you to focus on the present moment and escape from negative thoughts and feelings. I’ve been on a wonderful creative journey thanks to Cricut and I’d like to share this with you because I would love for you to experience the joy that it brings me:

“The Benefits of Being Creative with Cricut”

Even though Cricut has been around for many years, I honestly became aware of it just over two years ago. I am fortunate enough to be a Cricut Ambassador and if you have been following me on my social media channels, you probably already know this.

Cricut – not CRY-CUT – is pronounced like the sports game or the insect, “CRICKET”.

Cricut is a popular cutting machine that has become a go-to tool for DIY enthusiasts, scrapbookers, and artists. Not only is it a great tool for crafting, but it also has numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being, particularly in reducing stress. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that Self-love has been a challenge for me, thankfully my journey with Cricut has been instrumental literally! It has been the catalyst that has unleashed my creativity and is allowing me to do something I love.

One of the most significant benefits of creating with Cricut is that it provides a way to escape from daily life and focus on the present moment. By focusing on the task at hand, you can temporarily forget about the stress and worries in your life. This then leads to a decrease in cortisol levels and improve overall mental health.

Another benefit of using Cricut is that it can help boost self-esteem and confidence. When you create something beautiful and functional with your own hands, it can and does give you a sense of pride and satisfaction! This has a positive impact on your overall well-being. From the very first project I created with my first Cricut machine which was my Cricut Joy, to the various other projects I have made with my Cricut Maker 3, I am of course in awe of its capabilities but also so fulfilled to see my ideas come to life. I look at my creations in admiration and think to myself, “I made this, I actually made this.” It is rewarding intrinsically for me and this in itself is my motivation for trading some sleep for hours of crafting.

I have made a variety of custom/personalised items for my child, husband, family members and friends. I have used my Cricut machine to label school stationery, make stickers for school and create unique personalised party packs for birthdays. There’s so much more I still have to learn and want to create.

Here are a few of the things I’ve made:

Creating with Cricut can also provide an outlet for creativity and self-expression. Whether you are making cards, decorating your home, or scrapbooking memories, or creating a custom t-shirt, the process of creating with Cricut can help release endorphins, which promote feelings of happiness and well-being.

In addition to reducing stress, creating with Cricut can also be a form of physical activity. Cutting, weeding, and ironing the heat transfer vinyl can help improve dexterity and hand-eye coordination, which can be particularly beneficial for those who may not enjoy traditional forms of physical activity. Cricut has opened so many doors for me. I have been exposed to so many things in the creative sphere which I never heard of before! It’s been and still is a continuous learning journey. It’s also helped me kick off a small business to sell the items I creative with love.

Over and above what the Cricut machines themselves can do; I am proud to see how it has brought people together. From Ambassadors to Cricuteers and even non Cricuteers, from all walks of life, an amazing community has been formed and is growing rapidly and fastest on the Cricut Family South Africa Facebook Group. When I joined it about a year ago, there was just under 5k members in the group. It’s currently sitting at just under 35k members at the time of this post! It’s a community where ideas are shared and inspired. It’s a community where members guide and support each other, with questions asked and answered, with tips and tricks shared. There’s challenges and incentives with opportunities to win Cricut machines and/or consumables.

I’m so glad that Cricut has been introduced in South Africa and better late than never. I do wish that more schools, community groups, companies of course individuals will see how Cricut can help them lead more creative lives and how they will also be able to do things they love – by creating with Cricut!

In conclusion, both creativity and Cricut have numerous benefits for mental and physical health. By providing a way to escape from daily life, boosting self-esteem, and providing an outlet for creativity and self-expression, both creativity and Cricut can help reduce stress and lead to a healthier and happier life.

I’ve found and shared my happy place – by doing something I love and that’s by being creative and creating with Cricut, I’d love to encourage you to practice self-love and to do things you love. If you would like to know more about Cricut, feel free to reach out to me, I’ll be delighted to share with you when I will be doing a Demo Day at a Retailer and you can come and see for yourself what these machines can do!

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