This sketchbook project helped me find both the flow and rest I needed to ward off exhaustions and burnout. Initially I felt pretty stumped by the sketchbook prompt ‘Unfolding Parallel Landscapes’, but in fact it turned out to be a real gift. It came at a time when I was feeling swamped by work, and struggling to switch off in the evenings and weekends. I needed something absorbing and challenging to help me unhook from the equally absorbing challenges of my work. Figuring out what I was going to create, and how, was just the project I needed at that time.
I took my lead from the original piece for this sketchbook, a complex abstract line drawing. It was cleverly constructed with a slit in the middle so that it can be folded in a variety of ways, while keeping the drawing flowing. This was the work of artist Morgan Davy, and inspired by lyrics from an Ugly Duckling track: “On a journey to anywhere you can draw your own map”.
I decided to create a stitched version of this, choosing a fairly stiff black fabric base, with contrasting neon yellow thread. It was an opportunity to get my sewing machine out to overlock the edges, and figure out how to create a massive button hole through the middle – replicating the slit in the paper without the fabric fraying too much.
Next I had to figure out how to transfer the design onto the fabric. Having chosen black fabric this was a bit tricky. After doing some research I decided to try water-soluble embroidery stabiliser, photocopying the original design onto it. This worked really well and I was left feeling pretty chuffed with myself.
Finding flow
I did this over a weekend and noticed how it helped me let go of work, and rest my brain. It was very absorbing and just the right level of challenge to keep me focused, while also being rewarding. This is a good example of activating a state of flow.
The flow state was first described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, and has been defined thus:
Flow is a mental state in which a person is fully immersed in an activity, with a sense of energised focus, full involvement, and enjoyment in the process.
Studies have shown that flow states are associated with improved wellbeing and reduced stress, depression, and burnout. There are six key elements that define the flow state:
1. Focus on the present
When you’re in flow, your attention narrows. Distractions fade, and you become fully immersed in the task at hand — whether it’s stitching, painting, coding, dancing, or solving a tricky puzzle. There are many similarities here with mindfulness.
2. Merging of action and awareness
You stop overthinking. Instead of being self-conscious, you become one with the activity. It feels smooth, instinctive, and almost automatic — like your body and mind are perfectly aligned. This gives your brain a rest from doing and thinking, allowing you to just be.
3. A sense of control
Even if the task is difficult, there’s a calm confidence — a feeling that you’re in command of your actions and can influence the outcome. It’s challenging, but not overwhelming.
4. Time feels… different
Time can fly by without you noticing. What felt like 20 minutes might have been three hours. That distortion is a hallmark of being in flow.
5. The joy is in the doing
Flow is intrinsically rewarding. You’re not in it for the outcome or the praise — you’re doing it because the activity itself feels good. It’s meaningful, engaging, and fulfilling in the moment.
6. Challenge meets skill
This is the sweet spot: the task is demanding, but your skills are up to the challenge. If it’s too easy, you get bored. Too hard, and anxiety creeps in. Flow lives right in that middle ground.
Flowing into rest
The next stage of this project was the stitching. All I needed to do here was follow the lines with a simple backstitch. Again this felt like it was just what I needed. Having been able to unhook from work pressures I noticed how tired I actually was. The simple, repetitive task of stitching helped me slow down. It gave me permission to pause at the end of the day as the busy part of my mind could still feel like it was being productive, while my body slowed down. I also found there was something quite comforting in following someone’s else’s guide-lines. This enabled cognitive rest, as I didn’t need to make any decisions – just put one stitch in front of the other.
When we’re exhausted that’s often all we can manage – just one foot in front of the next, taking each day or hour at a time. It can be so helpful during these times to lean on familiarity and routine. We might need to go back to basics and simplify things – lower expectations and let go of obligations for a while. Perhaps return to comforting hobbies that bring us joy without effort – picking up those knitting needles, or watching old Friends episodes.
It’s comforting too to know that others have been here before you, and have come through. Just like the design I was stitching, I could be confident that it was going to turn out okay as someone else had plotted this course before me. Being able to connect to the common humanity inherent in our suffering, ask for, and accept help are all important acts of self-compassion.
Unfolding restoration
Finally, I could soak the piece in water and enjoy the satisfying reveal of the bright stitches against the dark fabric. It was fun too to see how folding it in different ways altered the design. Reflecting on this it was a great project for what I needed at the time – creative restoration. The initial stages were challenging and absorbing to grab my attention and hook me away from work rumination, through finding flow. Then the stitching phase invited the slowing down and rest that I hadn’t quite realised I needed. It also felt meaningful to connect with someone else through deeply appreciating their creative work. This is why I am so passionate about craft and creative practice as a key feature of a burnout prevention toolkit – the versatility to respond to a range of needs with very accessible tools.
Take a moment to consider what you need right now – is it full immersion in something very distraction, something effortless to help you slow down, or a mixture of both flow and rest? If you’d like to learn more about nurturing self-care through knitting check out our audio course Self Care One Stitch at a Time.
If you enjoyed this, you can find the rest of the Sketchbook Circle Series here.
