I have entered that stage of life where I need to keep my hands busy in order for my brain to work. I’m not sure when this happened. It was about the same time as when all the kids talking or playing their different video games simultaneously in the van or room with me started sending my head into fits and giving me panic attacks. I think it hit about a year ago, when I turned 45. My mind just couldn’t concentrate on what folks were saying – from the preacher on Sunday morning to my husband and kids talking to even listening to a podcast. That coupled with other symptoms have led me and my doctor the diagnosis of perimenopause, but regardless of why the problem, if I don’t want to take hormones or more medicine for it, I needed to find a fix. And I finally did when I started keeping my hands busy.

I listen to podcasts now while driving and doing dishes. And crochet has become my constant companion. I take a small crochet project with me everywhere I can because I can focus on what other people are saying while my hands are busy crocheting. My kids think I’m crazy, well even more crazy than before, but crocheted stuffed animals have shown up all over the place. I am currently crocheting multiple “dumpster fires” for my husband to give to his co-workers as they muddle through some frustrating programming they’ve been battling for years. I’m also working on a scarf, 2 blankets (need to do a lot more blankets before Christmas), and am trying to figure out which new “Wooble” I can make. (By the way, if you are at all interested in crochet, check out TheWoobles.com). But all this crocheting has left me with a new sense of focus that I desperately needed. It may sound silly, but keeping my hands busy is working for me.

So, here’s an idea if you’re struggling to focus lately – are you keeping your hands busy? Keeping your mind busy? We have to find what works for us as we all change and our bodies change throughout time.

Stacy