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Project Management - Dealing with Stress

The past few months I had started noticing a trend in my creative projects. I wasn't making good progress with them. At first it was little thing here and there because some of my normal routines saw a shake up. Then there was a big one, buying a home. It's one of the top stressors in life milestones. And I underestimated how much it would affect my mental state and my creative projects! 

The Stress Effect

The more we have going on, the smaller creative capacity. Since stress affects both body and mind, the necessary components for engaging in complex hobbies sees changes. Many aspects of crafting or costuming require concentration, focus, and hand-eye coordination. These are high level tasks that a person can't do well if they are tired, hungry, anxious, or upset. So, it's unwise to handle sharp tools in such a state! 

So what can you do to keep up with your projects? Especially if there's a deadline?!

Suggestions and Thoughts

As an aside, I'm not a mental health professional so my suggestions are going to be fairly generalized. But the number one thing to do is take care of yourself! We live in an age where finding help is much more convenient...although admittedly, price can still be a factor. It is equally important to learn HOW to find the right kind of help as it is to actually get it. 

When it comes to project management: 

  • Identify and focus on your most important projects 
  • Work on your less intense projects
  • Make shorter and more manageable to-do lists
  • Loosen any self-imposed restrictions
  • Establish a routine or find something you can have order around
  • Use destressing techniques like Journaling, gentle movement, emotional release, talk to a trusted person (or text), staying hydrated

Creative Relaxing Hobbies


If you find you don't have the drive to work on your favorite, creative hobby you can still exercise your creativity. 
  • Learn More. Research. There's got to be a technique you don't know. Watch some videos on it or read a blog/book. 
  • Learn something new. Try a different creative release you haven't tried before. See if there are studios or shops in town that have group painting or pottery or cooking. 
  • Yarn Craft: As long as you stay away from drama, knitting, crochet or spinning is sort of a Zen craft. Its repetition and slowly seeing something grow out of it is similar to some forms of prayer or meditation. I also find some forms of weaving like kumihimo (friendship bracelets) or lanyard weaving can having a similar repetitive effect. 
  • Drawing or Painting and abstract sculpting can be a great, kinetic emotional release. Or express something that words cannot. 
  • But sometimes words can help. Journaling, Poetry or Creative writing can be a way to express your struggle either directly or indirectly. 
  • Look for inspiration. If you've been stuck in the same 4 walls, it's time to find inspiration. Walking in nature, visiting a museum or library or book store, listening to music, watching a movie or TV series, reading, or even...just being bored. It's uncomfortable but when you quiet yourself instead of distract, you might find you can finally hear your muse. 
Look. Most of this is pretty generic advice, I'll admit. But it's been on my mind since it is why I haven't been posting as frequently. When I realized that house-buying stress was affecting my creative schedule and emotional state, I re-evaluated my schedule and plans. I reduced my projects that require high concentration like sewing and 3D Printing. I reduced how many projects I would attempt each month from 10 down to 3 - 5. I've made my crafting schedule a bit more flexible. I still like having days assigned to a craft because having fewer choices reduces my stress. I make shorter to do lists and make them bite sized tasks that are easy to check off so I have that sense of accomplishment. I'm also taking time to just relax, reach out to friends and family, praying, and trying to add structure to my work day. 

In the end, if your project management method is not serving you, it's time to look it over and determine if it is necessary at this season of life. I still need the routine and schedule because that's what keeps me grounded. But don't be afraid to take a bit of a vacation. 



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