Finding calm in a busy world

This is the first time I have spoken about this. I found calligraphy during a very troublesome time of my life. I was 22 years old and I was living in Leeds with my then-boyfriend. I often found myself excited to go to work. I wanted to stay as far away from my ‘home’ as possible. I have always been creative and I loved learning new things. I found calligraphy and I was keen to learn. Looking back, I used it as a coping mechanism. I absorbed calligraphy every single day and it helped keep my mind busy, productive and gave me a sense of achievement as I started to improve. It’s the best thing that I ever started. I gained a forever skill, I gained confidence, I built a career and I gained the courage to quit my job, move back home with Mum and Dad and build a calligraphy based career. It was a really hard period of my life but finding calligraphy and focusing on myself was the best thing I ever did. I recommend calligraphy or finding a creative hobby to anybody who needs a break, a distraction or a big hug.

 How calligraphy benefits our mental health:

1. Stress Reduction
Whenever I teach a workshop, I guarantee that somebody will say “It feels like therapy”. Engaging deliberate, rhythmic movements of calligraphy can induce a state of relaxation, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety.

2. Mindfulness
With calligraphy, you are forced to slow down and to concentrate on how to make certain movements. With this, calligraphy promotes mindfulness, helping to quiet the mind and increase present-moment awareness.

3. Creative Expression
Calligraphy serves as a creative outlet, allowing you to express yourself artistically and connect with your emotions through the beauty of writing. I’d recommend practising at least every 2 weeks to see vast improvement, The Calligraphy Room prompts you to create and learn every single month.

4. Sense of Accomplishment
Take progress pictures throughout your calligraphy journey. Whether it has been a month, two months or over a year; you will find that your calligraphy keeps getting better and it is the best feeling.

5. Calligraphy Community
Joining calligraphy groups or workshops gives you social connections and a sense of belonging, which are vital for mental health and emotional support. The Calligraphy Room is the best as it offers an online and in-person community filled with kind, likeminded people.

Incorporating calligraphy into your routine can be a therapeutic and fulfilling practice, promoting a healthier mind and greater sense of inner peace. I’d recommend it to anybody.

Look after yourself,
Kate