It was a special day for all of us. The artisans at MonAmi Foundation, the facilitator and the founders. We had a date to discuss and share our learnings on mental wellness.
The day was slow to start as the ladies came in bit by bit after finishing their morning errands at home, bank errands and take care of the younger ones who were either in exam mode or under the seasonal weather changes.
Soon the hall was buzzing with the presence of over 30 artisans ranging from 20- to 60-year-olds. And they were so there, with sparkling eyes, crochet needles and yarn. Some busy multitasking as they listen and participate and some taking the break to just listen and share. Some looked worried initially and some were happy go lucky from the word go. These women are heroines of their own lives. If you really ask, theirs is a story of resilience. Migrant women, many uneducated who moved into the city looking for work they were caught in the cycle of poverty, lack of empowerment and low self confidence a few years
back. Mostly they were home-bound and did not know how they could contribute to the financial well-being of their families.
The training and opportunity came from MonAmi, where they learnt crocheting skills and started to make beautiful handcrafted toys, dolls and crafts that are lovingly distributed all over the world. This gave them an opportunity to work from home, earn for every piece they make and save for themselves and their families. Most of the women who attended the workshop were working for a few years in this craft.
However, women are prone to carry an excessive emotional and physical burden and this can take a toll on their mental health. The workshop was to help them begin the mental reset. A tall ask, a humble beginning. Here’s what unfolded as discussions and learnings.
The Mental Stress of Work
The discussion explored the mental states with which we start a task. Some ladies shared how when they work to finish the task as quickly as possible and, in a rush, they tend to make mistakes. Sometimes hurry and rush is the cause for our stress.
Artisan: The first thing I think of while sitting down to work is how quickly can I complete this task. I don’t leave it until I finish it.
The facilitator introduced the concept of starting the piece of work with 3 deep breaths and a soft prayer that this work I do will be done beautifully. She explained how our brains function more clearly when we work mindfully giving adequate oxygen and time for cognitive processing. Less mistakes means the work gets done easily and less stress overall.
The ladies practiced by taking a few deep breaths with the out-breath being significantly longer than the in-breath. A simple hack that takes a few minutes can change the flow of the entire day.
Food and Nourishment for Mental Wellness:
It is noticed that many men and women consume addictive stimulants to counter their stress. Numerous cups of tea are an accepted norm in many households. Some artisans shared how the senior women in their homes smoke a pack of beedis through the day.
Mental wellness is also about what you consume in your body. You are what you eat and this includes all the food and drink in the house. As most of the women took care to cook home meals for their family, they may consume multiple cups of tea to refresh themselves. This aspect was discussed to make them more aware of how caffeine may be adding to their stress and also impacting their sleep.
Children spending time on gadgets is a source of stress:
This is a common stressor for all strata of society. Children and adults find an easy escape to their everyday challenges in their phones and gadgets. Post covid, most schools send work in WhatsApp class groups making it essential for children to access these devices. And soon it turns into an addiction. This is the cause for arguments in many families of all social classes.
Artisan: As the entire family including the husband is also on a gadget, how do you correct the child?
The facilitator helped them understand the reasons children seek devices. And multiple ways to unhook them gently without scolding them. The specific request to reduce gadgets is important, what is also important is how this request is delivered to the child. Children are like sensors of the mother’s heart. They know when she is angry, when she is threatening a punishment and does not mean it and when she is actually upset. They also know when she is being patient and telling them the right things in the right way. They respond only to the last statement, right things said in the right way. They also respond to good role modelling and honest parenting. The artisans listened and nodded in agreement, “Sirf sahee bolna kafee nahi hai, sahee tarah se bolna bhi zaroori hai”! And to calm yourself and say things calmly in a helpful way, it’s the same trick to take three deep breaths before speaking. It helps you pause, calm and then choose your words carefully.
Crocheting in community spaces as a way to connect and de-stress
The artisans often meet in the evenings near their homes and sit in groups to crochet together. This gives them a sense of community, a space to talk, connect and relieve their everyday stressors. Many ladies seem to enjoy this community experience and encouraged
others to join.
However, these communities can become malicious if they focus on gossip or talking about each other behind their backs.
Artisan: “Logon ko doosre ghar me kya ho raha hai, uskee zyada chinta hai. Apne ghar pe dhyan dete to kam problems hote...”
The artisan caught the essence of why people avoid communities despite their obvious social benefits. The facilitator directed the discussion towards what makes chit-chat a positive experience and how the artisans can avoid being caught in a toxic gossip circuit. The artisans also shared the mental and physical benefits they experienced while working on their crochet assignments as a community. They felt lighter, had a sense of focus and accomplishment, had better financial acumen and gained in emotional and mental well-being.
A Joyous Conclusion
The day ended on a high note as the women danced to old and new Bollywood songs like Uthe Sabke Kadam and Radhe Radhe. Their laughter and energy filled the room, reinforcing the importance of community, self-care, and joy in everyday life.
This workshop was just a small step in a much larger journey toward mental wellness. As we continue to support these artisans, we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and potential within each of them.
Written by:Dr. Srividya