Comments on: Newest Knitty Column: Call Me Crazy. http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154 One (gay) man's journey into the world of knitting and fiber arts. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:39:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: sw33t4tea http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-17667 sw33t4tea Fri, 19 Oct 2007 01:47:21 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-17667 David, I read your article on Knitty after finding the site on a random search and wanted to thank you for writing this after finding the link to your blog. I've been dealing with my own struggle with anxiety/depression since April; therapy & an anti-depressant seem to be helping, but I still have those very gray days. Knitting has been both my solace and my suffering. When things get bad, I pick up my needles and one of many UFOs that I have laying around and, as I knit, I can let everything seep out through my fingers with every stitch. But there are also many times where all I can do is just look at my needles and look at my knitting books, feeling the urge but not being able to. One special project in particular is suffering because of this. I can only hope I can complete it. I am currently employed as a secretary in a mental health facility and I truly believe that it takes great courage and strength for any person to be open about dealing with depression, anxiety, and the like. After reading your story, I believe you have both in great quantities. Your experience has given me some hope that things will get better. I wish you the best as you continue your journey and your knitting. Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one. David,

I read your article on Knitty after finding the site on a random search and wanted to thank you for writing this after finding the link to your blog. I’ve been dealing with my own struggle with anxiety/depression since April; therapy & an anti-depressant seem to be helping, but I still have those very gray days.

Knitting has been both my solace and my suffering. When things get bad, I pick up my needles and one of many UFOs that I have laying around and, as I knit, I can let everything seep out through my fingers with every stitch. But there are also many times where all I can do is just look at my needles and look at my knitting books, feeling the urge but not being able to. One special project in particular is suffering because of this. I can only hope I can complete it.

I am currently employed as a secretary in a mental health facility and I truly believe that it takes great courage and strength for any person to be open about dealing with depression, anxiety, and the like. After reading your story, I believe you have both in great quantities. Your experience has given me some hope that things will get better.

I wish you the best as you continue your journey and your knitting. Thank you for letting me know I’m not the only one.

]]> By: Laura http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-17642 Laura Thu, 18 Oct 2007 13:37:50 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-17642 I don't quite know how to tell you how fantastic your article is. Being honest about unpleasant things is so difficult, and I really admire you for what you have done. I hope that you will continue to share your experience when you're ready - we all need positive role models like you! I don’t quite know how to tell you how fantastic your article is. Being honest about unpleasant things is so difficult, and I really admire you for what you have done. I hope that you will continue to share your experience when you’re ready – we all need positive role models like you!

]]> By: Knittin Chick http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-17343 Knittin Chick Sat, 13 Oct 2007 23:26:08 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-17343 I just googled Long Tail Cast On video as I couldn't figure it out myself and came across your blog and video! Amazingly helpful but even bigger than that, your article on Knitty described the journey that I have been on in the past few months. It's so encouraging to know that others have struggled with short attention spans and are suddenly dealing with things they never dealt with before. Along with a break from work, medication and the help of an excellent psychologist, I now that there is a gift through this season... one of them being looking forward to another season where there is hope and more attention span and an ability to help others again. But more importantly, learning the things that are truly important and those things that I used to think were important but are not anymore. Keep up the great work! You're encouraging:-) I just googled Long Tail Cast On video as I couldn’t figure it out myself and came across your blog and video! Amazingly helpful but even bigger than that, your article on Knitty described the journey that I have been on in the past few months. It’s so encouraging to know that others have struggled with short attention spans and are suddenly dealing with things they never dealt with before.

Along with a break from work, medication and the help of an excellent psychologist, I now that there is a gift through this season… one of them being looking forward to another season where there is hope and more attention span and an ability to help others again. But more importantly, learning the things that are truly important and those things that I used to think were important but are not anymore.

Keep up the great work! You’re encouraging:-)

]]> By: Rita http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-17060 Rita Tue, 09 Oct 2007 03:46:59 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-17060 I'm sorry you've felt so bad. I can understand a bit what you've been going through. Take care. I’m sorry you’ve felt so bad. I can understand a bit what you’ve been going through. Take care.

]]> By: Jelinore http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-16930 Jelinore Mon, 08 Oct 2007 00:14:37 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-16930 I have been on such a journey more than a few times in my life. It goes without saying that you have my compassion - but even more so - you have my gratefulness. You affirmed that the healing time, time spent observing the beauty, color and wisdom that is art, was time well spent. You are a wonderful writer. Be well. I have been on such a journey more than a few times in my life. It goes without saying that you have my compassion – but even more so – you have my gratefulness. You affirmed that the healing time, time spent observing the beauty, color and wisdom that is art, was time well spent.

You are a wonderful writer. Be well.

]]> By: Stacie http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-16457 Stacie Tue, 02 Oct 2007 22:51:16 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-16457 David, Just to add my admiration and support to the large crowd of commenters. I also found your knitty article inspiring and hope that you find knitting a common denominator in your recovery from depression. Once you can keep the needles in your hands for a little while, it starts to do its magic. Cheers, ;^) Stacie David,
Just to add my admiration and support to the large crowd of commenters. I also found your knitty article inspiring and hope that you find knitting a common denominator in your recovery from depression. Once you can keep the needles in your hands for a little while, it starts to do its magic.
Cheers, ;^)
Stacie

]]> By: WeeBit Wonky http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-16394 WeeBit Wonky Mon, 01 Oct 2007 19:03:58 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-16394 Thank you. I read your article and kept thinking...'my god, he is describing me'––you penned it all so well. I suppose I am on the other side of severe clinical depression...at least today. Depression is a Snarky Bastard that loves to sneak up on me...but now I can honestly say I recognize and can battle that bastard! Again... Thank you. Thank you for reminding me––on a day when I so needed reminding––how far I have come. Enjoy the journey Thank you. I read your article and kept thinking…’my god, he is describing me’––you penned it all so well. I suppose I am on the other side of severe clinical depression…at least today. Depression is a Snarky Bastard that loves to sneak up on me…but now I can honestly say I recognize and can battle that bastard! Again… Thank you. Thank you for reminding me––on a day when I so needed reminding––how far I have come.
Enjoy the journey

]]> By: OtherAmy http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154&cpage=1#comment-16193 OtherAmy Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:50:21 +0000 http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/?p=154#comment-16193 Okay- you're crazy! But I was, too, once (and maybe I still am!) At the time I went to pieces, I was very involved in photography, and while my mental breakdown led to a photographic breakdown (and I've long since left that world behind), I believe I did some of my best work in those days, and that the still-lifes I did are incredibly reflective of my own mindset at the time. No, there weren't dark and scary pictures of moping, teary-eyed young women, but rather a collection of "found object" and other images that focus on a single, small, otherwise insignificant subject, barely coming into focus, and hinting at something else happening just out of frame. Although I've left that world behind, looking back at those photos reminds me that beauty- small, quiet, easilu-overlooked beauty- can still exist in a well of despair. Thanks for sharing your story! Okay- you’re crazy! But I was, too, once (and maybe I still am!) At the time I went to pieces, I was very involved in photography, and while my mental breakdown led to a photographic breakdown (and I’ve long since left that world behind), I believe I did some of my best work in those days, and that the still-lifes I did are incredibly reflective of my own mindset at the time. No, there weren’t dark and scary pictures of moping, teary-eyed young women, but rather a collection of “found object” and other images that focus on a single, small, otherwise insignificant subject, barely coming into focus, and hinting at something else happening just out of frame. Although I’ve left that world behind, looking back at those photos reminds me that beauty- small, quiet, easilu-overlooked beauty- can still exist in a well of despair. Thanks for sharing your story!

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