Tip: Create a "Brag Book" To Keep You Inspired When You're Losing Your Way
It's easy to get lost when looking forward, trying to plan a creative career; remember to look back sometimes and learn from yourself. You already know a lot!! Tips and excerpts from my own book.
I am going through my archives and discovering so many things that I had forgotten about, things that are helpful to me in my current creative shifts. Sometimes I fail to remember things that I already learned in the past, and it’s helpful to have ways of looking back and seeing that I have skills and experiences and ideas that have worked before and might work again, things that are true to the core of me but maybe aren’t always right here at the surface.
For example, I’m looking back today at old reviews of Crochet Saved My Life. The reviews are nice, and I’ll share a selection of them below. But the point isn’t so much what’s said in the reviews as the experiencing of remembering how I generated all of those reviews and how I created that archive to look back on.
I self-published Crochet Saved My Life back in 2012. I didn’t know much about self-publishing but I did know that I wanted to reach as many people as possible within the crochet/craft community. This was before I had established expertise in the area of crochet-as-therapy but I was passionate about the topic and reached out to as many people online as possible to develop connections and relationships. I built this community from the ground up based on my true love for the topic and true desire to connect with others who felt the same way. It’s a great reminder to stay in touch with my center and my heart and my core and connect to people from that place no matter what it is that I am working on.
I get lost sometimes. If you’ve been following along with me on Substack for a little while, you’ve seen me lose my footing here and get confused. It’s easy to not know what to do moving forward but it can actually help a lot to look back.
In looking back, I realized that I really put a lot of effort into spreading the word about this book through that community, and it truly was organic as opposed to strictly a marketing effort. I did dozens of written interviews and my first podcast interview. I wrote guest posts for blogs and articles for magazines. I sent review copies out. And then I collected all of that material into an archive. The archive was just for myself, to keep track of everything going on with the book. It remains so helpful to me today.
Your Own Personal Brag Book
And although it’s slightly different, this reminds me of advice that I often give to others, but that I’m not sure I’ve written about specifically: keep a “brag book” to look back on periodically.
There are many different ways to do this but here’s the really important part:
The brag book should be deeply personal to you and filled only with things that truly make your heart well up with a sense of pride and connection to your work, your values, and your community.
So, this isn’t about collecting all of your awards and accolades. They might be in there, but only if they deeply resonate with your sense of self. My brag book includes a copy of my Masters degree in Psychological Studies because completing that program was one of the hardest things I ever did - emotionally, not academically. It means a lot to me. My Bachelors degree isn’t in there because it doesn’t have the same emotional resonance for me.
Some of the other things that I put into my personal brag book:
Messages (email, text, cards) from people who have expressed to me how my work has touched their lives … because this actually matters more to me than making tons of money at writing even though money is important for survival.
Reviews of my work that really get at the heart of what I was trying to do when I put something out into the world. Those “aha, they got it!” moments.
Excerpts of things I’ve written that I’m super proud of. Yes, I basically quote myself in my brag book. I include those few things that I read back and think “wow - I wrote that!!”
Fliers for events I was super proud to be part of and photos of the work or event
When I was 21, I won first prize in a ‘zine poetry contest and I received a $100 check and that convinced me that I could indeed make a living off of being a writer; a copy of that poem and check are in my brag book … I don’t put every prize or award in there but this one was significant; every time I see it, I remember again that if I do what I’m meant to do, the money will come, even if it seems paltry at times
Single page summaries of projects that were special to me
A brag book can be a physical scrapbook (which is what mine is) but it doesn’t have to be. It can be a digital scrapbook. It can be as easy as a photo folder on your phone or computer where you’ve captured screenshots of the things you want to keep.
Whenever you’re feeling down for whatever reason, you can look at this brag book, and in my experience, it always helps. It reminds me of where I’ve come from and what I’m capable of. It reminds me of the richness of the community I have around me. It reminds me of the things that really matter. Basically, it reminds me that my one journey is unique to me and that there are a lot of special moments along the way and the rest is really just noise, mostly self-created inside my own head, and anytime that I want to, I can quiet the noise and focus on the meaningful moments.
Crochet Saved My Life Reviews
Here are 26 excerpts from reviews of Crochet Saved My Life that I found in my archive. I can’t help but feel proud of that work when I see these collected. These are not all in my brag book; that project has its own full archive. But I’m going to print a couple of these that are super special to me and add that page to my brag book as a reminder.
"Several years ago I read the book Crochet Saved My Life. Being in a bad condition, feeling worthless after mobbing at work, I was impressed by all of those stories and how they women fought for their life and happiness.” - Monika from Germany, shared in the Mandalas for Marinke project
“This is a fabulous book detailing not just the author’s, but many others’, personal struggles with mental illness and highlighting how crochet (and crafting, more generally) served as a shining light. This book weaves personal stories with scientific research in an easy-to-read style. And, let me say, her personal story is shocking and fascinating! If you (or someone you know) struggles with a mental illness, you will instantly relate to the people featured in the book. And as a crocheter myself, I completely acknowledge the healing ability of the craft. However, the author’s key point is that doing concrete, hands-on work is therapeutic, and therefore would apply to a wide number of crafts/skills: gardening, cooking, sewing, painting… My only regret is the title of the book… I think having ‘crochet’ in the title limits the perceived audience of this book. It’s much bigger than just crochet! A wonderful read. I highly recommend it.” – Anastasia
Crochet World reviewed Crochet Saved My Life in the November 20th issue of their Talking Crochet newsletter. It says in part: “Crochet Saved My Life is a must-have for the bookshelves of any and all crochet enthusiasts, and Kathryn Vercillo’s easy-to-read writing style will carry you through this tome as though you are reading a novel.” This newsletter also later shared an email from reader Sandra who said: “I am so pleased to see a review of Crochet Saved My Life in this newsletter. I’m a retired mental health nurse, and I did try to teach patients to crochet. It is not easy, and I encourage others who already know to crochet. I keep spreading the word!”
“I was most impressed with the thoughtful, compassionate sharing of such personal details in the articles relaying the situations of other people. I found the additional information interesting and informative. The author shares her own personal experiences, the experience of a select number of other individuals, and also research studies done by others. In a section related to Alzheimer’s, one line that popped out at me was “The great thing about crochet is that there is always something new that you can learn.” My dad and two of my aunts had Alzheimer’s so this is a subject close to my heart. The studies mentioned in the book note that keeping the brain active may be a way to delay onset of this terrible disease. Of course it’s always a good idea to keep your brain active. If you need something calming, however, the author notes that you can create beautiful projects with the repetition of one or two stitches as well. My takeaway was that crochet has something to offer which can aid everyone, no matter the skill level or the physical, mental, or emotional challenges he or she is facing. I found the book to be thorough and honest in its coverage and would recommend it.” – Sandra Petit
“I am not a crocheter, but I love crafts in general. I also sometimes suffer from depression and I found this book to be very insightful. It is well written and well researched and I found it helpful for dealing with my own issues. It was great to read about these women’s struggles and how they learned to manage them. To be honest, even though I already craft, I now want to add crochet to my hobbies!” – Aimi
“What better endorsement for a book that to have it change your own life? My 82-year-old mother is starting to show signs of dementia and depression from being isolated in her house. After reading the sections on depression and dementia in the book, I went online and found a knitting and crocheting club (she use to crochet many years ago) that meets weekly and is only a couple of miles from her house! So for my weekly visit this week we are going yarn shopping and looking for some beginner patterns for baby blankets, etc., and next week I will go with her to the Knit Wits club to get her started on what will hopefully be a new chapter in her life. Thank you, Kathryn Vercillo, for writting such a pertinent book for women today!” – LBJ
“Kathryn Vercillo did something very courageous and extremely significant in writing this book. She gave voice to the many thousands (if not more) women (and men) who turn to crochet to make it through one more moment, one more hour and yes just one more day. At the same time she bore witness to the stories of some two dozen women who have used crochet to cope, heal and stay present as they deal with mental health issues, chronic disease, and mind bending grief. The bravest thing Kathryn did was to share her own journey with severe depression and then shower each page with the hope that each of us who has ever turned to crochet to keep our minds off the pain, the anguish, the fear of looking inside our own heads one more moment; she offers research and evidence that crochet can and does serve as a life saver. Thank you Kathryn for penning one of the most poignant, powerful and intrepid tomes on the subject crochet that I have ever had the pleasure to read.” – Laurie Wheeler of Crochet Liberation Front
“Kathryn Vercillo gives many accounts in Crochet Saved My Life of how crochet has helped others, from empowering a woman who was a victim of rape, to helping a woman who suffers from hallucinations keep her grip on reality, to comforting a woman who is going blind. This book is a must-read for any crocheter who has ever felt alone or like no one else understands. If you only have time to read one book this year, make it this one.” – Crochet Kitten
“This book written by Kathryn Vercillo is a labor of love and expertise. I feel a kindred spirit with Kathryn because she’s wrestled with deep depression and I feel even closer to her because she’s just brazen enough to talk about it, write about it, and be about it.” – Jen from The Pursuit of Sassiness
“I encourage you to have a look at Kathryn’s website and further information about this book, and possibly even order a copy! It’s a great way to support someone who is doing her utmost to explore and promote a popular handcraft in a way that hasn’t been investigated before, and it’s an interesting read as well.” – Lara of Thornberry
“Crochet Saved My Life discusses how crochet can be a healing tool used by individuals as well as in group settings. It outlines the specific therapeutic benefits and uses of crochet, making this an invaluable resource for occupational therapists, mental health professionals, and teachers – even those who do not crochet themselves.” – Moogly
“The book opens with Kathryn’s own battle with depression, and continues with one gripping and amazing story after another of despair and relief through crocheting. The book is also chock-full of scientific research, and it’s immediately obvious to anyone reading it that the message reaches far beyond crocheting: crafting, particularly tactile and engaging crafting, does wonders for the spirit. Grab this book if you’re stressed/anxious/depressed and are looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. Read it for inspiration from powerful women who have turned their lives around. If you have a friend/relative struggling with mental illness, read it as a way to gain insight into their experience- as Kathryn has a gift for putting into words ideas that usually remain hiding in the back of peoples’ minds. You might even want to read what’s inside this book so you’ll have an excuse for squeezing in more crocheting!” – Stacey Trock of FreshStitches
“When Kathryn finally released her book Crochet Saved My Life I was beyond thrilled. I’ve been waiting for the release of this book for quite sometime. In fact, I almost shared my story but ended up chickening out. Now, that I’ve read the many stories both within her book and throughout the web I am not so scared.” – Sara, Mom With a Hook. Note: Sara did go on to share her story on her blog and added this touching message, “I want to thank Kathryn Vercillo once again for baring her heart so that we can all know we are not alone. I’m glad to have crossed paths with her and also for the women who showed great strength in sharing their stories. Much healing is happening as a result of her book Crochet Saved My Life. As people find her book and share their own struggle more people are being healed. It doesn’t matter if it is through crochet or some other form of art or creative expression, sharing your story helps everyone.”
“I’m working my way slowly through your book. (I’ve read nothing since my brother’s death 6 years ago; I used to be an avid reader but now it takes me all my time to remember what I read after the page is turned). Can I just say that you’ve written my life in so many ways? Not exactly the same experiences or people, but the feelings, the emotions, and you’ve actually put into words what I was struggling to even acknowledge. Thank you. So much. From the bottom of my heart.” Beth of MumblesMummy
“The reason that this book is becoming so popular is because it’s a self help book that doesn’t talk down to readers. The people who contributed their stories are real and easy to relate to. Be sure to check out this heartwarming book and learn a bit about yourself as well. See if you need to pick up a hooking habit to help your health!” – Sarina Asheford, Examiner
“Kathryn’s book has been a Huge Help in my life and I hope she is adequately rewarded. Of course, she has all the love and gratitude from all the folks she has helped.” – Maryann Crusoe in a comment on my Crochet for Mindfulness guest post
“Anyone who needs a new hobby, something to help a disorder you are suffering from, or if you already enjoy crochet, I would say you should pick this up and at least read the sections that pertain to you. Or you can just read it the whole way through.” – Courtney Bauman book reviews
TracyAnn, who copes with depression, anxiety and PTSD recommends Crochet Saved My Life. She says: “The Women Who Hook to Heal…I can be included in this list of steadfast beautiful souls. The act of creating brings me so much joy. I share this with you and encourage you to purchase this book and share it with others.” - http://www.crochethappy.com/
“I would totally recommend this book to anyone, whether you are a crocheter, knitter, crafter, or know someone who is depressed or suffering from any of the conditions Kathryn discusses. It’s worth checking out!” – The Curious Pug
“These stories are inspiring and encouraging and filled with hope.” – Depression Getaway
“This easy-to-read book is a great resource for anyone you know that may need some additional help in healing and getting to a better place whether they crochet, enjoy other crafts or are just looking for someone else that is willing to share their story about the struggle with illness or mental health issues.” – Annette Graf, Examiner
“Your book was so comforting to me. I thank you so much for putting your life out there for us all to see, warts and all. Could not have been easy! I will recommend it to my ADD and OCD groups.” –Lynne Pedigo Riday-Reiter, Facebook comment
“I was not aware of the fact that there had been a lot of research about the benefits of crafting. This made me very aware of the importance for me. I survived several depressions, and off and on I have to fight a big battle when it recurs. Crafting helps me. This book helps me.” – Netheranne
Crochet Saved My Life was reviewed in the October 2012 issue of UK magazine Inside Crochet. The reviewer says, “Taking a first look at this title, you may worry it will be a bit, well, depressing. It is, after all, written by a woman who was saved from the brink of suicide by a crochet hook. But you’d be wrong to worry – this thought-provoking book is a must-read. It tells the stories of many people who have been healed in some way by craft and looks into the science of the healing nature of working with your hands.”
“Crochet Saved my Life will benefit many people. Kathryn Vercillo has included a wide range of disorders that can be helped with a skein of yarn and a crochet hook. I wasn’t surprised by the mental health and hand problems that were mentioned, but when I read about Restless Leg Syndrome I was not only surprised but very interested. Crochet Saved My Life is a fascinating look at an unusual form of therapy.” – Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers’ Favorite
“Crochet Saved My Life is a worthwhile read. As an avid crafter and crocheter, I found the book at times enlightening, and could relate to much of it. Vercillo’s ability to weave statistics and reports into her narrative is also impressive. Her tone is friendly and sensitive while also being professional and direct—she does not sugar-coat or play down the intensity that can be found within each individual condition she addresses. Nor does she attempt to trump modern medicine or therapy with the value of needlework. The author’s message, simple as it may be, is that the meditative power of crochet and knit could potentially bring a wealth of comfort and clarity to the suffering and the stressed. I, for one, could not agree more.” Caroline Comeaux Lee, Psych Central
If you read this far, perhaps you liked the work. The work does take work. It only continues with support, so please consider subscribing. My annual rate starts at $10 per year.
Love that brag book idea. Bookmarked!
This is a brilliant idea - thank you!