Defy the Ordinary: Knot Your Way to Sustainable Wellness
- BeLight
- Aug 17
- 10 min read
Hi All, I’ve been immersed in some creative projects but I wanted to create some time to discuss the new Boho & Knots macramé doll collections I’ve been working; working on them has been truly inspiring and motivating in ways I actually didn’t anticipate. While making macramé wall-hangings, mandalas, and plant pot holders (etc.) are some of my most favorite projects to work on, lately I’ve been immersed in making dolls and exploring the many ways I've been called to use and share them as part of the Boho & Knots wellness offerings. As some background, when I made my first macramé doll, it really didn’t turn out right. In fact, I almost took it as a sign to stick to the designs that were more home décor and accessory related. The first doll also made me a bit concerned that the dolls may be misinterpreted (more so because the first one really was scary looking - I have to be honest). I am not sure what happened, but it didn't work out the way I wanted.
Yet, something within me kept bringing me back to the idea of creating the dolls. So, I leaned in with curiosity and the learning objective to try again, and see what happens.
The second time around, it worked better than I thought. Yet, not just because I got the heads to stay on straight and not because I got the proportions of the arms and legs right, but because putting the dolls together opened up so many more creative ideas; ones I initially wasn’t thinking of. While I recognized I would be able to add macramé dolls to my portfolio and creative repertoire list, it also dawned on me that they are actually perfect for a new macramé workshop project or as a multi-day macramé program or wellness retreat.
Additionally, these dolls also serve as an additional way to facilitate the process of sensory integration and engagement (to promote wellbeing) based on the many creative and organically stimulating elements such as: tactile and kinesthetic (hands on) learning, the visual stimulation related to textures and colours involved, and the calming mindfulness that comes through with repetitive patterns (which is actually meditative). This is the core and central area of my macramé work; helping to elevate it’s profile as a unique (unordinary), yet effective, modality to improve wellness.
As well, like with working on other projects, creating the macramé dolls adds layers to the immersive experiences noted above because participants can make the dolls as tangible representations of their current selves, a future self they aspire to be, or as someone they love, admire, lost or that they wish to meet someday.
Now, I have to be honest, I really didn’t think I was going to enjoy the process of making the dolls; initially my decision to make another attempt to create a doll was mostly about me challenging myself to prove that I could do it (rather than giving up after the first failed attempt). Yet, as I began working on the dolls the second time around, I was surprised to discover I actually really enjoyed the process. What I also noticed was, the related experience unexpectedly brought me through a journey of self-exploration, presented me with an unexpected opportunity sense things I don’t get to while working on other projects, and it introduced a new way to help make “the spectrum” of our differences, or neurodiversity, more relatable.
While some of these same concepts, which are tied mindfulness and awareness, are also present while working on other macramé pieces, they were amplified with the dolls; partly because unlike other designs and projects, making and seeing the dolls invites us to consider so many things about ourselves, people in general, and those we know and see often: hair style and texture, skin tone and related ethno-cultural factors, height and size etc. This intrigued me so much. As such, I began exploring additional ways the dolls could be used to promote divergence in people, not just in terms of common physical features, but in terms of more nuanced neurodiversity traits and how they show up in the people around us (but aren’t often tied to conversations about neurodiversity); such as, our preference for style of dress or fashion sense (including colours, fabrics, patterns; even where we prefer to shop etc.). We don’t commonly consider these things as examples or indicators of neurodiversity, yet the clothing we enjoy wearing is one of the more noticeable indicators of one’s neurodivergence. What we wear is a part of a pattern that differs us from others. What we wear is related to what we believe is most accessible to us; what resonates most with our divergent sensibilities. What we wear sends and receives signals in our external environment what aligns most with our unique design or blueprint on a very innate and subconscious level. It’s quite interesting if you think about it. What we choose to adorn ourselves is not just about comfort, or attempting to impress, or wanting to stand out; it’s about what is most compatible with our systems and way of being with minimal interference (barriers). Our hairstyles is another. Our social circle is another. Our preferences for mates and partners are others. The places we frequent is another. The careers or vocations we explore. The things we enjoy consuming (ie: eating, drinking, music, media, etc.) are others. Our hobbies are another. Our choices of healing and wellness practices are others. And, so on...
As you can see, I wasn’t just called to make macramé dolls; I was being invited to expand my offerings for self-discovery. Especially in the area of neurodiversity by using dolls as a tool to do so. This made me enjoy the process even more; especially as a person who is very present and mindful that I show up differently in the world; especially, or primarily, as a racialized Canadian woman. Myself, and others like me, are “anomalies” in some way or other when people sense we are “different” from most who look like us. We don’t fit a common or predictable pattern which can be inaccurately sensed, by the body, as a threat, danger, or as something that doesn’t belong etc.
When our body senses something uncommon in our environment, significant or not, it causes a physiological reaction that we often dismiss yet, the discomfort serves as an indication or invitation to explore the difference (the divergence) with curiosity; especially considering we expand in our own sense of knowing, self-awareness, and our overall wholistic wellness based on learning and exploring new information.
A practice that is so helpful for helping us better understand how we respond or react to what we sense around us, including similarities and anomalies, is by becoming more familiar with mind-body connection when it comes to our exposure to stimuli. This is the actual process that explains how we respond or react to sensory stimulation: (1) Sensing: we sense things in our external world (as different stimuli picked up by sensory neurons and peripheral nervous system (PNS) and then; (2) Information Transfer: the information picked up through our sensory systems are then sent to the brain as electric impulses (or signals) to the brain to be processed (relayed to the specific area of the brain that sorts it the respective information) and then; (3) Emotions (Physiological Subconscious Response): the brain sorts the sensory information it receives and automatically triggers an emotional responses (ie: change in breathing, heart rate, etc.) that then triggers the central nervous system (CNS) and PNS to work together to prepare the body for having to shift into a calm and relaxing state or a defensive and stress state (whereby triggering a release associated hormones (ie: if the emotional response includes a racing heart rate, adrenalin also known as epinephrin and cortisol are released). It's important to remember that this emotional and physiological response does not differentiate between what triggered the response. As such, adrenalin and cortisol gets released when heart rates increase due to: fear, threats, stress, excitement, and cardio exercise. As well, they also get released when one consumes stimulants, nicotine, certain amounts of alcohol; when using certain medications and drugs in addition to during certain period of sickness, injury, pain & even dehydration. This is one of the many reasons people may mislabel the next part of the process. Especially as some symptoms of adrenalin and cortisol releases include: irritability, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, etc. This then causes other hormones to be released to help bring the body back into balance; a quick fix for this is to consume or do something brings a fast sense of pleasure. For many, this is food, substances or gambling (if this is part of their cycle), etc. These quick fixes then trigger additional hormone releases. Based on the process, much of which is outside our control and awareness, it's easy to get stuck in cycles of highs-and-lows without realizing the initial cause or starting point. (4) Feelings (Conscious Awareness): we then consciously perceive and identify the related internal changes and reactions noted in step 3 as a specific feeling (ie: sad, happy, hurt, shame, guilt, fear etc.). However, based on all of the different hormone releases and related symptoms, it's easy to see how someone could mischaracterize or mislabel the feeling(s). If someone says they're feeling sadness, how do they determine if the sadness is from what they initially sensed (externally), the initial emotional response, one of the following responses (or the "quick fix")?
Sometimes parts of this process doesn’t function as it was designed to (often starting with the PNS - what we sense outside the brain). What if our ability to access a broad list of feelings is limited, or if we happen to mischaracterize the emotional response (ie: not being able to differentiate if our racing heart rate is alerting us that we’re in danger or a state of excitement as example; or mistaken an emotion response for a feeling), or if we have less access to the spectrum of sensory neurons (or receptors) in certain areas of our sensory system and may require support, an aid, or device to improve the accessibility (ie: someone who may lose some of their vision or hearing acuity but can correct this by getting glasses, contacts, Lasik surgery or by using hearing aids). These are other examples of neurodiversity; especially as they are interconnected with both our PNS & CNS.
Additionally, sometimes parts of this process doesn’t function as it was designed to (often starting with the PNS - what we sense outside the brain). What if our ability to access a broad list of feelings is limited, or if we happen to mischaracterize the emotional response (ie: not being able to differentiate if our racing heart rate is alerting us that we’re in danger or a state of excitement as example; or mistaken an emotion response for a feeling), or if we have less access to the spectrum of sensory neurons (or receptors) in certain areas of our sensory system and may require support, an aid, or device to improve the accessibility (ie: someone who may lose some of their vision or hearing acuity but can correct this by getting glasses, contacts, Lasik surgery or by using hearing aids). These are other examples of neurodiversity; especially as they are interconnected with both our PNS & CNS.
Sensory awareness and integration work helps people build more awareness of how their PNS and CSN work so they can track and modify behavior patterns that may be impacting different areas of life in an unfavorable or otherwise unhealthy way. By doing the work to examine, explore, and engage our senses, we not only build more awareness of the factors that play into our habits and behaviors, but we also gain more understanding of these things in relation to others. The more we know, the more we can acknowledge what we can change and control. This is where sensory conscious and immersive art, like macrame, comes in. Working on macramé dolls, other related projects, or simply making patterns of knots (etc.) alone, in 1-to-1 or group workshops, helps activate new sensory neurons that supports our system with creating new pathways (strategies) to manage emotional regulation and to accurately name the related feeling(s).
Unfortunately, most of us were not taught how our PNS and CNS work (or how they both influence our endocrine system - the area or our brain responsible for hormone management) even though these systems, as well as the related sensory systems (vision, auditory, olfactory, etc.) play a key role in our patterns of behaviors, preferences, dislikes, moods, etc.; and our overall wellbeing. This helps to highlight why sensory engagement work is so important. Macramé really helps make the learning more accessible. It offers a gentle, creative approach to exploring how we respond to the world around us — a journey that can be both fun, healing & restorative, and deeply insightful for everyone; especially those who self-identify and/or are referred to as neurodivergent (which, as I highlighted, is actually all of us in different ways - along different spectrums or continuums of our sensory and related systems).
While broaching the related topics can be somewhat uncomfortable, because it’s not common for people to notice or admit they don’t fully know “why” they do the things they do, or like the things they like, or think the things they think (etc.); especially if they struggle to change related patterns. Macramé, and other sensory conscious and sensory friendly arts, help to make discovering the answers more relatable and accessible.
As a result, I am so thrilled that I now will be offering macramé doll making workshops and programs, as one of the Boho & Knots offerings, to support the process for those who enjoy creative and experiential learning. Improving self-awareness can be incredibly transformative and empowering. Macramé is an organically immersive, versatile, and sensory-conscious art-form that is not just beautiful; it’s also a great tool to help make lifestyle changes such as developing new habits (patterns), fostering meaningful connection, and incorporating additional practices that help improve overall wellness.
Boho & Knots is a mobile art, lifestyle, & wellness brand (currently based in Toronto with plans to relocate to the East Coast). We offer macramé doll and other related workshops (for indoor and outdoor settings) and also create related half day, full day, and multi-day art programming that can be tailored to centred in working on macramé, or can be paired with macramé, wholistic wellness workshops and activities, nature exploration, and more. Please visit our Nature & Wellbeing section to learn more. Additionally, macramé dolls from either of our collections are available for purchase and can be customized (our 2025 commissions are now open). Please note that some restrictions may apply related to different colour preferences for clothing, hair, etc. Small batch orders are welcome for special occasions, events, licensing, staging and more. As well, we will continue to create new collections to help expand the representation of the beautiful spectrum of neurodiverse people (in typical and non-typical ways) in our communities. To see an overview of our work, click here to see our eco-system. Our differences connect us in more ways than not, and they also serve to help us learn more from one another, and support each other along our wellness journeys.
For more information, to inquire about our workshops, or to discuss collaboration opportunities, visit our contact page or type in: wwww.bohoandknots.com. I am looking forward to connecting with you to explore how our macramé and boho related offerings can support one or more of your wellness goals!
Paris (aka Be Light)
Macramé Artist & Wellness Practitioner
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