I’m 43 and have worked my ass off since I was 17—pizza delivery, car wash grunt, upper-level manager, healthcare, bookkeeping, retail—you name it, I’ve probably done it. Employee, freelancer, gig worker—you get the picture. I’ve hustled hard, often juggling multiple jobs.
But here’s the real deal: I’m also fighting a war inside my body and mind. Severe fibromyalgia, chronic migraines (more headache days than not), possible hEDS, POTS, small-fiber neuropathy. On the mental side? PTSD, depression, anxiety, ADHD, autism. Yeah, the alphabet soup is real—and it’s a hell of a mix that no one signs up for.
So why crafting? Why dive in headfirst now?
The Spark
Six months ago, my wife and I had a brutally honest conversation. My body was becoming a prison—I couldn’t do the things I used to. For most of my life, I was the breadwinner, the financial backbone. Losing that? It scared the absolute shit out of me. My self-worth was tied to work, to providing. My wife jokes she’s got an inner caveman, but sometimes I think mine’s even stronger.
Crafting became my anchor in the chaos. A way to pour stress into something real. To feel like I was doing something—anything—to contribute. With her working full time, I tried to take the brunt of the responsibilities at home. But some days, I couldn’t even handle basic chores like laundry. It took everything I had just to get up and get dressed. And when you’re wrestling with depression on top of all that? Losing your identity and independence is crippling—it multiplies the pain.
That first project—messy, imperfect—felt like breathing fresh air. A moment of me time away from the noise and mental treadmill.
The Chaos and The Calm
Crafting and my ADHD/autism? A wild dance. Chaos because my brain won’t sit still (hello, abstract art). Calm because building things bit by bit grounds me. It’s therapy without a couch, a lifeline to survive the daily storm.
Crafting Meets Writing
These worlds collide beautifully. Beading or painting sparks story ideas. Writing feeds the colors I pick or the textures I try. Juggling both—and stepping up the marketing and social media for our writing—means my sanity left the building a long time ago. But I wouldn’t trade this wild, beautiful mess for anything.
What Crafting Means Now
It’s more than a hobby. It’s identity, therapy, control in chaos, connection. Maybe one day it’ll even pay the bills. It’s grown from stress relief to something that helps me breathe, create, and connect—with myself and with you.
If you want to check out my snarky stickers, dark art, or handcrafted chaos (plus links to buy our books), hit up the hit the shop here.
Behind the Curtain
I’m messy. Chaotic. Cozy. I make snarky stickers, dark art, and anything screaming personality. Fail stories? Plenty. Like how many times I tried to string a beaded bracelet for my mother-in-law, only for the elastic to snap at the final knot before I got it right. And she’s worn that damn bracelet every day since.
What About You?
How do you make chaos your own? Drop a comment or question—I’m all ears.
New shop drops and crafty chaos are coming your way. Stay tuned.
Stay fierce, stay real,
Lisa M. Jordan ✨
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