Ashley Klancko is a third-year PharmD candidate at the University of Connecticut.
I’ll never forget the words my first pharmacist said to me when I walked into CVS one day with a crocheted happy pill. I had been working there for a few months, and I had found the cutest pharmacy-related crochet project to try. “I can’t believe you chose pharmacy. Pharmacists are normally so mundane.”
For me, it seemed so normal to do crafts. To have part of your wellness outlet be something creative. I realized then that not only do people not always have their own creative outlets, but their own way to wind down. I have always reached for crafts as my outlet. Whether it was hand lettering during COVID-19, making origami items after school, or learning to crochet during my winter break when I was back from college.
Now that I’ve entered pharmacy school, my small creative hobby has not only kept me sane during exam season, but it forces me to take time for myself.
Time for me to reset
I’m sure everyone has gone days without a break, thinking only of pharmacy from waking in the morning to going to bed at night. I’ve done it more times than I can count, but being able to take a step back from pharmacy and do my craft, no thinking, and keeping my hands busy, has forced me to slow down and give my brain time to rest outside of classes.
I’ve realized that my brain needs that time to reset from pharmacy: to not only process the information but also take a much-needed distance in order to be excited about the new content to come. Looking forward to completing a crochet project has been that distance for me. I’ve noticed that with this break every day that I take for myself and my creativity, I’ve seen my own grades improve, my excitement about learning new content, and my willingness to try new opportunities increase.
Known for my crocheting
I’ve even found ways to cross over two of the biggest parts of my life. I am very proud to say that everyone in my life, and the school of pharmacy, knows me for my happy pills. No, I’m not talking about real pills. I’m talking about my crocheted pills. Whether it’s a congratulations gift for a friend, using them as a prize in our APhA Annual Auction, or just a fun variation I make for myself, everyone knows me for these small pharmacy-related stress pills.
I think they’re a good reminder that your hobbies can overlap healthily with your work. It’s also there to be a distance as well. I love taking my study breaks to make something. As I write, the snail I am making for my friend is sitting right next to me waiting until I finish writing this to be worked on. It also gives me something to look forward to at the end of the day. There is nothing better for me than to come home after a long day of studying and classes and be able to slow down and work on my project with a show.
Take your “brain break”
While this is one of my forms of self-care, I know not everyone is going to have the same experience from a crafty hobby. However, being able to have something you can look forward to at the end of your day, even if it’s just for 30 minutes, makes a huge difference. I will always recommend something creative to people—you can ask my friends who are all going to try crocheting with me someday—but finding what relaxes you and will help give you your “brain break” from pharmacy will be invaluable.