Hohana Flora Domanais (Marihohana) is a crocheter in the Philippines who recently shared her beautiful crochet mandala art installation with me. She mentioned that crochet had also saved her from depression and we continued to communicate so she could share her story. She shares,
“Arts and crafts helped me recover from depression. In 2014, I left my career as an accountant; despite loving the intellectual rigor of the work, it never felt like a good fit. I began working with art materials again and found myself producing more prolific work. I exhibited my Crochet Mandalas in various events, festival and exhibits here in the Philippines. This weekend, Wonderfruit Festival in Thailand will include the display and I will also be teaching a mandala crochet workshop there. Of all the crafts that brought me out of depression, crochet is my lifesaver.”
She elaborated, sharing that she was diagnosed with chronic depression in 2014. Her workplace was toxic and she was experiencing family issues as well. After leaving her job, she withdrew into herself, avoiding the outside world, ignoring phone calls and social media. She started to do bead work then, after seeing her auntie’s hook and yarn, she began to crochet. She had learned to crochet in school as a child but didn’t expect that it would bring her into the beautiful life she’s now living.
She says that there is a crochet community around here in the Philippines and she often crochets with others, especially when conducting her workshops. She has received positive response for her art; many have said that there is something in her mandalas that “catch their heart”. Asked why she chose to crochet mandalas, she answers,
“For me, crocheting mandalas relaxes my mind because of the continuous circle. I am fascinated with them because of their Hindu meaning of oneness with nature and the universe.”
Of course it is wonderful that her work has been well received, but she adds,
“I create not to impress everyone but to heal myself. I want to share this with everyone, especially those who are also fighting their own battle.”