Is there some activity you engage in that makes time stand still? Something that so clearly grabs your heart and mind that hours pass unnoticed. Something that pulls you in to that meditative blissed-out place where life is good and all else falls away.

In my case, It’s always a solitary one. And maybe that jibes with the whole introvert thing I’ve recently awoken to in my own life. Maybe for others, it takes others to get to that state.

I spent a wonderful few hours on Sunday making jewelry. It wasn’t the first time, won’t be the last. It felt special though because I “chose me.” I carved out the time to do it, assembled the supplies I needed, left the dirty dishes in the sink, and did what pleased me. It’s not a particularly straightforward process for me because I’m allergic to nickel. The jewelry I buy or make has to be either gold or stainless steel. Using beads made of wood, glass, or acrylic also solves the problem providing I don’t use findings made of offending materials. Strands of beads without clasps that are long enough to loop over my head works. I’ve also wound ribbon over metal hardware on purchased pieces to prevent them from touching my skin.

Using crystals like amethyst, sodalite, moonstone, fluorite, carnelian, peridot, and turquoise to make bracelets and necklaces allows me to combine my love of colour and jewelry making with the healing properties of the stones. Sometimes It’s a simple as adding a leather cord to a purchased jasper or adventurine pendant. Voila.

Like many hobbyists, I’ve gone off the deep end studying, reading about, and buying, buying, buying the requisite (and some that aren’t!) tools, supplies, and accouterments to feed the habit. Multiply that by the number of interests one has and you’ve got some serious coin and time invested.

So, if you don’t go overboard reading, restoring cars, knitting, baking, bird watching, golfing, or whatever your vice, you don’t know what You’re missing. To be caught up in a creative or other pursuit that nurtures your soul, builds your expertise, exploits your talent, and often produces something tangible is a gift. To become so engrossed in the project at hand as to forget your troubles is a small miracle.

As I write this it occurs to me that maybe I’ve made a terrible assumption. Just because I’ve been obsessed with things over the course of my life, doesn’t mean anyone, everyone else has. As a young wife I got into needle arts (petit point and cross-stitch). I stayed up into the wee hours thinking I’ll just finish this section or this colour. I worked til my eyes burned and my butt was numb. Nuts, huh?

Maybe. But if not, It’s something to consider. Searching for that which speaks to your heart and creativity. Finding ways to add another deeper dimension to our lives. And if that means, a funky chunky new bracelet better yet, from where I sit.

Hazel Anaka’s first novel is Lucky Dog. Visit her website for more information or follow her on Twitter @anakawrites.