Occupy Yourself

4. Shannon Downey: Craftivism as Intentional Occupation ๐ŸŒถ

โ€ข Nicole Cipriani & Valerie Khodorkovskiy โ€ข Season 1 โ€ข Episode 4

OK guys, here comes the first ๐ŸŒถ episode (remember, our OT Spiciness Scale is out of 3, so we're in mildtown tonight)! We met virtually with Shannon Downey: artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator at www.badasscrossstitch.com. Nicole got so flustered in her excitement that Val had to help her remember the 9 occupations because she forgot to count on her fingers (twice)! We discussed  Shannon's occupational evolution, and, like, all the projects she's done in the last year and a bit. Like completing an unfinished 100-piece quilt that she bought at an estate sale, facilitating her community in crafting their way through a challenging transition, packing up all her stuff and going on tour in an RV in a pandemic. You know. The like. We made little tingly connections with OT, but didn't bring the full clinical ambiance this time. It's an episode about the benefits of intentional occupation in the context of leisure, learning, routines, social connection, pooches and kittycats, and those mandatory projects that life sometimes throws your way. There's also a very brief OT origin story at the end and a textbook recommendation if that's your thing! Also, finally! Some swear words!