Needlepoint & Mental Health with Kerry Hurlbut from Pointed Positivity

What if the hobby you love isn’t just helping you unwind—but actually giving your brain the break it desperately needs? In this episode, we're exploring the connection between needlepoint, creativity, and mental well-being with Kerry Hurlbut, a pediatric nurse practitioner and founder of Pointed Positivity. Kerry has experienced firsthand how needlepoint can become an important part of our personal wellness toolbox, carrying her through career changes, graduate school, relationships, health struggles, and a challenging period with her own mental health. Her experience made her curious: Why did needlepoint help so much? That question led Kerry to explore the research around creative hobbies and well-being—and ultimately inspired Pointed Positivity, where she brings together her clinical background, her love of needlepoint, and stories from other stitchers. We talk about what happens when we trade constant stimulation and doom scrolling for the repetitive rhythm of working with our hands, why Kerry recommends creative hobbies to some of the patients and families she works with, and how community can make an enormous difference when we’re navigating difficult seasons. Kerry also shares one fascinating benchmark from the research she has explored: aiming for about two hours of engagement with a hobby each week. It doesn’t have to happen all at once, and it certainly doesn’t need to become another item on the perfectionist to-do list. Instead, it can be a reminder to intentionally make room for the creative practices that make us feel better. **Check out the Decorative Stitch Playlist:** georgieandlottie.com/decorative-stitch **Special Offer:** Use code OHSTITCH10 for 10% off your first order at georgieandlottie.com. Connect with the Guest: Website: pointedpositivity.com Instagram: instagram.com/pointedpositivity TikTok: tiktok.com/@pointedpositivity