How to Make a Worry Doll
Anxiety is a common issue that many of my clients face, especially younger children who refer to it as "worry". As an Art Therapist, I often suggest a great directive - creating a worry doll. This technique was introduced to me during my Art Therapy training and has proven to be very effective.
Worry dolls are tiny dolls that are traditionally created in Guatemala. They are believed to have originated from a Mayan legend in which children would tell their worries to a doll and then place it under their pillow at night. The doll would then take away their worries while they slept. Making your worry doll can be a fun and creative way to address your worries and manage anxiety.
Creating a worry doll is a simple process that requires only a few basic supplies. You can use yarn, fabric scraps, scissors, and glue to create your doll. You can also add beads or other embellishments to make your doll unique. The possibilities are endless!
There are a few different ways that you can create a worry doll, but I would like to share with you the way that I was originally taught.
To begin making your worry doll, you need a piece of paper. On that paper, you should write down what is bothering you, causing you anxiety or worry. It can be a single issue or multiple worries. After you have written down your concerns, crumple the paper as tightly as possible.
Once you have done this, you will pick a large, square piece of fabric that you would like to use for the body. You will place your worries in the middle of the fabric, and wrap the fabric around the piece of paper. Once you have completed this, you then tie a piece of string around to hold it in place. At this point, your worry doll will look more like a worried ghost.
After laying your doll flat, mark the spots where you want to cut the arms and legs. You can choose to leave the fabric at the bottom to create a dress or skirt, the choice is yours. Use scissors to make two cuts where you want the arms to be.
Once this step is completed, you then choose the yarn you would like to use. You start by wrapping the yarn around the neck, and then slowly wrap it around the fabric to create the arm. Once you have made it to the end, wrap your yarn back to the start, then go down the other side of the other arm. At this point, I like to make a criss-crossed shape around the torso.
Once your arms are complete, continue wrapping around the torso and down the legs, the same way you completed the arms. Once you are finished, cut your yarn, but leave about two inches, as you will want to thread this through the back of your doll.
Now you can start decorating your doll after creating the figure. This is your chance to let your creativity shine by adding hair, eyes, mouth, clothes, and props.
Once your worry doll is complete, you can then keep it in a safe place, and when those worries creep in, take a few deep breaths tell your worries to your doll and place it under or beside your pillow at night. You may find that your worries feel more manageable after using a worry doll.
Another benefit of worry dolls is that they can be a great tool for children who are struggling with anxiety. Children can use the dolls to express their worries and fears in a safe and non-threatening way. The dolls can also help children develop coping skills and learn to manage their emotions more effectively.
Worry dolls are a simple yet effective way of managing stress and anxiety. They are a great tool for both adults and children and can be utilized in various settings such as home, school, or work. In case more worries continue to appear, which can sometimes happen, you can create more dolls and add them to your collection.
