How Collage Helped Tame the Hamsters in My Head
In a world full of screens, endless scrolling, and constant noise, slowing down to make something with your hands feels like you’re swimming against the current, well it does for me. However, collage has become that quiet rebellion and a way to calm the mental chatter (or as I like to call them, the hamsters in my head).
Stress, disconnection, and burnout are all around us. That’s why so many of us are turning to hands-on crafts like collage and bookmaking. Research shows that crafting can actually lower cortisol, the hormone that drives stress, helping us relax and reconnect with ourselves (Key, 2024). HURRAH!
Why collage?
Hanson writes in his 2020 book Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness:
"Much of our stress is driven by internal verbal processes. These worry about the future, rehash the past, and mutter about the present. In most people, the neural bias for language is on the left side of the brain while the right side handles imagery and other forms of holistic processing. (This is reversed for many left-handed people.) The two sides inhibit each other, so if one becomes more active, that quiets the other. Consequently, focusing on imagery will reduce verbal activity — and help you RELAX."
This is why collage is far more than a pretty composition. It’s a way to engage the right side of the brain — the one that processes imagery and emotion — while quieting the verbal left side that fuels our stress and endless to-do lists. When I cut, tear, and arrange paper, I’m not just creating art; I’m giving my mind a much-needed break.
The magic of hands-on making
There’s something deeply grounding about working with physical materials. Your hands remember what your head forgets. You slow down, you notice, and suddenly, the noise fades.
My collage sessions have become self care rituals; moments to breathe, feel, and simply be. Messy, imperfect, and unpredictable, collage reminds me what is often covered up; that life is imperfectly wonderful.
A simple invitation
No need for fancy materials—just grab some paper, scissors, glue, and a dash of curiosity. Whether you’re juggling deadlines, parenting chaos, or simply need a moment to breathe, collage quietly has your back. Research from ArtsWell shows that just 20 minutes of getting creative can seriously dial down your stress hormones and lift your mood. Imagine what a little daily practice could do — over time, it’s like giving your brain a gentle hug, helping you feel calmer, more grounded, and ready to take on whatever life throws at you.
Everyone’s an artist
Joseph Beuys once said, “Every human being is an artist, a freedom being, called to participate in transforming and reshaping the conditions, thinking and structures that shape and inform our lives.” Sounds big, right? But actually, it’s just being human — with torn paper, a glue stick, and a floor or table.
So why not give those hamsters in your head a break?
Join our community in one of the workshops and discover the peaceful power of making by hand.
Written by Sarah Ellen Masters, Founder of Collé
