It’s been an unusual week in real life…you know, real life: offline and outside the craft room. I’ve had a bit of an internal struggle with a few things related to my crafting and decided it was best to let those troubles bring me to a standstill for a few days so I could work them out.
Caution: Rambling, slightly grumpy, honest post ahead but I’d bet you can identify with parts of it too
The Craft Room Clean Up & An Honest Project List
Some of this funk comes from some reflection I was tricked into doing earlier this week. One of my friends came over for a craft day but when she sat on the floor in the craft room (which was a disaster cause I still haven’t really finished unpacking from February) she started picking things up and organizing. I almost had an anxiety attack cause the idea of someone in my stuff irks me, but instead of stopping her I stopped myself. I trust her and have no secrets hidden in there, if she wanted to keep me company, poke through and organize my stuff while craft chatting then why in the world would that have been a problem? Spoiler alert: it wasn’t a problem!
As we talked about some of the items and fabric bundles she realized the thing I know: I have too many plans or WIP things going. So she did the thing I’ve been afraid to do…she started to make THE list. Now this isn’t the finish-along list, this is the all the things I would work on if I had all the time in the world. The stuff in the stash earmarked for a project that may not even be started.
I was very honest with what projects existed and by the time she left I couldn’t believe the list. Actually, that’s not true; I could. It was a big relief to see that the list was finite, sometimes it feels endless but with bullet points it seems actionable.
That brought me to question a few things about what I have going on now. Most specifically: where is my craft/blogging/making as a business going? Is it even still headed in a business direction? I have no idea. Part of the problem is I don’t have a goal, I’ve left it rather amorphous for fear of committing to the wrong goal but I think it’s time to set a goal and in a month if I want to change it I can.
Breakdown in Support System
Another thing that’s really bugged me this week is my support. When I asked directly to my non-sewing friend network I got a fraction of the encouragement and support I had hoped for, including from my closest of friends. Yet when I change my profile photo I get 50+ likes in hours and when someone complains about some nonsense 15 of their friends will comment. I know part of it is timing and Facebook’s algorithm but it was really discouraging and kept me up the other night wondering if what I am doing is even worth the time and energy I’m putting into it. Fortunately, the friend who helped with the craft room clean up sent me this, which warmed my soul at just the right time. I needed to remember likes are not a measurement of validation.
Time is Finite
I’ve also been stressed over how much I have on my plate. I plotted my week in a spreadsheet and marked what time is scheduled for an average week: sleep, work, and eating. Turns out I have 50 hours a week free time. Sounds like a lot but that’s all the time I have for family, friends, boyfriend, running errands, grocery shopping, doing laundry, keeping the house clean, going on adventures, playing outside, blogging, working on other web projects (there are more of them than just Quiltalong.net) and crafting.
Now that spring is peaking around the corner to say “hi” my weekends which means the wish to be outside the craft room and house are on the rise.
I’ll let it sit over the weekend then I will shake it off and get on with things. I don’t want to schedule how much of those 50 hours should be dedicated to my crafting or blogging but getting through this past week has emphasized that no matter what I’m doing I need to work smarter, not harder. It’s something I knew before but it’s really resonating now.
Do you identify with these challenges or similar issues? Feel free to rant in the comments because now I realize it feels really good having written all this down!
Yup, I am totally there on the questioning what they heck am I doing / is this really a business / is anyone in the world *really* interested in anything I have to make / am I delusional aspect. And out of that I have lost all sew-jo. I have no desire to turn on my sewing machine, and that makes me sad.
Yvonne, I just recently discovered your blog through your pattern’s bloghop. Triangle Transparency is fantastic! I think it’s a brilliant, clean design. Just so you know. I hope you keep creating!
Oh my goodness, Brianna, that is the nicest reply. Thank you so much. I do love the online quilting community. 🙂 <3
Hi Yvonne-
I know exactly what you mean!
After fifteen years in this industry the last two years have been particularly hard.
I think the rise of the internet and more people worldwide using it have been the main contributor.
The trick, as I see it, is to come up with your own unique way of doing things- and stick with it.
It’s also hard when the people around you don’t understand what you’re doing- and you don’t get the positive feedback you need.
Have a stand at some quilt shows to get a more positive outlook on the industry.
This will also get your sew-jo back- creating products to display in your stall.
You will get the feedback you need this way- and create networks with other people in the quilting industry.
Chin up!
Bronwyn …
Lists do make something which seems endless more finite. I love lists, because I love crossing things off of the list. Then I make a list of finished things and love watching it grow. When I don’t feel as much like sewing, I tell myself that there is a time and a place for everything. This month was definitely one for me with more time spent outside.
This post definitely resonates with me. I used to like to have only one project on the go and not leave anything unfinished. And it used to bother me when it took so long to finish something. I always have reminders and lists on digital post-its. Every now and again I just have to save them and take them off my screen, cause I can’t stand having all these things undone. And there’s a few things I’ve just written off as maybe-never going to happen. But I do love lists.
I’ve begun to realize that most of the fun for me is the design process, once I can visualize how it’s going to turn out, I don’t always NEED to make it anymore. So I have a binder and sketchbook with ideas and quilt layouts and plans. If I have time and need to make it, I will, but some of them sit there and wait a while before I get to them, if I’m still excited about them later on.
The whole time-is-finite thing does seem bleak, doesn’t it? There are so many things we want to do and not enough time to do them. I don’t think I could look at my schedule like that.
I don’t get many comments, I find people are more likely to like the link than actually click on the post. But then I don’t comment often either. More now than I used to, though. Sometimes I want to see my blog hits and sometimes I don’t! Social media is a strange world.
I think something that helps is just considering a different perspective. Think about why you sew in the first place and its value in your life. There’s always some prioritizing and I know with this beautiful weekend, I’m hoping to get out on the water for some kayaking. But in the evenings, I might choose to sew and listen to my audiobook rather than watch TV sometimes. And I’d like to sell patterns and keep creating, but I have a full time job, so the possible business-y aspect of it definitely comes second.
I hope your goal-setting works out for you!
Argh, the list. I look around my craft area (hallway/nook) and see so many projects yet to be completed and then the no times to complete them. I will say I am fast at sewing but at the same time, there still not enough time. Usually, I’m just stressed to get a couple posts out a week. Now that the weather is getting nicer it’s even hard to sit inside and sew. Either way I know that your struggle is real 🙂
I have lots of unfinished items but like a pint of guiness I tell myself all in its own good time! I do get there eventually. I’m like Brianna, I prefer the design and colour and early stages of a project. Takes a real drive for me to baste and bind! I’ve had a lot going on lately too juggling 2 blogs, time to make, time to play, time to exercise and lastly on the list the housework! Can get on top of you sometimes. Especially when some crafty friends are having selfish sewing years – wish I could have one of them! I feel better being productive though and get a real satisfaction in getting things done, eventually! That keeps me going. Looking back over my blog and seeing how far I’ve come makes me feel good too. As to what I should be focusing my time on in the future it seems to be deadline to deadline at the moment and hopefully in a week or so I’ll get a chance to take stock!
I’ll start with kudos to you for making a list and sharing it with the world and even thinking about these things in the first place! I have to constantly remind myself that “work” really does take more of my time than it seems to. Never feel like you aren’t getting enough of this quilty stuff done if you are also trying to stay alive (sleep and eat and go to work). I enjoyed seeing your spreadsheet – I have several like that and felt like the only one dorky enough to sum up my life that way. At least my husband said I’m only one dorky enough to sum up my life that way. Keep up the good work you can do that fulfills you. Even the quiet ones out there like me enjoy it!
Thanks June. The YLI thread is 40wt whreeas the Aurifil here is 12wt for large stitch quilting. I hope you enjoy the process of hand quilting. Feel free to ask any questions you may have as you go long.RegardsMUnaiba