Good morning y’all!
It’s Tuesday and the weather this morning is just to die for. Sunny skies, crisp cool morning air. Taking it all in with a nice cup of coffee and some crocheting. Yeah, you read that right. Crocheting. A random hobby to pick up, you might be thinking. Surprisingly enough, this hobby holds a special place in my heart.
When I look back and remember my mom, I am always greeted with the image of her sitting on the couch or the chair in the living room, curled up in a Looney Tunes Blanket with a roll of yarn. Crocheting her little heart out. I don’t say this lightly. She was a freaking speedy wizard with a crochet needle. We’d be watching a movie and by the end, she would have a blanket halfway done or completely finished. Seriously! Most times I don’t even remember her looking at it. Incredible. Although I don’t have such high hopes for myself, I do have some goals when it comes to learning how to crochet.
Goal #1: I’d like to use this hobby and time spent as a way to not only honor my mom, but to connect with her.
Goal #2: I’d like to crochet a nice cozy blanket for my grandparents house by winter. (Probably wishful thinking but I’m hopeful)
Goal #3: I’d like to make a bunch of different things (dish cloths, dish towels, blankets, and an earthy vest for myself) and *possibly* end up selling them. My intent will be to have 100% cotton or 100% wool pieces.
Goal #4: Start and actually finish projects. I found a meme that pretty much sums me up and it says, “I have a black belt in Partial Arts” meaning I rarely finish what I start.
Maybe these goals are extremely ambitious. Maybe I’ll succeed, maybe I won’t. But how would I know if I never tried? Pushing yourself to do things (this thing being inexpensive & just a side hobby for now) and to learn new things is extremely important if you’re looking to grow. These things don’t always have to be big ambitious or expensive projects. Start small, start easy and continue to add and allow the difficulty to increase over time.
One of the main reasons I want to learn how to crochet is because I want my children to remember me for something the way I remember my mom crocheting. I obviously remember more about my mom than her amazing ability to crochet but this is one of the few things I got to see my mom do that she really enjoyed while she was mothering two young children. As parents, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and not give yourself time to explore your own creativity, hobbies, etc. It’s important to teach (show) your children that you are human too with your own interests and that it’s important to make time for yourself and take care of yourself. Children learn so much by watching and observing. Always be aware of what kind of behaviors you are showing your child (easier said than done, I know) throughout your daily life.
Aside from children, it’s important you explore different hobbies and try to find something that means something to you. We spend so much of our time on the go go go without any time to sit down and just be or just do. Slowing down certainly has its benefits and I feel as though society has crushed the creativity of humanity by forcing long work weeks, booking up schedules and pressuring people to keep up. Finding something worthwhile doesn’t even have to be time consuming. Here are some quick ways I regroup during a busy day–
Journaling
Designating blocks of time to sit out in the sun
Writing
Reading
Meditation
These are a few examples of things I do on my own. I also like to include my family in some activities that will help all of us emotionally, physically, and mentally. Those include–
Getting the kids out in the sun
Hiking
Playground
Grounding (going barefoot) at the park
(Trying) Less TV time
On the days we’re able to incorporate these, I can see such a positive shift in not only the kids behavior, but our mental clarity and headspace. Personal (probably unpopular) opinion - a busy schedule does not allow children to move through their thoughts and emotions properly. They are always being shuffled from one thing to the next without time to enjoy what they’re doing. School, homework, extracurriculars, parties, family time, and now add in screens. It. Is. Too. Much. Allow children and yourselves to go outside and just enjoy yourselves! Go walk in the forest. Go lay in the grass. Go play in a creek/river/pond/lake or whatever! We’re pressured to make time for the wrong things. We’re forced to always want more and to not be satisfied with what we have. We’re forced to show off life and all the progress we’re making and all the things we’re doing.
Try to take a step back and relax this week. Find things that maybe aren’t as necessary in your schedule as you thought. Turn the TV off. Sit in the quiet of your own home or outside in your yard as summer comes to a close. Take notice of how summer is shifting to fall. Take notice of the animals in your backyard or on your hike. There is just so much going on outside of our little bubble that goes unnoticed.
Stay creative!
-AD
Yes! We didn't have packed schedules as kids, and it was great. Love that you're crocheting — the only crochet project I ever managed to finish was a baby sweater, and that baby is now in her early 30s and just had her own baby! ;-) Curious, did you pick crocheting over knitting because your mom did it, or do you like it better? I haven't done either for so long but was thinking of taking up knitting again so I can make hats that fit!