focus
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#100daysofsilentsewing
I decided today that I am joining in with Elle Luna and Lindsay Jean Thompson for #the100dayproject. If you haven't heard of it you can find more info here but basically you chose do to something for 100 days and document it on instagram with a unique hashtag.
It felt quite difficult to chose an action, at first I thought there wasn't really anything and then I realised I really could do anything because obviously it doesn't have to be something I am good at! I had lots of thoughts, possibly drawings, designs, colours, fabric scraps? Then I thought about what I want to do, what I would do if I had made time. Of course it would be sewing. That doesn't seem enough because I usually do that every day anyway. So what don't I do? Sew for myself... finish projects... play/improv. But then I don't think I would be motivated to do those things for 100 days.
What else could I do if not sewing? Reading, dancing, walking. Yet what do I want to achieve?
I need some self care. I need time to reflect. I need to focus. I would like to do something for 100 days that will help me do those things.
Then I realised. Sewing is my time for relaxing but I rarely do it without doing something else at the same time. I am writing a pattern or making a project and taking notes as I go, or watching tv, or listening to a podcast, or talking, or I'm on a train. And that's all great. It's not always feeding my creativity though, it's not breathing space or mindfulness.
My action is 100 days of silent sewing - be it 10 mins or an hour of silent stitching, a chance to work on some unfinished projects or just to stitch whatever I feel like. Maybe I will just do a running stitch through a scrap of fabric because that's all I can muster. I'm not sure how it will go! I would prefer it to be hand sewing but I am not going to set rules for myself. And it's ok if I'm out and about (not alone in a quiet room) because that might be the best chance I get. I am going to turn off and sew silently.
You can follow along #100daysofsilentsewing and see where it takes me.
Has anyone done this challenge (or similar) before? Can you share any tips with me, particularly about how to keep going?
intent...
New year is always filled with hope and promise, it's a time to reflect and set your goals and intentions for the coming year. I like to start by choosing one little word for the year - you can read more about this here.
My word for 2016 was enthusiasm and I do think I have approached things enthusiastically this past year; I have said 'yes' when I might have been scared, danced around, been excited about my sewing projects and been creative every day. Previously I have chosen more and better as my word for the year.
This year I would like to make changes - not all huge but the kind of changes I can incorporate into daily life. To focus on my goals and to do the things I need to do in order to be happy, healthy and filled up with creativity.
There were a few words I could have chosen but when I thought of this one it felt so perfect!
I interpret this in a few ways but mostly it's about changes. Shifting how I think - to keep my focus, so I can stay on track with my goals (I tend to wander a lot!) and see the opportunities to grow.
There are times I have to say no to projects and admit that I can't do everything (even when I want to). Being realistic with my time and priorities is important. Having said that I need to be sure that I am not doubting myself or turning things down because I feel like I'm not good enough/deserving/important. I want to chose to do what excites me and be bold. At these times I need to look inward, to really trust myself and have confidence. When I am mindful, living in the moment and concentrating on now (rather than worrying about the future), good things happen. Everything is clearer and less stressful.
'Shift' will remind me to get rid of all the external noise and anchor me. I want to be clear about what I want to achieve and the steps I need to take for that to happen.
I also want to use the word to encourage me to actually move. On New Year's Eve I made a vision board and one of the quotes I stuck on it was 'strong is the new pretty'. This year I plan on getting strong by exercising, I know how much better I feel when my body is healthy. I have to shift my arse literally.
Change has always scared me but 'shift' seems more manageable and optimistic in my mind. I have been telling myself to "get a shift on" so I can finish projects and stop procraftinating ;)
Shift is a constructive push, like 'just do it'. The shift key arrow points upwards and that's how it makes me feel, I can go onwards and upwards.
I'm feeling really positive about the year ahead and 'shift' is going to help me be clear, focused and moving!
Have you chosen a word for 2017?
Shift is a constructive push, like 'just do it'. The shift key arrow points upwards and that's how it makes me feel, I can go onwards and upwards.
I'm feeling really positive about the year ahead and 'shift' is going to help me be clear, focused and moving!
Have you chosen a word for 2017?
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