With 2024 coming to an end, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what next year will look like. Not just in the sewing room but the family room where I do crafts. My desire to work in both of those spaces came to a grinding halt and it had me asking my favourite question -- why?
As I asked the question and thought over many days, I realized that I have been uninspired by the amount of stuff in both spaces. It was leaving me stressed out and avoiding the spaces. I would walk in, turn around, and leave. I stood one day in both spaces and made myself focus on why I was leaving. Both spaces were a mess and full of items I didn't want to work with. That lead me to think and find out why I was in this spot in my life. Why wasn't I enjoying sewing and crafting. Here is what I realized:
I want to do things that I enjoy
I want to be interested in my activities
I want to feel like what I do matters
Making items to use up the stashes was killing my creativity. When I found something that spoke to me I would enjoy what I was doing. This was in both spaces. If I was making for the sake of making, I would do it and walk out of the room I was in leaving a huge mess. What I enjoy doing was no longer a joy.
In early November, I made a huge decision to do the following:
Purge both the sewing and crafting areas keeping only what I want. I needed to let go of what I wasn't using. Having a stash of what ever that was never looked at was taking up space. My areas are big but they are also cluttered with stuff I don't use.
Have spaces that feel calm and inviting to work in. It should be easy to keep them clean and tidy. Remind myself my spaces are not storage places for unwanted items that take up real estate or make me feel anxious.
Choose projects that I want to make from the inventory I allow to reside those spaces. There will be some inventory but I know that I don't to stock pile. I can go buy it as I need it.
Allow myself the time to plan, research, and play. Allow myself the grace to do other things I want to do in my life.
Problems I May Encounter and Will Need To Solve
Realize I will hit some rocky patches. Not everything is going to be easy to let go of. I have encountered a few rocky patches already.
Review what I have kept and eliminate pieces I push aside even though I think I will use them. I need to realize that some items will be kept due to emotional attachment whether it is positive or negative.
Be an astute consumer. Buy only what I need to make/finish a project. I do not need a lot of extra inventory. What inventory I decide to keep needs to be on the to do list so it is gone. This is very true of items I will be making for craft bazaars.
Realize that if I have large scraps left over, I need to use them up quickly or let them go.
Doing 2 craft bazaars next year is going to need careful planning. What do I need to buy now vs buying it when I want to make the items.
I am getting excited to start cleaning (again) after Christmas. I know there will be emotional ups and downs. I will need to have time to think and plan. I will need time to sew and craft. But I do know that I will get both spaces done while having winter keep me closer to home.
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