Out of curiosity I recently joined Threads, the chatty side of Instagram. I don’t need more social media, and I have no idea what I’m doing there really, but so far it’s a bit like what Twitter used to be in the good old days. I think I’m only there to explore, read, and reflect rather than to post anything much myself. It’s been reassuring to see so many UK small business owners talking about how hard it is to juggle all the jobs and to find any decent stretch of time out for self-care and rest when you’re a sole trader.
I’m feeling the need to step back a little in the run-up to Christmas, because I want to be able to enjoy a week off later without being exhausted before it starts. In my experience you can be too tired to enjoy a holiday. I’m sorry that I’ve closed the shop so early for fabric and thread orders, but I’m unable to get to the post office this week, and next week is too close to Christmas to be of much use. The fact is that I appear to have overtaxed myself and need a few days down time.
Today’s daily stitching turned out to be crossing paths in a slightly untidy backstitch. Two steps forward, one step back. Slow progress, but progress overall I guess.
Even my downtime is full. I have a few things to tidy up and finish, or at least try and catch up on.
This year’s stitch journal needs hemming on the raw edges. There are some little landscapes that I started, with unreasonable optimism, some weeks ago and that have been sitting around on my work table ever since.
There’s a quilt that needs sustained attention, at some point.
And next year’s stitch journal fabric needs a join where the strips of vintage sheet weren’t long enough. It also needs hemming. I’m looking forward to starting the 2025 template in January.
Hoping for a quiet week, but accepting that life often has other plans.
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Your post is so true for so many of us! Old saying—The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get! I guess we all need to slow down and enjoy all our blessings.
exactly. that Elaine: more haste, less speed. Trying to switch off for a few days – let’s see how good I am at that (not very, I bet) 😆
At least you’ve tried to clear your plate before fate serves you something else!
just trying to keep up… 😀
Take it easy Karen and enjoy your Christmas time. We will hear about it in the New Year!
Happy Christmas!
Martine
thanks so much Martine, I’ll be back here before then 🙂
Thanks for the reminder to slow down! This time of year is a challenge. (For me in particular – church musician, retired teacher but still doing a LOT of school accompanying.) I hope you find some calm, treasure the quiet and have a wonderful holiday. Nancy
Thanks so much, Nancy; I’ll be back here before Christmas, just having a quiet week this week. I hope you can find time to recharge as well, it sounds like a particularly busy time for you too. School accompanying brings me memories of playing the flute in the school orchestra and school carol concerts so thank you for that 🙂
You must do this for your creative spirit! You give so much,
Take this time to replenish! I purchased the beautiful MARKING TIME book,
with your incredible contribution. Your stitching is an inspiration to me.
I am looking forward to a cozy, quiet time to read it.
It is my gift to myself this Christmas season
thanks so much, Elizabeth. Enjoy the book, the publishers have done an amazing job with it. Tommye’s wonderful writing makes for a truly cosy and inspiring winter read. What a lovely gift to yourself ❤️
I enjoy seeing all of your work in progress. Your daily stitching project is so beautiful this year. I’m especially enjoying your December stitchings. Yes, it is so important to take good care of yourself. It’s necessary for your work, but it also gives your creativity space and confirms your value to yourself.
Thanks so much, Juliana. I’m not always great at valuing myself but you’re absolutely right, some down time is necessary for refreshing the creative spirit. And now that I’m my own boss I figure I should start behaving like a decent boss and give me a break 🙂
It takes an astute person to know when to slow down and savor your accomplishments. I wish you a wonderful holiday and look forward to next year!
Thanks so much Georgayne, I’ll be checking in again before Christmas. In the meantime I’ll enjoy slowing down a little.
Enjoy some down time, it’s a wonderful time of year to retreat, reset and recharge! I’m so enamored with the fluffier thread that outlines each day’s section. I’ll have to look for some here in the U.S. It makes a really effective border!
Thanks so much, yes winter is absolutely my favourite time of year – so quiet, and proper deep dark nights. Hopefully a quiet week will restore the spirits somewhat. The fluffy threads I use for outlining are mostly silk boucle and cotton boucle yarns (and occasionally just plain yarn, left over from knitting) couched down with finer thread; they do make a nice border to the sections on this year’s template. Normally I sell them in my Big Cartel shop but not until new year now.
I hope you finally get some downtime!
still busy but at least not TOO busy 🙂
Everyone needs a little downtime…..enjoy yours, feel free to relax and have a happy holiday time for yourself! Love what you do and share with all of us!!
thanks so much Evelyn, happy holiday time to you too 🙂🥳