By Julia
Being a parent, employment demands, our partners, the garden, the house…all of these people and things in our lives demand our time! All of them are important and sometimes we find that we’re sliced up like pieces of a pie, divvied out to meet those demands on a daily basis. “But what about me?” I’ve asked that many times, usually to myself and I guess in a way that helps to prioritize the demands on us. Somewhere in all those things or people that take our time, we need to take time to be creative, relax and enjoy.
I have six children, work full time in a busy social work career and have all the responsibilities of wife, mother and more. In order to survive, I had to do something for me! I cannot embroider or sew every day because truthfully, I get tired! I do, however, escape mentally on those days I`m too tired to concentrate for fear I`ll mess up a project. I search online and look at designs, I might look at websites that have new projects so I can spark my creativity or I might just tidy up my studio. The critical thing I have found is that each day, I make sure that I am around creative thinkers and doers (even if it is online). This way, it recharges my batteries so I can do what I need to do inside and outside my studio. I always tuck away 30 minutes a day (or more if I can) to be in my studio. Being around fabric or my embroidery makes me relax, makes me re-focus and stirs that creative energy that I have stored inside.
Life’s Balancing Act is sometimes like a tight-rope walk. It depends what stage of life you are at. I remember when my children were little; I would put them down for a nap and sew while they snored. I couldn’t get any other sewing time in otherwise. Now, it’s more about the commitments of life that demand my time.
Maybe in 5 years when the kids have moved out and it’s just my husband and me, we will find more time…but we have to make the most of the time we have each day. So make sure that if it’s being crafty that you love and live for, energize your creative battery and make time to be creative. You’ll accomplish and never regret it!
Wise words.
I know just how you feel, Julie. I am a piano teacher and I home-schooled my children. There was absolutely no “me” time and I was so frustrated. And then one night, God spoke so clearly to me. He said, “You only have your children at home for a while and then the time will be yours.” Oh, how right He was! In no time, the oldest left for college (and I immediately took over his room for sewing!). I finally had a little time for me and then the youngest was gone and I found, as much as I loved my children, there is life after children!
I totally agree — I also try to do something related to sewing every day — just searching for designs, reading articles, cleaning up my sewing room, planning projects, or just winding bobbins! It’ s therapy for me.
Kate
Julie, thank you for sharing good advice.
Don’t count on having time when the kids are gone from home. Before you know it, there will be precious grand babies to steal your time away. I have not worked for 6 years due to spinal injury and thought I would have lots of time to sew/embroidery. When I do feel good enough, I have to help the kids or grandkids or something else that has to be done. Some day– I hope I can dedicate a lot more time to my hobbies.
When I still worked I made myself sew 2 evenings a week – if only for 15 minutes each time. I read a quilting book every day just to keep me focused. I am glad that I worked until I was 65 so that now I can sew every day, all day and can try out any “new” thing that comes along. Hang in there, girls.
Great advice Julie
I’m a widow with a teenage son & am working full time at the moment. Our time together now is precious and I know the time will come when he’s gone off on his own adventure, but I still need a little ‘me’ time to stay sane. Sewing time is rare, but a quick read of a magazine or blog keeps the desire alive.
Thanks for your article.