I don't mean to sound all hippie and new age-y either. This call from my inner self has never been this strong but I know right now I feel it and it's telling me to face up to what really matters and get back the connection to a life with meaning. I know I need to learn to be kinder to myself. I need to not let my many thoughts, expectations and the constant things I think I need to be doing become overwhelming. Take time-out. Stop. Be calm. Accept myself. And remember it is ok to do, be and need these things.
On reflection I think one of the reasons hand crafts have been a big interest to me over the past couple of years is that they provide a meaning and purpose at times when the rest of my world seems a little lost. Handmade is good for the soul. Do you agree?
25 comments:
What you say is true. Somehow making things by hand gives life more meaning or a way of connecting. I fnd the same sense of connectedness since I started growing a vegetable garden.
May the force be with you on your path wherever it takes you.
Susan
i agree with you and wish you luck.
Making something is wonderful and can be healing too. Best wishes.
Just this week I had a challenging life situation to deal with and I took my mind into making things to settle my thoughts. I was in a sewing frenzy! I make little softie things and rather than the slightly weirdo ones I usually make this time I made "nice" ones in pastel colours and soft recycled jumpers.
Keep going with following your instincts to change - it will all work out.
I totally agree, making soothes my soul and I hope it continues to help you find what you need as well.
Being kind to yourself can be so hard, I strugle with that all the time, you aren't alone.
hello,im from chile, so i want to tell you this in spanish, then you can use google , right.. :)
Siempre veo tu blog, es muy bonito y me gusta lo que pones en el . A veces las cosas no andan muy bien en la vida..verdad
pero estas terapias que nos entrega el handmade son irremplazables.. es muy bonito tener ese espacio ..
abrazos
what a brave and amazing post Evie.
I totally agree making stuff is good for the soul, and the heart.
But unfortunately it is not the total answer, many of the things you are talking about are just as important and as healing as that.
You and I are in a very similar place right now ( as you know).
trying to change old habits and ways thinking can be so difficult, because i think we learn these ways of being that then seem like givensI think you are very brave and I wish you all the very best on your path xo
I absolutely agree, Evie. I go through these kind of upheavals all the time, more often than not going into depression as I find it quite impossible at times. But yes, craft does help me to claw my way back and feel more connected to what is important. That's one of the things I love about travelling - you become anonymous in a way that frees you of things. Coming back to Bris is always very hard for me - that feeling of having to slot back in to bad habits/ways of being. Thinking of you and hope you find some ways through this... if you do, can you tell me how? ;)
Kx
I hit a wall in early January and realised that when I wasn't at work, I was sitting on the couch watching TV thinking about work so something needed to change. I think my mum noticed this as she brought me a realtively cheap sewing maching and I've found sewing and making softies so calming and distracting. :D
I can also relate. I think we do what we do while it works, but as we grow and change somethings no longer work and we have to try a little harder to find the right replacement. As a naturally sensitive, anxious person, I don't know where I would be without craft. Sometimes I craft with the anxiety, sometimes against it, sometimes I just need the quiet of mind I find with certain projects to be able to see clearly and contemplate. I hope you find the support, healing and peace you are needing.
xx
That's a beautiful post. Making things by hand does wonders for the soul. For me, it allows me to be lost in another little world. I wish you lots of peace and love for your journey. xxx
Making, drawing, creating - has an amazing ability to keep your mind focused on something other than your worries. I feel the need to do this often! You should take comfort in knowing that you create some amazing art which is a reflection of yourself.
I sadly don't have the time to write all I would like to say after reading this post. I would love to talk with you about it.
I would simply wish you all the best for a really long time & that you will feel happier & healthier really soon.
<3
I don't think you sound new agey, just honest. We only get one shot at this life of ours and I think these days, being able to so easily access information about what others are doing, it's hard not to feel the gap between what we want things to be and what they are. It doesn't change, I constantly feel frustrated at all the things I'd love to be doing and the choices I've made that restrict me from doing all I can. I think that to feel that way means that we're aware, that we're interested in life and enthusiastic, if also sometimes frustrated, down on ourselves and impatient. It's all normal to me!
Hi, I don't know what you're going through right now but I want you to know that you're a bautiful person and inpires a lot of people with your words, photos, with your lovely blog.
Hand crafts are surely a special thing and is good for the soul (like you said!).
I wish you the best =)
well said! just stumbled across your blog and will certainly be adding it to my regular morning blog-reading list! ps love your blog banner design!
~tiff ~
http://tiffatron.blogspot.com
I do very much agree that craft is good for the soul but can, like any other job or vocation, become just like any other job or vocation if we lose the creative drive that brought us to it in the beginning. I hope you find the balance you're looking for. It can be so hard to find and precarious to keep.
I totally agree! I have the same feelings!
Oh Evie, such a raw and brave post. Thank you for your courage in sharing your heart with us...
It's hard when things are going along so swimmingly and then you seem to hit a 'growing pains' stage. It's hard to trust that everything will be ok. It's hard to have the patience to see where this path is leading you.
But trust your instinct and be gentle on yourself. Take the time to explore the things you need to find peace and balance. Be selfish in that quest...
Oh, and I'm send you bubbles of happiness to tuck into your pocket xx
Hi Evie,
I was reluctant to write given that you already have 20 or so comments here -- which is a wonderful thing in itself! :) I found your post to be very courageous and could relate to it completely. There have been numerous times in my life when creating things was the ONLY thing that kept me going. Congratulations on listening to your instinct -- that is the most important step towards change. I wish you all the best -- that you find what makes YOU feel good and happy. Your blog is really beautiful, I'm so glad that I had good reason to find it! ;)
All the bestest
Sandra
I so very much agree! I'm in a same sort of vibe at the moment and crafting things helps me to get my mind 're-set'. It is so very important to not forget about yourself and what you need. We easily get overwelmed by everything around us, getting back to the old handmade way makes you stop and be in the now (oh dear that sounds a bit new age like too, but you get the point right?). Good luck with going through this! :)
I'm right there with you lovely girl. In fact, I'm so passionate about this topic that I especially added a little craft section into Spoonful talking about the therapeutic nature of craft & how it helps us be okay with the world.
I think you should definitely be one of our featured crafters for an issue - would you be interested in doing that? I think you'd be amazing.
Big hugs, and keep talking to that hippy self of yours, who cares if it sounds hippy if it's what you're needing & feeling.
thea.
xx
(spoonfulzine.com)
I just found your incredible blog after I favorited your shop on Etsy! Through all the beautiful artwork here, this post resonated the most with me. It is so easy to become engrossed in your work and become obsessed with creating that you lose site of balance in your life. I'm glad to be reminded to take a moment for myself as well!
Thank you for sharing!
it´s a good thing to stop and try to figure out whats good and whats not in ones life. I think feeling good is a linked chain of alot of things and honesty is one of the most important ingredients. just stay true to yourself! nd yes, handmade is good for the soul:)
Hope that by now you are feeling better and have your life, body and spirit at ease. Keep doing your crafts, they are great path to happiness and fulfillment.
Love,
Karen
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