Have you ever looked around and realized that you truly don’t know what it is you want or even like any more? I’ve felt that way for a while — basically since my entire identity shifted with motherhood. I’ve spent years and years prioritizing everyone else’s wants, needs, and dreams to the point where I’ve completely forgotten mine.
I’ve spent some time unpacking this through journaling and in therapy, and I have to say that it’s been hitting me hard. Here I am at the ripe old age of 47 and I don’t even know what I like anymore. And when I do find something that I like, I hyper-focus on it for a while (hours, days, weeks, months…) and then it fades into oblivion, never to be enjoyed again.
When I look at the bigger picture, though, there are some things that all of those starts and stops have in common. And those are the places where I find the most joy and excitement.
Here’s a non-exhaustive (and completely random) list of the things that I enjoy:
- Creating things with my hands. Doesn’t matter what it is — crafting, cooking, baking, drawing, coloring, sewing — the act of making things is like magic to me. The sense of accomplishment and pride I feel after taking supplies or ingredients and turning them into something completely new is unmatched.
- Learning new things and/or mastering a new skill. As someone who didn’t always love learning in school or structured environments, I truly love learning and mastering new skills. When I first learned to code a website, HOT DAMN. Doing graphic design for the first time and creating something I really liked? Amazing. Every time I sew something, I feel like a total badass. And don’t even get me started on the sense of amazement I felt when I made flowers out of crepe paper for the very first (second, third, fourth …) time.
- Planning, organizing, and getting started on a new project. I feel like this is the natural evolutions of the first two items. I love the concept, branding, and endless potential phase of starting a new project. To go from idea to tangible concept is really cool to me. Hence why I get so excited about new projects but then fizzle out when it comes time to implement and do the rote day-to-day tasks associated with the project.
- Feeling strong and solid in my body, especially after a long walk or workout. Starting or planning a workout? Not so much. But that feeling of occupying space in my body and being completely grounded post-workout is a really wonderful one. And not one I feel often.
- Finding creative ways to use what I already have. It feels like a special kind of alchemy to be able to take scraps or items that would be otherwise tossed and turn them into something useful and/or pretty. To see potential in everything and then turn those ideas into reality ticks all sorts of boxes for me. More of that, please.
- Thrifting. There is something truly special for me in sorting through other people’s discards and finding treasure. It’s like a low stakes treasure hunt. And also seeing the potential in things that most others don’t.
My brain is officially in overdrive now, trying to find ways to work those things into my day-to-day life. I think I’ve come up with something (it’s probably eerily similar to what Project:52 and TWELVE by TWENTY FOUR were supposed to be), but hopefully this will be a bit less structured and, therefore, more likely for me to see it through.
The working title is The Craft Chronicles, and I plan to choose a focus for the month to explore projects and make things that have been on my to-make list for ages. (AKA everything I’ve pinned in my DIY+ Sewing Pinterest board that I have yet to make. 😂)
Areas I want to focus on:
- Sewing
- Collage
- Drawing
- Painting
- Paper Making / Paper Mâché
- Crepe Paper Flowers
- Felt Appliqué / Embroidery
- Bath + Beauty DIY’s
- Bookbinding
- Knitting / Crochet
- Jewelry Making / Beadwork
- Textiles (i.e.—dying fabric with things like onion skins, avocado pits, and dandelions, as well as block printing designs)
My goal is to kick this off for the month of June. I’m thinking sewing will be the first category I explore, with several projects already calling my name. I’ll recap what I create each week (or month) here on the blog, but if you want to see it unfold in real time, make sure to follow me over on Instagram. (@xomadewithlev)
Want to get in on the fun? I’d love to have you join me in the crafting. Please make sure to tag me online and/or send me what you’re working on. And if you’re local to Pittsburgh, I’m a thousand percent down for a crafternoon where we meet up and work on something together.
