I'm in a rut
sorry for the low quality Instagram picture
A couple of weeks ago I sewed two dresses for my trip to Los Angeles and last Sunday I made six of these
grocery totes as Christmas gifts. Since then I have not done anything sewing related and I feel weird about it. All day I think about sewing nonstop, but at the end of the day when I have the opportunity to sew I don't and I'm not sure why. I'm not sure if I'm burned out, overwhelmed by all the possibilities and don't know where to start, don't have a new project to focus on, or if I'm just lazy. It's the strangest thing. Hopefully, I will get out of this rut I am in. Here's to a productive weekend!
Bleh, I've been there. I think the thing that worked for me was to do something really exciting. Something that you keep putting off so that you can do other things. Or you can do something super easy and kind of force yourself through it, then when you finish you get a big sense of accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my life. lol I always do a lot more planning and thinking about sewing than I do actual sewing. I have the best of intentions but it doesn't always work out... for me I think it's a mix of laziness (why can't I spend 15 minutes a day, isn't not that hard), nervousness about my slow-but-growing skill set, and probably most of all being overwhelmed by all the possibilities. It's very easy for me to get bogged down by ideas. I'm hoping in the new year I'll be able to come up with a regular routine that keeps me from feeling that was as much.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll snap out of it soon and be back to your productive self! Sometimes it's nice to just take a breather, too. :)
Oh, I understand you so well! I keep dreaming up all the things I want to make, and then ... don't make them. Part of my rut is a neighbour who complains whenever I use my sewing machine after 7pm, which kinda makes it hard to find a time when you're also working :( And it generally puts a damper on the spirit if you sew in constant anticipation of a knock on the door.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed you get back into the swing soon!
Me too, I'm getting out my knitting needles instead. For the first time in probably nine months.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you could be describing me in this post! At work all day I sneak in reading sewing blogs, scour the web for sewing inspiration, think about sewing...then I come home...and nothing! By the time I've cooked and we've eaten, I start to shut down and all the creativity drains from inside me. So sad, but I'm thankful for weekends!
ReplyDeleteHowever, you do actually sound like you've been super productive, so I'm sure you'll be back on it soon ;o)
I feel in constant waves of productivity against the feeling of I cannot do it.. I guess it's normal.. Doesn't mean isn't annoying. Take the holidays and rest...
ReplyDeleteugh I feel ya! I daydream about sewing all day at work. I think, I can't wait to get home so I can sew. Then I get home and I can't wait to lay on the couch. I think my problem is a mix of laziness and just being overwhelmed by all I want to do. Sometimes I don't know where to start. I find though I'm more productive on the weekends. Work just drains it all out of me some days. Looks like you've got a lot accomplished! Maybe you just need a break.
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel that way, I figure I just need a break. And before long I'm feeling all motivated and productive again. It's hard for me to feel motivated when faced with cutting out fabric again though--my least favorite part of the process ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm taking a sewing break to make jam and marmalade because stone fruits are in season. Give yourself a chance to recharge your batteries.
ReplyDeleteActually, this is a great blog post- and judging by the comments you're not alone here! It's nice to remind ourselves we aren't all dynamos... when you have a blog (well for me at least), it's easy to compare, compare, compare!! My mojo has waned lately lol. And that's okay! Take a break and relax, and most importantly don't beat yourself up if you don't feel like sewing all the time!
ReplyDeleteBut I must confess, I don't always take my own advice, heh. It's a learning process!
I experience the EXACT same thing. I think/dream about sewing all day, but frequently can't muster up the effort/energy to actually work on anything! It's annoying!
ReplyDeleteYou might just be tired! I constantly daydream about sewing while I'm at work, but by the end of the day, and sometimes even on the weekend, I just feel so exhausted that it's hard to work up the energy to even trace a pattern. Don't feel guilty-- you'll get back to being productive when you're ready to.
ReplyDeleteIt's the end of the year- be kind to yourself and have a lovely cocktail! The creative juices will be back in no time and it's always great to have a break after a period of creativity :D
ReplyDeleteBe good to yourself, you might just need a creative break. We all take them from time to time. It is normal. Embrace the change and you will get back to sewing when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, we all go thru that occasionally, but I bet that new machine will get you going again. Adorable totes.
ReplyDelete