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Friday, September 16, 2011

Sew Pass

I deal with a lot of guilt in life - what's that about.  I live so aware of what other's think and so often find myself attempting to please man rather than God.  Just writing that makes me twinge a bit, cause you might think less of me now *wink*.  I know it's wrong and that I am fallen but forgiven; I have an audience of one, etc.  While my brain knows the fact of it,  I am trying to grow in practically living the truth of it.  

What's that got to do with sewing? 

Well, at counselling yesterday I was asked what I am planning for "self care" now that school had started and we are starting to get into a routine of sorts.  One of the first things I thought of was sewing.  I am shocked at the joy I get from sewing and I was telling Patti that I plan to sew with friends for a couple hours every other week.  Her response? "Oh, that's wonderful! A creative outlet and time with friends - two GREAT ways to care for yourself!"  That, my friends, is a paradigm shift.

See my tendency is to think that sewing every other week with friends is selfish and I could better spend my time doing housework of some kind (a.k.a marking something off my list).  I am growing to learn that I can't have a list that is ONLY about me, but it is okay - no, important - to have myself on my list.  Caring for myself will allow me to take better care of my family and the other responsibilities God has given me.  So, I am giving myself a "Sew Pass"!!
altered photo from Controlling My Chaos

Disclaimer: Patti didn't stop with sewing as self care but made me dig a bit deeper and we came up with a list of five or six things that were necessary and would positively impact my personal and familial quality of life.  It's hopeful, really.
What's up first? I have some precious knits that I can't wait to sew.  There's the seasonal need for jammies and then there are a couple skirts and dresses I saw on Pinterest.  Like this one:
                                                                         Source: thetraintocrazy.com via Becky on Pinterest

or this one:
                                                                             Source: craftsy.com via Becky on Pinterest

Here's the stash:

Little has informed me that the pink with brown polka dots will be her first pair of jammies and I have even found it on, under and beside my sewing machine on multiple occasions!

I really don't have anything planned for Bubba except for jammies.  (I love when he comes out and sits on the porch with me while I sew.)

Then there's this little stack that's being transformed as we "speak":

And this bigger stack that is halfway complete:

Just looking at the pretty fabric and typing some plans makes my heart glad!!!
What do YOU DO for self care??

I'm off to do number ONE on my list - shower AND wash my hair!!!!!!

5 comments:

Debbie said...

Yea for self-care! Can't wait to see what you sew! My personal self-care plan includes scrapbooking, reading a good book, and walking--all of which I have "scheduled" for my day today :). I hope to see the benefits in my family next week . . .

Dawn said...

I'm still working on how to schedule that kind of thing in so it doesn't fall by the wayside when life gets crazy.

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the reminder. There's a pleated dress waiting for me to smock for Lillian so she's not the only child I haven't made an outfit for. Maybe I can do it some tonight; it would feel good to my hands to work on it.

Catherine said...

I'm just like you with the worrying what other people think thing. Such a hard habit to break - it's more like a sickness really. Bet I'm worse at it than you.

Did you know that "sharpening the saw" (as he calls it) is one of Stephen Covey's seven habits of highly effective people? Time out to renew yourself is a highly effective thing to do! I'm even inspired by your sewing plans, Becky! Enjoy.

hjones said...

And it really accomplishes so much! I wouldn't miss Wednesday morning with my friends who knit/crochet/quilt for a couple of hours.