general Wednesday blues
I think I am suffering from a creative burnout.... I just can't motivate myself to make anything substantial. I have made two hats in one month. They are identical apart from the colour. James's is yellow, Alistair's green. I find hat knitting unsatisfactory but I was guilt tripped into making them.
James and Alistair have also convinced me that I had to knit them stripy jumpers. Red and grey for Alistair, orange and grey for James. I have started with James' but I am not feeling inspired by it.
I have two lovely fabrics and two amazing patterns - but no mojo to actually get on with it. Coincidentally both fabrics are similar, dark blue with large and small white daisies respectively.
The patterns are the Imogen Top by Sew Me Something and Appleton Dress by Cashmerette. Jenny, the designer of the Appleton dress has sent me the pattern free of charge for review after she read my duffle coat post. I am well chuffed and really look forward to starting with this - if only I could motivate myself. I have at least now confirmed my measurements and next time I am in the office I shall print out the pattern. Our printer is dead. I should probably mention that Jenny is not a devoted follower of my blog (if only) but via my duffle coat post you clicked through to her pattern page often enough to propel my blog post into the stats list.
I have also got a pile of four inch cotton squares destined to be a quilt. I thought this might be something quick and easy but so far I have only stroked the pile and looked at it dreamily.
What is going on? I need a bit of a kick in the butt I think.
If I am honest, I am not just suffering from a creative burnout but also from general fatigue, the 'can't be bothered' kind of fatigue that sometimes hits me in the face with a surprising force. It is contagious I think. Everybody in my house seems to suffer to various degrees. The bickering and fighting is unprecedentedly high and emerging violence has been observed. Pocket money standing orders have been cancelled. Not good. Not even the dog can be bothered. The cats remain unaffected. Although this is difficult to assess because of course they sleep for 16 hours a day.
The weather doesn't help. I cycled two miles to work yesterday and despite wearing full waterproofs, I was wet to the knickers. Seriously! Needless to say that my professional look was gone with the wind and replaced by the vintage scarecrow look. That's was a lie. The truth is that I just looked more dishevelled than usual.
Oh the luxury of being able moan about insignificant problems when in the real world people don't have shelter or healthcare. Go on, give me a virtual kick in the backside!
However, today is Wednesday. Only two more alarm clock days to endure. There is a shimmer of excitement on the horizon. For example, we are eagerly awaiting drawings for our extension and the days are significantly longer than they were a month ago. Some plans are so excitingly secret that I can't even mention them here (but I am not the owner of the missing £33 million lottery ticket). Also, I have booked a place in the Sunday sewing session, which should be a great motivator to get going with at least one of my projects.
Please forgive my mood, I shall return to my normal self soon. xx
I have two lovely fabrics and two amazing patterns - but no mojo to actually get on with it. Coincidentally both fabrics are similar, dark blue with large and small white daisies respectively.
The patterns are the Imogen Top by Sew Me Something and Appleton Dress by Cashmerette. Jenny, the designer of the Appleton dress has sent me the pattern free of charge for review after she read my duffle coat post. I am well chuffed and really look forward to starting with this - if only I could motivate myself. I have at least now confirmed my measurements and next time I am in the office I shall print out the pattern. Our printer is dead. I should probably mention that Jenny is not a devoted follower of my blog (if only) but via my duffle coat post you clicked through to her pattern page often enough to propel my blog post into the stats list.
I have also got a pile of four inch cotton squares destined to be a quilt. I thought this might be something quick and easy but so far I have only stroked the pile and looked at it dreamily.
What is going on? I need a bit of a kick in the butt I think.
If I am honest, I am not just suffering from a creative burnout but also from general fatigue, the 'can't be bothered' kind of fatigue that sometimes hits me in the face with a surprising force. It is contagious I think. Everybody in my house seems to suffer to various degrees. The bickering and fighting is unprecedentedly high and emerging violence has been observed. Pocket money standing orders have been cancelled. Not good. Not even the dog can be bothered. The cats remain unaffected. Although this is difficult to assess because of course they sleep for 16 hours a day.
The weather doesn't help. I cycled two miles to work yesterday and despite wearing full waterproofs, I was wet to the knickers. Seriously! Needless to say that my professional look was gone with the wind and replaced by the vintage scarecrow look. That's was a lie. The truth is that I just looked more dishevelled than usual.
Oh the luxury of being able moan about insignificant problems when in the real world people don't have shelter or healthcare. Go on, give me a virtual kick in the backside!
However, today is Wednesday. Only two more alarm clock days to endure. There is a shimmer of excitement on the horizon. For example, we are eagerly awaiting drawings for our extension and the days are significantly longer than they were a month ago. Some plans are so excitingly secret that I can't even mention them here (but I am not the owner of the missing £33 million lottery ticket). Also, I have booked a place in the Sunday sewing session, which should be a great motivator to get going with at least one of my projects.
Please forgive my mood, I shall return to my normal self soon. xx
Hey Christina,
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for your extention pans. I would love to knock through from our living area into our conservatory, but Marc is having none of it. I think it's the constant wind and rain, that has bought on the blahs. We are suffering from it in our house too. It's no fun walking the dog in the pouring rain, and the boys definitely don't want to accompany me. And I actually can't blame them. I think we could all do with a week or so of sustained sunshine. Your fabric look fab, and I can't wait to see the end result when your arse finally gets into gear ;))
Take care,
Leanne xx
I am truly beginning to think there is something about the January blues you know, I shall undertake some research during the next 11 months to see if it happens again! Ah first world problems & all that, it intrigues me that we have to give ourselves permission for a minor moan or three. Your extension plans sound exciting I'm having a porch - meh! Looking forward to seeing your completed projects xx
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's entitled to feel a bit blah now and again but even more so in January, when you've been wet through to the knickers. It's the worst! I'm looking forward to (a lot) less rain and the ability to let the girls play outside in the garden rather than argue with each other and me. I love that fabric and cannot wait to see what you make with it! xx
ReplyDeleteAh Christina, no one is going to kick your lovely bum! That fabric is awesome, I have a similar print for a shirt dress, cut but not sewn. January does this to people especially if you have little ones who you need to turfed outside. Jo x
ReplyDeleteOnce you get started you'll be unstoppable! January gets on everyones nerves, our cat sleeps about 23 hours a day and goes around being a pain in the patooie when she's awake. Like the fabric, can't wait to see what you do with it.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever get through with the Christmas afghan I have several projects lined up.
Ah Christina...sometimes that kind of mood hits all of us. I know it will pass :0) but your fabric is just beautiful. Look at it...touch it a bit and imagine what you will create with it. :0) mari
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Christina. I understand. I feel like a lazy slug lately. I'm just not my usually cheerful, sunny self (haha). I love Cashmerette, what a nice blog, and how great to have a chance to make the Appleton dress. I've been enjoying watching the popularity of it on the sewing blogs. I'm sure it will be a lovely make and will look terrific on you.
ReplyDeleteThat's what is so great about blogging..you can get all the bad stuff out of your system. I think you are suffering from a bad case of the winter blues! Hope you enjoy your Sunday sewing class..thinking of you . Barbara X
ReplyDeleteI don't think the 'count your blessings' argument is much good when you're feeling low. We all get weeks or months when for no apparent reason life gets us down. I do hope you start to feel more positive soon. The hats look great! I love the bright colours. The squares for your soon-to-be quilt look like beautiful colours and prints too. Enjoy your stitching class! X
ReplyDeleteIt's the dark mornings. I'm sure of it. I feel the same though my can't be bothered-ness only extends to housework strangely .....
ReplyDeleteJillxo
Sounds like a bit of cabin fever or January blues to me. I was feeling a bit restless today, and that's why I went off to the woods for a bit. Clears my head being out for a walk. I like the little hat you made, and look forward to seeing the jumpers. Did you finish your duffle coat? I'll have to skip back some posts to see (not very good at keeping up with everyone lately). Hope your week improves as we creep closer to the weekend!
ReplyDeleteWendy
I love the boys' hats and I think it's really sweet that they want you to knit them jumpers. I love their colour choices too. I hope your making mojo returns soon and you'll feel more up beat about things. I'm also admiring your pile of fabric squares though I don't envy you the task of arranging them, deciding which colour/pattern goes where. When I made my patchwork blanket, that bit took longer than the sewing!x
ReplyDeleteSometimes all we need to do is start. I pick the most appealing out of my unappealing pile of jobs, make hot chocolate, put something happy on the CD player and generally find that after the first half of hour of "can I REALLY be bothered with this?", the incentive to carry on is greater than the incentive to stop. Your boys will look very smart in their matching jumpers, and they won't want you to knit for them for much longer so appreciate that while you can! :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI am sure that your creativity will return, I think it is the time of year and all that darned rain! Hope that your secret plans are exciting and go well! xx
ReplyDeleteYou will get your mojo back I am sure. After the Holidays and all that hustle and bustle I think it is good to just let go. If it makes you feel better, last night I was so tired I almost got sick. See I have not mojo either, for Pete's sake I got excited about a garter stitch scarf finish.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
Be kind to yourself... It's January and everyone is entitled to feel like this sometimes. You'll feel full of energy again before you know it
ReplyDeleteHi there love your blog. I'm not a fan of January just getting through it with the odd smile on my face is an achievement which takes constant working at. However I now write a gratitude journal which altho I was sceptical at first helps me to retain some peace and contentment until my mood starts to sunny up naturally.
ReplyDeleteChristina - you are an amazing high achiever. You work and cycle to work , you have four children, you have just finished making a beautiful coat. It is just the January blues and a lot of us are feeling it I think. I love the daisy fabrics, very Mary Quant, and your pile of patchwork squares looks fab. Keep going - you are doing brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteWe all have times like this when we can't seem to get going with things I'm sure you will be back on form soon. I agree the weather doesn't help but it will soon be spring. I seem to have phases of getting loads done followed by a month of procrastination. xx
ReplyDeleteI could have written this post! Well the exhausted, unmotivated part anyway. In fact I have already written a similar post which resides in my drafts folder and should be published in a day or two. I think the grey skies have a lot to do with how we feel, but speaking for myself I know I've also been overdoing it, trying to be all things to all people, and I suspect you have similar tendencies. Look after yourself Christina :)
ReplyDeleteJanuary can be cruel. I seem to forget this for eleven months of the year, then am surprised all over again at what a drudge it is to get through this month. It's funny though. My strategy this time around has been to go on a crafting binge. But I'm feeling quite unmotivated in all other areas of life. Hang in there Christina! Tomorrow is the first day of February, and we're that much closer to longer days, more light, and hopefully a little less bad weather.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely weekend x it was a bit wild and windy wasn't it !
ReplyDelete