well the days started getting shorter after the equinoxe, 21st September, that's a good 6 weeks ago, so I don't think it's too early for SAD, the change in the day length is much faster around the equinoxe and it's only 6 weeks until the shortest day, but there is much less change between now and then than there always has been. Dependant on where you live, the weather can also mean you get less sun exposure due to the change in weather, so don't dismiss SAD completely.
Cheers Anne
Which means more time for sewin', right? ;)
Hugs!! Connie :)
On Nov 5, 5:45 am, Maureen Wozniak wrote: Hi Maureen, Sorry you're in a funk........ I think we've all been there.
When it happens to me, I don't push myself. I get a pile of magazines such as decorating, cooking, gardening........ a look through them. I talk on the phone with friends. I clean out my junk drawer. I turn off the TV and listen to some favorite music, and I get outside with the dogs. I love going to Home Depot and looking at paint swatches and decorating ideas. Another "sure fire" remedy is some "me time". One of my favorite indulgences is a pedicure and a facial. You'll feel like a new woman, and they aren't very expensive. I'm not sure where you live, but we have tons of art galleries around here to wander through (there's some REALLY strange stuff out there labeled "art"). Make a really good cup of hot cocoa - melt some white chocolate chips in it, and stir it with a peppermint stick. Bake a cake and take it to a neighbor. Try a new recipe. Wander through a bookstore. No sense in beating yourself up because you're uninspired. It will come back......
just spend time doing whatever suits you. Take good care.
Patti in Seattle
Here's what I'm _always_ afraid of when I feel like that. I worry that I've lost interest.
I have always jumped from one craft to another. Crocheting, cross stitch, acrylic painting. paper crafts, etc. And I've bought every single tool, supply and pattern I could get my hands on to go with each phase of my obsession.
Sewing has always woven through my other passions. I never was interested in "quilting" because; 1) My grandmas always supplied me with "blankets" and B) I knew I didn't have the intestinal fortitude to wrestle a big quilt. But I've always loved to sew.
I credit Boyd's Bears with turning me on to quilting. They started selling little tiny quilts to go with their bears and _I _was_ _hooked_!
So, I've pretty much gotten rid (or hidden away) most of my other craft paraphernalia, and focused on quilting and peripheral crafts.
It's been 5 years now, but I still get nervous when I lose interest for a couple days. My saving grace is that I can pull out some embroidery or hand work. The thing that saves me is that always before, I've lost interest in a craft only when I found one that took it's place.
Hopefully, this sewing/quilting/embroidery obsession has enough variants that I won't get bored and wander into a, oh, cheesemaking class or something and get hooked.
I worried for awhile that bead/jewelry making was going to inch it's way in. And it kind of did with embellishments.
My advice is to go clean your sewing room. You'll find something that will trip your trigger.
Cindy
Maureen - I've definitely BTDT and purchased the tee-shirt! When I'm stuck and unable to focus on the task at hand ( be it quilting, home dec sewing, card making, needlework, or knitting ), I clear up the clutter in an effort to clear my mind. If that doesn't work, rather than try to force myself to work on something that isn't of interest, I'll just take a break and read.
- dlm. in central MA
I agree with Anne, living up north and with the weather being generally awful we've had a week of very little light. My litebox which I have next to my computer is on every morning just now for an hour while I sit and check my emails. It's amazing how that hour passes and before you know it you've had your "light medicine" for the day. It takes a couple of weeks to feel benefit but you must keep it up through to mid spring.
Try also to get some exercise if you are able. I've started going swimming once a week with a friend. It's a struggle to go but between two of us nudging each other we go and always feel the benefit of it after. (actually quite pleasant while in the pool, it's the getting out and getting dried and dressed that's the pain bit). Also a mild happy pill from the doc helps ;) ALOT. Usually this time of year I'm well in the doldrums but this year, touch wood things aren't too bad.
Another reason for quilting blahs is actually doing commissioned work. I found this when I foolishly took on two a couple of years ago. It took me awhile after finishing my last one to actually getting my quilting mojo back. My young but very wise daughter says that if you turn a hobby into work it ceases to be a hobby. She is so right. I did this with gardening which I used to love. I got a job in a garden center and ended up neglecting my garden as I couldn't face it. I finally left the job and it's taken a few years to slowly get interested in my garden again. (Now I don't have the stamina)
I like Pat in Virginia's ideas.
Elly > Mickie Swall wrote:
On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 08:04:35 -0600, joan8904 in Bellevue Nebraska wrote (in article ):
Still sounds like more than I've been able to accomplish. I am going to need to force myself here shortly because I've got Xmas cards to make and Xmas gifts to embroider.
Maureen
On Wed, 7 Nov 2007 04:33:01 -0600, Elly wrote (in article ):
That's interesting. David was saying last night that I put too much pressure on when it comes to hobbies. Something about treating them like work.
OTH, our guild has a show in March and I've got Xmas gifts to do so...
Maureen
On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 08:03:58 -0600, Kate G. wrote (in article ):
I'll have to give this a try on Saturday. Maybe I'll manage to kick start myself.
Maureen
On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 08:40:41 -0600, Idahoqltr wrote (in article ):
Hope you're right. I'm saving all these ideas and hope something will work for me this weekend.
Maureen
On Mon, 5 Nov 2007 22:38:19 -0600, snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote (in article ):
Funny you should mention the music. We just got our cd player fixed after about a year and have been able to listen to cds again. Well, actually, I don't think it was really broken. Just a little off balance because the cabinet it was in was on the edge of the rug. Front end up being just a smidge higher than the back and that seem to have upset it. Last time the cleaning ladies were here they moved the rug and bit and miracle, the player started working just fine.
Maureen
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required