Soothing the soul
I imagine that everyone has something that soothes their soul. Some people probably spend a day at a spa, or read, or play golf, or even indulge in a little retail therapy when things get too much.
Top of my list when I’m stressed is being on my own in my little sewing niche, listening to a nice audible book and sewing. There is something so calming, so relaxing about piecing pretty fabrics together. It’s creative, yet at the same time there’s also enough of a repetition that I end up almost in a meditative state. Only stipple quilting puts me more into the zone!
I don’t need to go out or do anything dramatic. I don’t need a major achievement or to bore the ears off a close friend. I just need time to be quiet, time to potter, time to draw all the loose threads of my life together into some semblance of order. Time to be. Time to be me and to do something that makes me happy.
I think it’s a healthy thing. I don’t know what I would do if for some reason in the future I wasn’t able to sew anymore. I really do think that through thick and thin it’s the sewing that keeps me sane!
(And it’s way cheaper than therapy!)
helen
September 20th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
I’m the same! I often think of my sewing room as my cave where I can flee from the world and like you, with a audio book plugged into my ears. Nothing better.
September 20th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I do love the Bear Paw block. I have a UFO that is made up of scrappy Bear Paws that I just rediscovered. I had taken a class a few years ago, and that was the project. I got back home and put it up on the shelf and never got back to it. Now that I see your pretty blocks, mine are calling to me!
September 20th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
And tea, tea always soothes…! Anything I can get absorbed in and not be interrupted for a lengthy period of time, something that is a good excuse to shut myself away or tuck myself into a corner – reading, knitting… and always a few cups of tea at my side (possibly a candle?!). Bliss.
September 20th, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Being with the llamas soothes me. They’re such gentle, elegant creatures you can’t help but feel relaxed and zen around them!
September 20th, 2012 at 8:11 pm
I had the sleepless nights, the furrowed brow, all the usual side effects of having a daughter. I survived the making of tutu’s ,and the ( at 9pm, ) “I must have a white tennis skirt for tomorrow morning “(that she didn’t in fact wear ), the “I hate this school”.”your rules”..etc etc .the usual.
Once she reached adulthood she and I have been good friends, and earlier this year she called me. Out of the blue she thanked me for everything, the way I had really cared for her and protected her, and made sure she had a good education etc etc. Over and over she said “thank you Mum”
So hang on in there, concentrate on the peaceful and creative sewing , dream of the future, and survive each day.
(My daughter is forty five years old…)
September 20th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
Oh yes, sewing is definitely my escape time!
September 20th, 2012 at 11:44 pm
The blocks are beautiful! Keep enjoying!!
September 21st, 2012 at 8:29 am
Sewing can sometimes wind me up if it doesn’t go to plan. Default for me is the garden- nothing out there can wind me up!
September 21st, 2012 at 8:45 am
These are just lovely Helen. No wonder your soul is soothed! I agree, there is nothing that calms me like a good sewing session, even the ones where I have to get my seam ripper out!
September 22nd, 2012 at 10:31 am
I can see how calming sewing must be for you just by looking at the end product, though my own sewing skills are so poor it would be a source of stress for me. My calming activities are knitting, playing music and historical research (which overlaps with my job and I actually get paid for!).
September 23rd, 2012 at 4:01 am
SewIng is, indeed, the best therapy. Love your blocks.
September 24th, 2012 at 10:36 am
Pretty blocks Helen – look after yourself.