An Eye-Opener

[nuranar]

I've started working on a 2013 sewing roundup post, based on working my way through the sewing notebook. Between that and things that I do remember, I'm up to *gulp* 29 items. That includes unfinished objects, which number 8. That's significant; but 3 UFOs are shifts that have high priority by definition.  And only 2 UFOs are attributable to my attempt at the HSF.

What I've learned from making the list:

1. I was really  - even amazingly - productive. I work full time at a job that I can't combine with sewing, I have regular rehearsals for two choirs plus performances, and I'm leading a Bible study; plus family events. While I don't have family at home, that also means that all the housework, cooking, and yardwork are my responsibility alone. And I still managed to complete or all but complete at least 22 sewing projects. That may sound like either a lot or a little to you; but for me, it is incredibly, incredibly affirming.

2. I need to stop guilting myself for wasting energy on HSF projects. Only 2 out of the entire 29 were inspired by the HSF and not finished. The time I spent on the 1860s flowered sheer could have greatly reduced my pre-Costume College stress, but it was on my Must Do list before I'd even heard of the HSF. Simply: It was unavoidable.

3. The last month of sewing room avoidance was a very good thing. I certainly wasn't burned out, but I wasn't enthusiastic about anything. Yet all day Monday I could scarcely stand it, because I was SO EXCITED to work on my stays. If I had forced myself to work over vacation, I would probably be much further along; but I would not be so happy about it.

4. My goals for this year are not as stupidly ambitious as I have been subconsciously convinced. And I need to stop feeling depressed that I'm being stupid for committing to so much!

Comments

[jordannamorgan]

Wow! :D It certainly boggles *me* that you can do such a huge amount of *everything*. I wish I could be that productive with my writing!

[nuranar]

There's a whole lot of goofing off in there, I assure you! As I was discussing with suededsilk on LJ, it also helps that all these activities are physically, mentally, and geographically very different from each other. So while I do a lot, it all feels different, and each thing is truly a break from something else. Note that blogging is *not* on that list. After 9+ hours a day on the computer at work, spending 2-3 more on the computer, even to write a fun blog post, *feels* like work.

[jordannamorgan]

--After 9+ hours a day on the computer at work, spending 2-3 more on the computer, even to write a fun blog post, *feels* like work.--

Yeah, after doing beadwork for profit, making jewelry for myself can be less fun and engaging. It was good this weekend because, between the Anime Day depression and running low on charms, I hadn't done much beadwork at all in the past two weeks. So I was more enthused about working on my own stuff than I would have been when I was restocking my cube, and often making 4-6 sellable items each evening.

(In spite of my past belief that not leaving my desk for hours made for thousand-word-plus writing sessions, I've also noticed in the past couple of weeks that stepping away for just a few minutes can be refreshing.)

[nuranar]

Ooh, I can see that about the beadwork. It's one reason I've strenuously resisted even half-hearted attempts to get me to sew something for a price. When I turn that hobby into a job, it will be work. But the ones who are successful at it tend to do a good job of balancing activities. I'm glad you were able to seize that time!

That really makes sense. To an extent, I can understand with the not-leaving thing. It's not the same thing, but when writing essays for English, I did make myself sit down and not stop until it was done, and those were 1400-1700 word jobs. But I also had an imminent deadline to motivate me, and there was a lot less creative effort involved.

[jordannamorgan]

It's a mixed blessing: I can slow down because my cube is full now, but the resulting money would be extremely helpful if it became *not*-full more quickly. :Þ

I don't know if the brief pauses in writing are just a way my brain function has changed. Staying locked in on a scene for hours *did* formerly work for me, but right now it seems like my brain starts to get a little numb after a while. Sometimes I think *literally* falling asleep would be a danger, if I didn't go get a snack or wash the dishes. :Þ Things like that have usually been snapping me out of it, though.