The timing was right for me. I am 76 and retiring from work. My problem is people are always asking me about what I did today. I am sorting out fabric and sewing items that I collected for retirement. Now need to donate and give a whole lot away. My collection overwhelms me. I live in South Africa and you would think it should be easy to donate fabric. People don't sew and not many places where people are taught. I need to only keep what I need and like. Not sure that to do now.
I Hope you can find a good home for it! It can be disheartening when you find it difficult to part with something, only to realize no one else seems to want it. But then again, it can make me realize that the value of “stuff” is really relative, and often emotional.
When I worked, I looked foward to not working. I thought I would have time for lots of making, reading and other activities. I seem to not get everything I want done. Frustrating and feel I must be doing it all wrong. I look foward to see how the new idea works.
I suspect I'd feel the same way. My retired neighbor was telling me the same thing the other day too. I've had the last 2 weeks off work, and still didn't feel I was able to do everything I wanted.
This definitely resonates with me—I'm no minimalist, and never will be, but the accumulation of physical stuff and mental stuff is (and has been for some time) suffocating to me, and I am really finding the need to divest from a lot of it. How to do it is really problematic, because it just takes so much time—I'm not the kind of person who can just look at a box and toss it out without going through the contents, but every day that passes convinces me that this is a necessity. If I come up with an answer for how to do it, I'll get back to you!
"This is on top of all the actual necessities and responsibilities of life and running a small business. I feel rushed and frenzied most of the time. It always feels like I’m leaving something out or letting someone down. I’m constantly watching the clock, wondering how to fit everything into a 24 hour day.
The result is that I spend more of my life than I’d like to admit not being fully present. I’m anxious about how little time I have, as I make long to-do lists that never get completed, multitask through everything, and allow my days to blend into one another."
Although I've been reading along since you've started Making Time, I tend to be really quiet online and haven't commented, but the quote above resonated with me so deeply. This is how I've felt all year due to similar demands and while it's definitely not how I want to continue to live my life, all of it feels so mandatory that it's hard to know where to start about changing things. I'm really looking forward to reading about your approaches, Sarai and I hope it helps bring about the changes you want to see. I've been grateful for all the interesting and enjoyable things you've shared here this year so thank you and Happy New Year.
Tiffany, thank you so much for sharing. I hope we both find some new, more adaptive ways to engage with the crush of life this year! I’m rooting for you too.
Yes, yes, and yes! This really speaks to me. Maybe it is because we are just coming off the rush of the holidays, but it feels essential to reevaluate. Am I getting what I want from X, Y and Z? If I was to discard one or all, would I miss them? It feels good to know that I'm not alone.
The feeling that there is so much I want to do and not enough time in my life to do it all is kind of consuming me. Last year I decided to stop buying fabric and patterns for a year so that I would use up what I have. Although I made a lot of things and loved doing it I feel like I didn't even make a dent. So I've got the same resolution this year. I am nowhere near having the size of stash my fellow sewists have. It's just two shelves. I have too many ideas and 24 hours in the day just isn't doing it. I don't even have a job! I'm a retired paint contractor so the studio is half sewing and half painting supplies. The thought that I'll die before I make all the things I want is constantly hanging over me so I'm going to follow you and hopefully figure out how to weed out the unnecessary stuff. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a hard problem, because it feels like a microcosm of the rest of life. We’re never able to do and see and experience and create all that we want. And even though we know it’s true, it’s so hard to accept!
OMG! When I read the beginning of "The Constant Need for “More”" I could have written it myself! Are we all feeling the same?! I'm on board with you and looking forward to your monthly practice. I have a simple goal for 2024, always have a work in progress from my UFO/Upcycling/Repair pile along my current sewing project, I'm picking my first one today! Happy New Year Sarai and thank you for Making Time, I always enjoy reading it.
Thank you Sarai! I find I have so many things I want to accomplish and not enough time to do them. Your musings really spoke to me to on how to sort through the list to make the most impactful meaning to my life.
I’ve been a seamwork member for over a year. Haven’t made much yet. But it is really made me think about purchases of stuff. Haven’t purchased any new clothing in close to a year. Purchased a lot of fabric that I haven’t made into anything yet? I’m very glad to see this new blog Making Time. and I am joining you in limiting my buying and purging my closet. Thank you.
Yes, I so agree. This year I plan to slow down and really focus and create purpose with all my projects. 2023, was a blitz of sewing which was fab, but I felt I rushed through everything in order to start the next one. Not so for 2024.
While it's important to engage in life, we can't be present for every single moment. Switching off is as important as connecting and gives us the opportunity to reflect and recharge. The danger for me is then wallowing in the absence of engagement, so when I feel like that, I have committed to doing something. Whether it be a household task, a creative activity or a physical one, setting myself free from procrastination makes me feel alive and ready for more. I love learning (and substack has opened pandora's box of learning opportunities) but I recognise that I can only absorb so much at a time. Then I need to "do" to cement my learning. It's all a balancing act. Lucky me to have these opportunities.
Yes, it makes me feel very lucky to be able to make these choices as well! As for me, I definitely agree that decompressing is part of the balance, but I’m trying to find ways to do it that don’t feel quite so addictive and technology focused. Great points!
Last year was a transition year. We downsized from our suburban home of 30+ years and moved into a small apartment in a brand new retirement community. We spent our time organizing and furnishing our apartment, trying out everything the community offers and making new friends. We have a few projects related to the move following us into 2024 as well as some ongoing health issues.
My plans for this year, though, are all about taking care of myself...no resolutions, no shoulds or musts or schedules...just a few overarching themes to guide and shape my life. I'm starting with eliminating most added sugar and empty calories from my diet. Exercise is as important as healthy eating, but I want to cut back on the number of classes I take and spend more time outside just walking and hiking and enjoying nature. I will be sewing and scanning family photographs without self-imposed deadlines. Most of all I want to slow down enough to really listen to others without worrying about how I should respond. I want to look forward to each day with energy and anticipation and go to bed each night full of gratitude and peace.
What a thoughtful post Sarai! You describe so clearly how life has been for me for years..driven by the do more, produce, acquire etc. I took early retirement last year following a nasty accident ( rushing to do something else from my todo list). I fell backwards off the bed, a high one, while cleaning the ceiling with the vacuum cleaner. Result - broke my leg, got a hospital infection in the operation site and spent 5 months in hospital and rehab clinic, then 8 months going to rehab 3 times a week to learn to walk again. You’d think I would have learned something from that... but no! I still worry about not doing enough and feel guilty if I spend a whole day doing nothing in particular. But at least I’m aware of it now. And it’s a work in progress. I’m up for the challenge in 2024. It’s so good to see I’m not alone in this... so many of us are stuck in our habits driven by pressures that come from the do it all culture that’s grown up over the last 20 years or so. Thank you 😊
Oh Bee, that sounds so difficult! My grandmother recently fell and broke her leg, had complications in the hospital, and is on the long road to recovery. She is also a chronic do-er and hurt herself doing a household task. So this tendency really can be dangerous!
Thank you for sharing your struggles! My todo list and desires get so built up in my head that I shut down and do very little of them, so this post resonates so much. I want to slow down in 2024, and I'm looking forward to playing along with your experiment! <3
I’m glad! It can be hard to share these things, especially when it’s the same struggle that keeps popping up! But I’m looking forward to trying some new approaches.
When I make a list in my head, I end up down a rabbit hole of potential disaster, so I make a physical "have to do" and "want to do" list. Each time I complete a task, I have the satisfaction of crossing off that thing. It also requires being realistic about how I organise my time. Sometimes I fail, according to my own expectations, but it's ok. One task at a time, done properly, is what it takes to inspire fulfilment.
The timing was right for me. I am 76 and retiring from work. My problem is people are always asking me about what I did today. I am sorting out fabric and sewing items that I collected for retirement. Now need to donate and give a whole lot away. My collection overwhelms me. I live in South Africa and you would think it should be easy to donate fabric. People don't sew and not many places where people are taught. I need to only keep what I need and like. Not sure that to do now.
I Hope you can find a good home for it! It can be disheartening when you find it difficult to part with something, only to realize no one else seems to want it. But then again, it can make me realize that the value of “stuff” is really relative, and often emotional.
Thank you for that. It's just stuff.
When I worked, I looked foward to not working. I thought I would have time for lots of making, reading and other activities. I seem to not get everything I want done. Frustrating and feel I must be doing it all wrong. I look foward to see how the new idea works.
I suspect I'd feel the same way. My retired neighbor was telling me the same thing the other day too. I've had the last 2 weeks off work, and still didn't feel I was able to do everything I wanted.
This definitely resonates with me—I'm no minimalist, and never will be, but the accumulation of physical stuff and mental stuff is (and has been for some time) suffocating to me, and I am really finding the need to divest from a lot of it. How to do it is really problematic, because it just takes so much time—I'm not the kind of person who can just look at a box and toss it out without going through the contents, but every day that passes convinces me that this is a necessity. If I come up with an answer for how to do it, I'll get back to you!
I’m not a minimalist either. The idea activates too many of my perfectionist tendencies. But I do feel that a sprinkle of minimalism might be helpful!
"This is on top of all the actual necessities and responsibilities of life and running a small business. I feel rushed and frenzied most of the time. It always feels like I’m leaving something out or letting someone down. I’m constantly watching the clock, wondering how to fit everything into a 24 hour day.
The result is that I spend more of my life than I’d like to admit not being fully present. I’m anxious about how little time I have, as I make long to-do lists that never get completed, multitask through everything, and allow my days to blend into one another."
Although I've been reading along since you've started Making Time, I tend to be really quiet online and haven't commented, but the quote above resonated with me so deeply. This is how I've felt all year due to similar demands and while it's definitely not how I want to continue to live my life, all of it feels so mandatory that it's hard to know where to start about changing things. I'm really looking forward to reading about your approaches, Sarai and I hope it helps bring about the changes you want to see. I've been grateful for all the interesting and enjoyable things you've shared here this year so thank you and Happy New Year.
Tiffany, thank you so much for sharing. I hope we both find some new, more adaptive ways to engage with the crush of life this year! I’m rooting for you too.
Yes, yes, and yes! This really speaks to me. Maybe it is because we are just coming off the rush of the holidays, but it feels essential to reevaluate. Am I getting what I want from X, Y and Z? If I was to discard one or all, would I miss them? It feels good to know that I'm not alone.
Yes! The holidays are such a time of excess. I’m ready for less.
The feeling that there is so much I want to do and not enough time in my life to do it all is kind of consuming me. Last year I decided to stop buying fabric and patterns for a year so that I would use up what I have. Although I made a lot of things and loved doing it I feel like I didn't even make a dent. So I've got the same resolution this year. I am nowhere near having the size of stash my fellow sewists have. It's just two shelves. I have too many ideas and 24 hours in the day just isn't doing it. I don't even have a job! I'm a retired paint contractor so the studio is half sewing and half painting supplies. The thought that I'll die before I make all the things I want is constantly hanging over me so I'm going to follow you and hopefully figure out how to weed out the unnecessary stuff. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a hard problem, because it feels like a microcosm of the rest of life. We’re never able to do and see and experience and create all that we want. And even though we know it’s true, it’s so hard to accept!
I haven’t thought about it like that. You’re totally right. That actually makes me think differently about it and lessens the panic. Thank you.
OMG! When I read the beginning of "The Constant Need for “More”" I could have written it myself! Are we all feeling the same?! I'm on board with you and looking forward to your monthly practice. I have a simple goal for 2024, always have a work in progress from my UFO/Upcycling/Repair pile along my current sewing project, I'm picking my first one today! Happy New Year Sarai and thank you for Making Time, I always enjoy reading it.
That’s a lovely goal! I’m terrible about tackling repairs, but it really helps you appreciate what you already have.
Here’s to more giggle-filled cookie slumber parties 🥂 Happy New Year, dear friend! ♥️
Yes, absolutely!
Thank you Sarai! I find I have so many things I want to accomplish and not enough time to do them. Your musings really spoke to me to on how to sort through the list to make the most impactful meaning to my life.
I’m very much looking forward to more culling and more acceptance. Here’s hoping, for both of us!
I’ve been a seamwork member for over a year. Haven’t made much yet. But it is really made me think about purchases of stuff. Haven’t purchased any new clothing in close to a year. Purchased a lot of fabric that I haven’t made into anything yet? I’m very glad to see this new blog Making Time. and I am joining you in limiting my buying and purging my closet. Thank you.
Welcome, Pam!
Yes, I so agree. This year I plan to slow down and really focus and create purpose with all my projects. 2023, was a blitz of sewing which was fab, but I felt I rushed through everything in order to start the next one. Not so for 2024.
That makes so much sense, though... ultra-productive periods followed by slowing down and recovering seem to be what works best for me.
I hope your grandmother's road to recovery goes well. Just goes to show, housework is a dangerous occupation!
Take care out there everyone !
Haha, that's why I avoid it.
Happy New Year Sarai,
While it's important to engage in life, we can't be present for every single moment. Switching off is as important as connecting and gives us the opportunity to reflect and recharge. The danger for me is then wallowing in the absence of engagement, so when I feel like that, I have committed to doing something. Whether it be a household task, a creative activity or a physical one, setting myself free from procrastination makes me feel alive and ready for more. I love learning (and substack has opened pandora's box of learning opportunities) but I recognise that I can only absorb so much at a time. Then I need to "do" to cement my learning. It's all a balancing act. Lucky me to have these opportunities.
Yes, it makes me feel very lucky to be able to make these choices as well! As for me, I definitely agree that decompressing is part of the balance, but I’m trying to find ways to do it that don’t feel quite so addictive and technology focused. Great points!
Last year was a transition year. We downsized from our suburban home of 30+ years and moved into a small apartment in a brand new retirement community. We spent our time organizing and furnishing our apartment, trying out everything the community offers and making new friends. We have a few projects related to the move following us into 2024 as well as some ongoing health issues.
My plans for this year, though, are all about taking care of myself...no resolutions, no shoulds or musts or schedules...just a few overarching themes to guide and shape my life. I'm starting with eliminating most added sugar and empty calories from my diet. Exercise is as important as healthy eating, but I want to cut back on the number of classes I take and spend more time outside just walking and hiking and enjoying nature. I will be sewing and scanning family photographs without self-imposed deadlines. Most of all I want to slow down enough to really listen to others without worrying about how I should respond. I want to look forward to each day with energy and anticipation and go to bed each night full of gratitude and peace.
That sounds like a beautiful life, Kim!
What a thoughtful post Sarai! You describe so clearly how life has been for me for years..driven by the do more, produce, acquire etc. I took early retirement last year following a nasty accident ( rushing to do something else from my todo list). I fell backwards off the bed, a high one, while cleaning the ceiling with the vacuum cleaner. Result - broke my leg, got a hospital infection in the operation site and spent 5 months in hospital and rehab clinic, then 8 months going to rehab 3 times a week to learn to walk again. You’d think I would have learned something from that... but no! I still worry about not doing enough and feel guilty if I spend a whole day doing nothing in particular. But at least I’m aware of it now. And it’s a work in progress. I’m up for the challenge in 2024. It’s so good to see I’m not alone in this... so many of us are stuck in our habits driven by pressures that come from the do it all culture that’s grown up over the last 20 years or so. Thank you 😊
Oh Bee, that sounds so difficult! My grandmother recently fell and broke her leg, had complications in the hospital, and is on the long road to recovery. She is also a chronic do-er and hurt herself doing a household task. So this tendency really can be dangerous!
Thank you for sharing your struggles! My todo list and desires get so built up in my head that I shut down and do very little of them, so this post resonates so much. I want to slow down in 2024, and I'm looking forward to playing along with your experiment! <3
I’m glad! It can be hard to share these things, especially when it’s the same struggle that keeps popping up! But I’m looking forward to trying some new approaches.
When I make a list in my head, I end up down a rabbit hole of potential disaster, so I make a physical "have to do" and "want to do" list. Each time I complete a task, I have the satisfaction of crossing off that thing. It also requires being realistic about how I organise my time. Sometimes I fail, according to my own expectations, but it's ok. One task at a time, done properly, is what it takes to inspire fulfilment.