What keeps you from doing what you want to do? Do you ever make excuses for not going for your goals? Have you lost your inspiration? What is standing in the way of you reaching your goals?
I've been triggered to think about this a few times over the past month. Some of the triggers have actually been on Facebook. On particular post was simply the question "What is keeping you from finishing your quilts?" On this particular occasion instead of giving my pat answer of "no time" I actually thought about it. My answer was honest and accurate. I responded "Insecurity and lack of confidence in my skills". My sister, ever my champion, commented "in what". When I told her my Quilting she responded "knock it off"
She is correct of course. I can't expect to be quilting with the proficiency of someone who has been practicing everyday for four years. Or someone who has taken lessons. I am basically self taught and I have not taken the time to watch the videos and read the manuals. My pat "lack of time" answer is still valid. I work full time and commute an hour each way. I do have limited time and lots of demands on my time. My progress will be slow but it will happen. I need to get it in my head that my best is good enough. I need to find a detour around this road block.
Other road blocks I have found are:
- Machine maintenance - I have needed to do a WD40 bath on Millie for some time. Plus the rails need cleaned and the leaders need straightened. I am not sure that I got the leaders on straight or even when I took them off to sew the leader grip pockets. I need to get a laser level and check on that.
- Space - laying out quilts is difficult without a large surface. I did find that I can pull my bed away from the wall and hang my design wall on it. That has helped a little bit.
- Work - I have found that I tend to be a workaholic. I am especially bad about it when my husband is out of town. I need to find a work/life balance
- Health - As I get older I find I don't have the energy I used to. This is due in part to Asthma and Diabetes. Both of which I've developed in the last 6 years. I have the diabetes under control but I am struggling with the asthma still. I am still getting bronchitis way too frequently. But I am working on it.
- Family - I usually use my weekends to sew and work in the studio. But when family is in town or grandkids come over, my sewing time is eaten up being with them. Also when my husband is in town (not very often as of late) I tend to be with him and not in my studio. This year he estimates he will be home 100 days. So I want to spend as much time with him as possible.
- Church - I have actually been falling down on the job here. Quarantining due to Covid the past year has limited my attendance and responsibilities. I need to spend more time in this area. Not sure what I am going to do about it though. It's another area where I am lacking enthusiasm and inspiration.
- Comradery - I don't have any quilting friends at least not close by. I don't have a place where I can go and take a class, at least not that works with my work schedule. I am a social creature and could really use a group to sew with or even one person. I should join a guild but they meet on Thursday night an hour and half away. I get up early for work.
- Time Busters - I spend too much time on useless activities. I get on face book or play a game on my phone and the next thing I know 2 hours are gone. Even reading is a time buster for me. I can't seem to put books down. I have been know to lose sleep because I had to finish the book.
