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At the start of 2014, I chose a word to help guide me and give me focus: Important (you can read more about it here). I had been doubting my work and the importance of my contributions to the quilting industry. Seeing myself, my choices and the world through the lens of "importance" was empowering. I began to truly see that what I do is important to others and that hiding my importance isn't a sign of modesty, but a sign of not believing in myself. I made small shifts in my perspective, and they began to add up. I had an article published in Machine Quilter's Unlimited (July 2014), I sought out and was presented with many new teaching opportunities, and I filmed my class with Craftsy. It was a wonderful year.
In 2015, I didn't choose a word. Instead, I created a Vision Board, with the kind guidance of Carrie Bloomston. My Vision Board is on my wall, above my computer where it provides daily inspiration and reminds me of who I am and what's most important in my world. It makes me smile too - how can you not smile with Mickey, Goofy and Minnie smiling right at you?
Last year was one of the hardest of my life. I'm looking forward to 2016 as a continuation of the work that I began doing in 2014 - discovering and uncovering who I am, and what empowers each aspect of my life to flourish. As a lot of us do, I was doing quite a bit of reflecting during the holidays. I began to think less of what happened and more of what I want to have happen. One word summed it up: Thrive.
When my friend Mandy told me about the One Little Word class by Ali Edwards, I was compelled to sign up. One Little Word is a year long project to explore, craft, invite and connect with your chosen word. I'm really excited to be a part of Ali's class, and even more excited to have it as a part of of my life. And I'm looking forward to sharing what I discover with you.
Since I've chosen thrive as my word, I've already begun to look at my world through the lens of "Thrive". I've been asking myself a lot of hard questions about what it means to me to thrive, and if what I'm choosing to do (or not to do) is supportive of me thriving. All of this led me to an "Ah-ha" moment. I was working on business "stuff" like emails, packing/shipping orders, and accounting all the while I was getting really down on myself about the state of my home. It was untidy and recovering from the holidays, with many new toys not put away, the sink was full of dishes, and loads of laundry to wash and fold. I began to get down on myself about everything that needed to be done which led me to feeling guilty about doing my work. Later that week, I was cleaning the house, and looked into my studio and immediately began to remind myself of all of the work I needed to finish, which led me to feel guilty about taking care of my home. Oh my gosh! There it was, like a slap in the face! I wasn't letting myself win. I wasn't allowing myself to thrive. I'm not quite sure how I will change this bad habit, but I know that I must. It's not helping me feel good about my work or home, and it's preventing me from being a good mom and wife. Have you ever felt this way? How did you overcome it?
This journey will be interesting, and I'm welcoming it with open arms. I have some work to do. I'm sure there will be hard moments, but it will be worth it.
Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Do you have a word for this year? I'd love to hear what your word is and how you're making it a part of your world.
Lots of love and happy quilting!
~Cristy
Since I the last three months of 2015 have been really BAD! (illness and accidents slowed down my quilting to a crawl). I go into 2016 with a word that rhymes with yours “SURVIVE!” (and get back to the happiness of quilting)
I have chosen a word each year for several years. This it is DISCOVER. I am trying to discover what I have in my sewing room!!
I want to discover new techniques and use them. So far I have done well.
Oh my goodness…. That is SO me! That little internal exchange that you described, beating yourself up about the state of the house while you’re working on quilting stuff, but then beating yourself up about all of your quilting deadlines while you clean up the house: that is a daily battle for me! Partially for that exact reason, I chose “nurture” as my word since I need to be sure to nurture my creativity, but also my family and most difficult of all, myself. I don’t have the solution yet, but please let me know if you discover it! Thrive is a great word!! Here’s to an important year with gentle nurturing leading to thriving successes!
Wow, Cristy, it took me forever to find the where to comment, and I then I only found it by accident. That exhausted me…hahaha
Is a cleaning lady an option maybe every couple of weeks? She could do some of the heavier stuff which would make it easier for you to keep up with the daily stuff. I really resent housecleaning, it takes up so much time!
Glad that you are reaffirming how important your work is. Good for you.
Good luck with your “word” and your endeavours! I have no word ;)
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VioletBagliore
February 12, 2016
Dear Cristy,
My word is called Freedom. It opened up a new world for me and is quite liberating. As a new grandma, I have passed this word to my own daughter along with this advice, you can have it all just not at the same time. This phrase along with the idea of freedom allows you to make peace with yourself and make decisions that work for you. All to often we as women put so much on our plate and in the process get lost in the shuffle. Give yourself the freedom to put you first, the freedom to quilt first, clean later, the dust bunnies will make friends with each other. Take the freedom and you will definately thrive. Be well and hope to meet you in Atlanta.