Wednesday, June 27, 2012

My Last Exchange For A While

I just dropped a long-overdue [nearly a month and a half] scissor keep exchange off in the mail and a slightly overdue [2 weeks] ornament exchange off, as well.  I am finding that I can't rely on my stitching mojo as much as I used to.  I come home from work worn to a frazzle and good for little more than settling down to watch a DVD.  In the morning before work, housework seems to take longer, almost completely eliminating the relaxing hour of stitching before breakfast.  The weekends are either full of errands or scenes of total collapse and vegging out.  And I am reading and gardening more, which cuts into my stitching time.   As I move along into my 60s, there seem to be several shifts taking place.  The upshot is that I am no longer a reliable trading partner and will be retiring from the field.  Lately, what stitching time I have, I want to devote to my projects.  Once, I used to do a lot of gift stitching.  No longer: now I seem to want to stitch only for my own pleasure.  I wonder if everyone goes through self-centered stages like this every so often.  I am thinking that after decades of being a wife, a mother and a teacher,  all roles focused on meeting the needs of others, I am finally demanding a little "me-appreciation" time and it has leaked into my stitching habits as well.  This doesn't exactly make me a kinder, gentler person ... but I do find I am less irritable, which can't be such a bad thing, either.  

8 comments:

Vickie said...

You know what Riona, I say good for you. Do what pleases you. Don't let stitching be a drag. I like to gift people. I personally have NEVER, not once been in an exchange. I wouldn't like it. Obviously, I am the "odd duck" in this, but that is what works for me. Have a super day. :)

Ann said...

AMEN! This year I've felt that I had an inordinate amount of "obligation stitching" and I have not enjoyed it as much as I usually do. I have one more year with promises already made--then I am making up for lost time. I find I need some "me" time if I'm going to be available for others the majority of my time!

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

This lovely hobby we share is supposed to be a pleasure so if being involved in exchanges just causes you heartache and maybe even guilt at not completing quickly, there is no point in continuing with them. You have made just the right decision. You are not mean or selfish, just sensible! My very best wishes for a more relaxing and enjoyable stitching future. Irene xxx

Susieq said...

I came to the same conclusion many years ago. I find when I can't get my stitching mojo, it's usually because I want to be stitching for myself, but I have to complete something first for an exchange or gift. So I end up not stitching at all, and getting further behind.

Kay said...

Once you get accustomed to your "me" time, you will wonder how you ever survived without it before!

Erica said...

I so understand!
I had to arrive at the same decision/ I do feel guilty about it sometimes because I do enjoy the socail aspect of stitching as well, but I was finding that it was contributing to my stress, which was already quite high.
I really do enjoy reading everyone's blogs though, so that has had to take the part of my "social stitching".

~~~Melinda said...

I can totally understand. I've participated in exchanges where I stitched a good quality piece to get something back that was definitely NOT a work of art so I no longer participate in them either. I stitch for those I am close to or I know will love what I make them as much as I would something I made myself. I raised my son as a divorced parent so I know how much "my" time was needed and appreciated. I am selfish but it's my money and my time so I do as I please...I'm not even 40 yet (until next year) so God help me when I reach 60 LOL

Erica said...

Have to agree about the dreaded Palisades Mall! I live about 2 miles from it. There is no such thing as jumping out for a quart of milk! There is traffic everywhere! Unfortunately the road I live on has become the route for those avoiding 59!
Why did we ever need it? What has become of the Nanuet Mall?
AGGH Annoyance!