Brain Breaks and Self-Care ~ @AuthorKristina Knight

It's been a hectic start to 2019, gang, and I can't quite believe we're staring down May already. I kind of thought we were still in March last week (and not just because of the weather!) and then I realized we *couldn't* be in March still because we're back from our anniversary cruise (which was wonderful!) and state testing has started for bebe.

Over the weekend bebe and I had a little craft-a-thon. She's been wanting to make surgeon masks (I dunno, she hates doctors...maybe she's planning a heist?), but didn't want "regular surgeon masks, Mom". So, a little You-Tubing and a little craft-stash stalking and we were ready to go. I (of course) did the bulk of the sewing because the actual sewing machine scares her ( she lives in fear of running over her fingers with the needle... *whatever*). The point isn't that we sewed a surgeon mask, the point is that it reminded me - I haven't been sewing lately. For, like, nearly a year.

I like sewing/quilting. It's sometime creative that is outside the realm of writing, so I use a different part of my brain...and yet, I get writing (plotting, character ideas, scene thoughts) done while I'm taking time away from the computer.

Sewing has been part of my self-care routine for...well, since before bebe. But as she's grown up and needed more (and sometimes less) of my time, as my writing career has grown to the 20 book mark, as RadioMan and I have tried to carve out dating time while also raising a kiddo and having careers...the list goes on, but self-care has kind of fallen to the wayside. And that isn't a great thing, I don't think.

Self-care is time that I spend just on (and for) me. It's reading a book just for fun, it's taking a walk at
a nature preserve, it's brainstorming with a writer friend, it's a date with RadioMan, it's movie time with bebe. It's all the things that remind me that as much as I take care of RadioMan and bebe and my career, I also need to make time to take care of me - and sewing should definitely come back into that part of my life.

Because the hour or so we spent on the project? Was filled with laughter and silliness. It reminded me how much I enjoy making "things", and how much I get out of the process. Things like a calmer mind, a new scene idea, a memory of bebe laughing so hard she fell off the chair...So, I've resolved to add sewing in to my routine a little more. I mean, I do have about 3 UFO (unfinished objects) in the crafting stash....



Oh! And if you find yourself in need of a "reason" to take some time for self-care, give this (5 Reasons to Love Yourself) a read. I read this on Monday and loved it. For the past year or so I've been trying to give myself a break/give myself permission to focus on me - at least a little bit of the time - because self-care is really important. And self-care doesn't mean you don't love your DH or kids, it just means you recognize the need to refill your own well, to give yourself a break.

Have a great week!           ~Kristina

Comments

  1. It is so important to have "me time." It's one thing retirement can give you almost too much of, and I'm afraid that lends itself to the selfishness that crops up way too often in those of us "of a certain age." But, I'm glad you were sewing. I haven't been, either, and I miss it a lot, so maybe your post will give me a push.

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    1. yay for sewing! I think part of my avoidance of sewing has been that the 2 (main) projects I'm in the middle of are so.big. They aren't wall hangings or a quick blanket for a baby. One is (I think) going to wide up about twin-blanket-size and the other...smaller but more complicated. So. Maybe divvying them into smaller projects will help? We'll see, but that's where I'll start. Making my big projects smaller.

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  3. oday I went to the movie with my mom instead of Jordan. Afterwards, I left her at her house and had lunch by myself with a notebook. As I sat staring out the window, watching the clouds rolling in and the wind pick up, I realized how long it's been since I just sat without a purpose and without a deadline. It was so lovely!

    Usually I have Jordan with me or I have 40 minutes before I have to be at work. I really need to start making some solo time for me. Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. Solo time is great, for sure! I'm glad you got some today, Margie. PS: What movie did you see?

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  4. I'm not always so good about self care. Kristi, I'm glad you have plans to make sewing part of your life again if it's something that makes you happy. Sometimes I get focused on getting things done and forget to make time for me.

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    1. That's my thing, too, Jana. I set a goal or sometimes just a meal plan and I get so focused on that that I forget...well, everything else.

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