In September of 2024, on a total whim, I booked us a beach house for the holidays. This would be the first time since starting our family in 1995 that we were not home for Christmas and the New Year. We invited all the kids and their plus ones to join us and then issued a disclaimer that I wouldn't be doing all the hubbub (including decorations and gifting) they had been accustomed to because it wouldn't be practical. There were no objections voiced.
The holidays arrived and I was in awe as we walked into this gorgeous home on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina. After that initial thrill passed, I noticed my body might be on vacation, but my mind had not arrived yet. Most of the year, life goes fast for me as I am sure it does for you. At this time, I was on break from school, not producing content for YouTube, and certainly didn’t pack my sewing machine…so, I just observed this process and how dependent I had become on this next, next, next way of living.
It took THREE days before my mind realized we are not doing anything right now and began to slow down and join my body on this quiet and relaxing vacation. Up until this point, I was so busy doing that I didn’t realize I couldn’t even slowdown if I wanted to. Apparently, I had trained my mind to expect we would be constantly doing. That concerned me!
So, in preparation for the New Year and fresh start I began thinking more deeply about the things I was doing and how they added or subtracted value from my life. One of the things I missed doing was creating content for YouTube and designing bags and accessories. So, I considered how I might do that in a way that fit into my life as a full-time student, volunteer, mom, homeowner and so forth. This newsletter and the Craft Box Swap were the result of that reflection.
Last week, I shared a preview of my latest design, the Lazy Life Tote, which should be released before the end of February. Lazy is the last word I would use to describe my life or yours honestly; but I felt it was important to create a touchstone for myself and YOU.
Once you experience the key benefits of forced lazy days or in my case weeks, you’ll see there is value in stepping away from the never ending To Do and Must Do Lists and reconnecting with your whole self. Mind, body, spirit in one space.
After your mind quiets down you can connect with your heart and the aspirations that bring you joy and ultimately add the most value to your life and hopefully set aside those things that don’t.
In the absence of your own well-being, nothing else is sustainable, so this is relevant to our conversation here. Ideally you have a practice to connect daily such as a long walk, journaling, yoga or meditation. I have recommitted to my yoga practice now that I am back from my vacation and have always maintained a journal (mostly to rant, lol).
When you are fully attuned to your hearts desires and that which brings you joy and pleasure you can enter the flow state I spoke about last week and harness the good vibes to create whatever it is you are passionate about.
It sounds counter intuitive to force yourself to do nothing but the longer you wait the longer it will take for your mind to slow down. So, this week’s challenge is for you to schedule yourself a Lazy Day, Lazy Week, or maybe even a Lazy Month to relax and just be still.
Let me know what comes up for you and how you sustain your own wellbeing in the comments.
Thank you for reading along and I look forward to sharing a complimentary copy of my Lazy Tote Bag pattern with you next month.
Creatively yours,
Andrea
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