I don’t know about you, but for the last few weeks, I’ve been in a bit of a funk. On the one hand, this quarantine is good in order to flatten the curve of infections, reduce the number of people in the hospitals, and keep our healthcare workers safe. On the other hand, my husband is out of work, he hasn’t received unemployment yet (it’s been 4 weeks,) and I’m working OT (luckily from home) to try to make up for some of the missing income. And yet I know that we are far better off than many people. All of which put me into some kind of funk. I haven’t felt like writing or doodling or anything. I wonder if you’re feeling the same? If so, I think it’s time to reignite our creativity!
What to do? I’ve tried reading. Both fiction and nonfiction. I have two unfinished books. Blog posts? Lately, they’ve been reworked older posts that just needed an update for today’s world. All have provided important information, but I don’t feel like I’ve stretched my creative muscles that much.
I’m seeing all these people posting their creative projects, jealous that they have the time to focus on something new. People gardening, crafting, writing, snuggling on couches reading. And yet I can’t. I’ve tried. I pull out my Kindle App at lunchtime and try to read. It’s something I always do at work. Now, I just want to nap.
But then this week, my husband pulled a box out of our storage bin and behind it, I saw one that held yarn, a crochet hook, and knitting needles. Mind you, I can’t do either. But I try. My Aunt Flor tried to teach me to knit when I was a child. One ugly hat and scarf later and I was done. Never picked up knitting needles again. Although, a couple of years ago, I bought a beginner kit with yarn and fat needles. Never opened, but it was still there in that bin.
I also found several skeins of yarn and a crochet hook. My sister Joni tried to teach me to crochet. It didn’t stick, but I keep trying. I get why she liked it. There is something soothing about it. I have never progressed beyond an ugly chain stitch. But there I was with yarn and hook trying to lay down a flat line. When that didn’t work, I took a skein of yarn and rolled it into a ball.
Rolling the yarn was a soothing, non-thinking task. I did it while on the phone. I could talk and roll at the same time. I was reminded of my sister and the first time she tried to teach me to crochet. I was going into my third month of pregnancy and some heavy bleeding landed me in the hospital for an overnight and then strict bed rest orders for a week.
Joni came over with crochet hooks, yarn, and of course, some books. She patiently showed me the chain stitch and sat with me all afternoon. When she left, I started reading the books she brought me. Sure, I’d try to chain some more, but back then, in my 20’s, I had no patience. The stitches weren’t uniform, holes were ensured, and frustration grew. So I’d unravel everything and start reading. Then I’d try again, get frustrated, unravel, and read some more.
I kept working on the same two rows, over and over again. Until I just stopped. Over the years, I’d take it out and try it again. Sometimes with Joni, other times, by myself. I’d marvel at the things she could create with a hook and some yarn. Once, she even tried knitting and made me the perfect oversize sweater. I still have it, here in Florida.
And so I rolled. And when I was done rolling, I pulled out that yarn and started another chain stitch. This time I’m 6 lines in and haven’t pulled it out yet. Maybe, that’s a good sign for my writing? We’ll see.
Are you in the same kind of funk? What have you tried to reignite your creativity?
Hi Jennifer, good luck with the crocheting! Despite all my arty crafty exploits, I have never done well with yarn. I am clumsy with it and seem to be all fingers and thumbs. I love what I call ‘mindless knitting’, where I get very thick yarn and biggish needles to do plain knitting on about 20 stictches until the ball has gone. Then I stitch the ends and, voila, I have another circular scarf! ? I went through a spate of doing that and it does have a calming effect. But a girl does not need 300 scarves and my family didn’t seem impressed with my presents. Enjoy your yarn crafting. Hope you are well. Yes I know my commenting is very sporadic but that’s how haphazard my life has been for the last two years with all the competing demands. But I am still here! ?x
I’m all fingers and thumbs with knitting needles, but that didn’t stop me from buying a beginner’s kit. I see it looking at me. Daring me to try it! Yes, we’re doing well, we’ve been quarantined since the second to last week of March. And I certainly understand sporadic commenting, you’ve got a lot on your plate right now!
Hello Jennifer. There was something soothing just reading about you rolling that yarn without thinking–a new alternative to worry beads! 🙂 I’ve never gotten the knack of knitting or crocheting either, though watching someone do it can be mesmerizing. I hope your crocheting bodes well for creativity in all its forms. I’ve been doing pretty well sheltering at home, but have felt a restlessness creeping in the past couple of days. I started working on a jigsaw puzzle, which seems to have helped. I wish you well, Jennifer. Take care, stay safe, and keep smiling!
I love working on jigsaw puzzles, although with my own office setup and a work office setup, I don’t have extra surface space to put one. As for crocheting, I have rows of chain stitching, some prettier than others, all just making…I don’t know. But it is still a repetitive thing that I can do and it’s helping.
I’ve probably mentioned this here–because I keep telling everybody I know–but a novelist friend of mine encouraged creative friends to try thinking of themselves as a different kinds of artists through this period. So, I have been singing when the writing doesn’t come. And when the fiction writing doesn’t come (it feels silly to write about non-real things right now) I’ve been working on very short essays and re-working old stories. I’ve also been responding to daily prompts, which I NEVER do. I was always like, I have my own ideas; I don’t need writing prompts. Well, that’s all out the window during these days of, you said it, FUNK. I hope the stitches go well for you. It does sound soothing. Take care!
I’ve been having a little funny watching Molly Stevens and her husband share their renditions of famous works of art. It was a challenge started by the Getty Museum. Nothing is the same after you’ve seen “Peasant Woman Peeling Potatoes” by Van Gogh done using a Mr. Potato Head.
Ha! It really is fun!
Hi Jennifer, I am looking forward to reading more of your writing. I posted this to my Facebook page. I used to say that I was the queen of the unfinished projects and the only projects I completed I named, “Rachel, Jason and Nicole” Not untrue. I have had similar issues with trying to crochet. I made a baby afghan for my granddaughter (now a H.S. Freshman) and it was uneven, My wonderful daughter in law said it was beautiful, which is one more reason why she is wonderful, She saw the love and not the curves. Perhaps, which I think you are saying, that creativity itself is a way out of our funk(s). Blessings, Michele
I’m glad you stopped by, Michele. I think, sometimes doing something mundane helps you to get out of your head a little and helps inspire creativity again. Crocheting also helps connect me to my sister who I miss speaking to, especially in times like this.
I had to chuckle. I did pull out a half-finished cross stitch and finish it. It’s probably been waiting to be finished for 7 years. And now I’m considering starting another! Hah. I’ve never really taken up crochet or knitting. I think my creative flow right now is focused on cooking. Not the best of options as I’m gaining weight. I’m also into jigsaw puzzles, though I don’t find that creative, but definitely mindless and soothing. I guess sewing masks could be considered creative… or just showing that mom’s sewing lessons from age 10 are still buried deep in my memory! As I’ve been told a few times…. this is a trying time, so please be kind to yourself. It’s OK to be in a funk: it’s Ok to not be writing or reading or doing anything else you think you should be doing. If your body craves a nap, nap! I just read an article about how much on-line video meetings exhaust us mentally…significantly more than face-to-face meetings. So your mind really might need that downtime!
I was never very good at sewing either. My sister crocheted, knitted, sewed, and even cross-stitched. She did a lot of crafting for church bazaars and also donated baby blankets and hats and booties. But I still find the chain stitch soothing, even if it doesn’t turn into anything.
I’m being kind to myself while we’re in lockdown – no expectations of doing anything particularly productive. I’m reading, jigsawing, walking, browsing the interwebs, and just chilling…..and allowing myself to be okay with that. I’m glad you’ve found something easy on the brain to feel creative with. I shared this great quote the other day and thought you might like it: https://www.facebook.com/crestingthehill/photos/a.873957419341434/3689977144406100/?type=3&theater
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM ?
LOL! Who has time to do all those things? I’m still working (from home) and putting in OT because my poor husband, who was laid off in March, still hasn’t received his first unemployment check. The way it’s going, he might be back at work and earning a paycheck before unemployment gets here.
Hi Jennifer, I’ve never managed to crochet although my mum is very good at it! I’n the opposite at the moment, I have a cross-stitch to do but I’m procrastinating by reading all the time. I know I should be cleaning, doing things around the house, helping my husband in the garden but I’m happy to just turn off an d read – anything! Hope things go OK for you and your husband, it’s such a strange time #mlstl
Read. Enjoy the garden. And then read some more. Lol.
Sounds like a great plan!
I used to love to crochet many (many, many!) years ago. It was a creative outlet that went along with sewing many of my own clothes. Although it’s been years, I remember the satisfaction of being able to follow the instructions and actually produce something! Today it’s about making my first loaves of homemade bread and starting to learn a new language. I try to keep the variety in the days and stay focused. Take care and be well. #MLSTL
Thanks for stopping by! I’m just glad my husband isn’t making bread, I’d be devouring that stuff like crazy.
Hi Jennifer before I moved house last year I was decluttering and came upon a bag full of a half finished crocheted rug. I pulled it apart and gave the wool to charity as I knew I would never finish my project. However, I think you’ve raised a good point. It isn’t about finishing the craft project but rather finding relaxation in the activity. I’ve been very busy trying to finish my Fitness Certification and that has taken most of my time. Blog posts have fallen by the wayside. This week however, my cousin sent me some letters my Mum had written to her back in the 60s so I’ve pulled out my family history file and am finding joy rediscovering my ancestors. Thank you for sharing at #MLSTL and take care during these trying times. xx
Old letters are so interesting to read. After my father died in 1999, we found all these old letters that he kept while he was in the South Pacific during WWII. Letters from my mother, aunts, uncles, and even cute little cards from my oldest sister who was born in 1941. It’s a fascinating slice of life at home during the great war. I’ve been thinking of sharing them on the blog or collecting them together into a book.
I’ve been in a funk too, Jennifer and wrote about it a couple of posts ago. I’ve decided to be kind to myself and do whatever I can do in a day – so it’s mostly chores, updating old blog posts with a new spin on them and reading loads. You take care! ♥
I’ve been putting a new spin on a lot of old blog posts too.
I never learned how to knit although I can sew but my machine is in storage. I guess I could have gotten into making masks if I had wanted to. I haven’t been able to get into reading either, which is bad because people send me books to read and I have a stack staring at me. I’ve been doing about the same, updating old posts, writing a few new ones, wondering what I can find interesting to put on Instagram other than take-out food. I’m ready to escape somewhere like Mexico.
I am thinking about ordering some needlepoint. I can’t seem to read that much right now and I don’t knit or remember crochet.