Are you a fast or slow quilter? A discussion on creative sustainability

Are you a fast or slow quilter?

Does it really matter?

I addressed this the other week in my newsletter (sign up here) and it resonated with so many of you that I thought it warranted a full-on blog post.

It all started when a person left a comment on this Instagram post asking how I make so many things in so little time.

Hmm, the answer is “I don’t” or, at least, I don’t feel like I do. I actually don’t consider myself a fast sewer.

While it was certainly nice to hear that they considered me a fast quilter, I was also really concerned by the comment.

My goal is never to make anyone feel intimidated or slow in their ability to create quilts (or anything, for that matter).

My intent is always to encourage you and inspire you to pursue your creativity at whatever rhythm brings you the most quilty joy.

The Comparison Game Trap

It’s far too easy to fall into the comparison game.

• I’m not good enough.
• I’m not quick enough.
• I’m not creative enough.

Let’s. Just. Stop.

I’m not immune to these feelings. And seeing the amazing projects that other quilters are sharing can have me feeling all kinds of “less than” emotions. But that’s when I put my phone down and just tell myself “just do you, Shannon”.

Why I Quilt

I was drawn to quilting because it brought me joy.

• Joy while I was struggling in so many other areas.
• Joy when I was down.
• Joy when I was happy.
• Just pure joy.

And I don’t want to lose that.

And I definitely don’t want to make you lose it either.

The Reality Behind the Scenes

So, know this.

It’s just me over here.

Every blog post, email, newsletter, picture, website change, pattern, Instagram post, comment, etc. etc. is ALL done by me.

Some days it can feel really overwhelming and I have to remind myself that I’m doing the best I can. And so are you!

Some days I don’t get my to-do list completely tackled. That happens way more than I wish it did. C’est la vie.

Some days I have to shift my expectations of what I can accomplish. Perspective is such a beautiful thing.

Some days I have to remind myself that good things take time to create. I’ve never regretted going the extra mile and adding some slow stitching. Slow being the operative word 😉

We all create at our own rhythm. We all have different external obligations that make creating a challenge. We all have days where we just don’t want to create.

And ALL of that is OK.

So, let’s just stop with the comparison and bring it back to why we started quilting in the first place.

Let’s remind ourselves of how far we’ve come. How much we’ve accomplished. How much we’ve learned. That’s the beauty of all this, after all.

And let’s celebrate every time we show up to create and be thankful we are where we are in our very own personal quilty journey.

Physical Limitations

Back in the summer of 2016, I ended up with a bad case of tendinitis that had me in a brace for 8 weeks. That was 8 weeks of pain, discomfort and not being able to do anything. It’s not an experience I want to repeat. But I know that I have this physical limitation that I must be mindful of.

I can’t hand stitch for hours on end. I can’t be on my cellphone scrolling or typing for long periods of time. Even being on the computer can add to the strain. In order to be kind to my body, I can’t push myself too much.

Maybe that’s a blessing in disguise, as my body is physically telling me to be kind to myself.

Instead of ignoring these warning signs, I’m trying to be attentive and recognize that breaks are a good thing.

I know of several quilters who suffer from tendinitis or arthritis – shoulders, elbows, and hands seem to be the common source of pain. Quilting is a physically demanding craft and to ensure we have a long quilty life, we need to treat our bodies with respect and give them time to recoup between sessions.

I’m obviously not a doctor, but here are some exercises that may be helpful. If you’re in a lot of pain, I do recommend skipping the exercises and booking an appointment with your doctor.

• Yoga for neck and shoulder relief
• Hand and finger exercises for range of motion
• Hand, wrist, and forearm stretch – this one is geared towards gamers, but the repetitive motion of hand quilting affects similar muscles.

Mindful Use of Time

In addition to being aware of what my body is telling me, I’m also trying to be mindful of how I use my time.

Instead of packing my days full of to-dos, I try and sneak in free spaces to allow for tasks that may take longer than anticipated, but also, and more importantly, to allow myself to breathe during the day. And what’s funny is that those free spaces are often when I come up with good ideas! It’s a win-win situation.

I’ve really been enjoying listening to the Hurry Slowly Podcast which focuses on how we can be more focused, creative and resilient by slowing down.

Positive Self-Talk

Another one of my favourite ways to practice self-love is to adopt a positive internal dialogue.

You’re not going to get very far if you’re constantly thinking or saying bad things to yourself.

If I catch myself being hard on myself, I will actually say to myself out loud “be kind to yourself, you’re doing the best you can”. If I’m worried about something, I acknowledge that worry and then move past it. Worrying doesn’t solve anything, so I try and focus on tasks that can help me overcome whatever is concerning me.

I’m always amazed at how much my stress levels come down when I use positive self-talk. Don’t knock it, try it! And let me know how it works out for you!

I certainly don’t have all the answers to this. Nor do I have it all figured out. But I’m trying every day to get a better handle on what I can reasonably sustain – physically, mentally, and emotionally – so that I don’t burn out or lose all interest in my creative passion.

Life is short – let’s focus on the joy!

I would love to know your thoughts on this topic and how you keep trucking along in a world that seems so focused on one-upping another.

Happy quilting – at whatever pace feels right to you!

xo

Shannon

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