In life we often need to let go of our idea of what the perfect outcome of a perceived problem should be. We arrive at the conclusion through experience, intuition, common sense, and sheer dumb luck. Often, we have to release our imagined outcome and realize that, in most cases, the worst that could happen really isn’t that bad. Excerpted from https://www.dailyom.com/
When I closed my studio/gallery last month, I suddenly realized I had time to sew a Halloween costume for my grandson. For 47+ years I considered my occupation to be patternmaker/seamstress/designer/captain of industry. Imagine my delight when I got out my little domestic machine, a folding stand, my little folding ironing board, my good shears and got to work. What a treat! Granted, I couldn’t really sew very fast on this machine, but it works great. And, it goes just as fast as I do, rather than running away with itself on those long straightaways. It was so gratifying.
As I sewed, I reflected on the skills I have learned after all these years converting two-dimensional paper and cloth into three-dimensional wearable art. I still remember all the magic short cuts, and can put a pattern together without looking at any instructions. In fact, sewing for me is the perfect combination of left and right brain activity. While painting, I rarely use my left brain once I’ve measured my paper or substrate. I felt much more balanced than I have in quite a long time. It is the closest I can come to instant gratification.
I am also enjoying the lack of deadlines and the need to please others. I sew for a while, or paint, or dink around in the art room, and when I decide to take a break no one is judging me. (They never were in the first place, but tell that to my brain.)
My other BIG NEWS is that my husband and I have decided to sell our house and move to an apartment! I am so excited – the yoke of home ownership only gets more stifling as we get older. I look forward to doing less and accomplishing the same. Day trips? Dinners out? Why not! We talk about it plenty, but there is always “something” that has to be done. We have our eye on a nice 3 bedroom, 2 bath unit with a view of a lake and trees all around, close to where we are now. There is SO much to learn about housing as a retiree – yikes! Luckily, I have a built-in spreadsheet feature, so I have it all where I can find it. Basically, we will pay about the same each month if we buy a condo or rent an apartment, and I figure once we have gotten rid of all the things, we will be more flexible about moving a second time if necessary. You never know, right? This is us being prepared.