Oh goodness. Do you ever have those days/weeks/(months?) where you feel like you're in a creative rut? Well that is me right now. In the past few weeks sewing has been at a minimum and I have had such a hard time focusing on anything! Especially quilting related. Especially-especially if it requires concentration like pattern writing, tutorial creation, photo editing, or a combination of the 3 to hit a deadline. yikes. And it's not just work/sewing, I've struggled to get into a rhythm on anything: Managing my house, planning meals, exercise etc.
The past few days I started to do a few things to get out of my funk. Here are some suggestions if you're feeling in a rut too.
Spend some time tidying up your space
One of the things that helped this week was spending some time cleaning up my space. That is always a good motivator for me. And clearing the physical clutter helps eliminate some of the mental clutter as well.
I also like going through projects and finding something that gets those creative juices flowing again.
Work on smaller tasks
I've also been working on smaller manageable tasks (and distractions) in the meantime. My brain is not up for tackling big finishes at the moment, so I'm mostly focusing on small wins/finishes.
One of those is finally adding the binding my patchwork US flag quilt. (See above.)
One UFO (UnFinshed Object) I finished up was this little mini quilt that I started with the July M.E. Time box/blocks.
It was a fun, mindless project created with one repetitive block. The machine quilting was also part of the block construction. Once the blocks were done, all I had to do was sew the blocks together, add a back and a binding.
I love how the structured machine quilting pattern turned out. You can read more about this project and process here. I'm excited to do more with it.
Mindless sewing/play with scraps
Another good trick for getting through a creativity block - play with scraps.
I had a box with these these leftover Liberty triangle trimmings from making this quilt last year. This project was not high on my priority list, but pulling out that box and sewing together a bunch of mini half square triangles was a fun, mindless boost of creative energy.
One of the projects I've been working on is finally writing a tutorial for these applique Orange Peel blocks. Would you believe I've been working on these blocks for 10+ years! I laid out the blocks a while back and put the stacked rows in this handy basket. Then I realized it's been three years just since they've been waiting for me. So stay tuned for an Orange Peel block tutorial soon! It really is finally happening.
Be patient. Give yourself Grace.
I've had this funk-feeling happen enough times, you'd think I'd remember to be automatic about the patience and grace part. But I still have to actively choose those beliefs, instead of getting discouraged when I feel stuck.
I know that, for me, the main culprit and cause of this current funk is summer. Ah, summer, I have such a complex relationship with you! On the one hand, I love the flexibility, no following-up on homework, sleeping in some (even more necessary when you have to wait up for teenagers coming home late), summer vacations, and just freedom in general.
On the other hand, my brain really craves predictability and structure - which is tricky in the summer with kids. (Although I will say now that my kids are bigger and a little more independent with jobs, etc it's not quite as free-spirited/unpredictable as it was when my kids were a lot younger. So that helps.)
I also have to remind myself that part of this summer's lack of structure and consistency was due to the fact that we got out and traveled again! And that's a good thing! Last week we enjoyed some really lovely family time visiting my husband's parents and extended family in New England for the first time since 2019. So grateful!
So as summer vacation is wrapping up, I'm trying to just tell myself to be patient. Routine and structure will come again soon - and hopefully my squirrel brain will calm down and productivity and motivation go up. Quiet time to myself usually does that for me.
Thanks for always being so patient and encouraging. So often many of you have written notes reminding me to slow down and enjoy this stage of my life - and I appreciate those reminders! I hope this therapy-session doesn't come across as whiney. I know we all go through ebbs and flows in creativity and energy.
Do you ever feel this way? (I tend to over analyze things to death, so hopefully you're not this obnoxious.)
I guess that's the reason that I share this. So you can give yourself permission go easy on yourself too - especially when life is a whirlwind around you. I get you. We'll get there.
In the mean time, I'm really excited about some fun things to share in the coming weeks! For example, I finished my Land that I Love quilt. I'm working on updating the pattern and will share all of the details when that's ready too. Might just take a little longer than I'd hoped.
Because for right now I'm choosing to stay present with my people - especially two the remaining three kids who will be leaving soon: one of them moves back to college and the other leaves for his LDS mission at the end of the month. There will certainly be lots of quiet time after that. Maybe even too much quiet time. Right now it's time to embrace the lively chaos.
Quiet and routine will be here soon enough.
Patricia Nolan
Thank you for the excellent ideas for getting out of a rut. I'm going to clean up my scraps with your encouragement!
Dorothy Shreve
I look forward to your email every week! I want you to know hearing from you each week has motivated me to keep putting one foot in front of the other each day! I also am a mom of 4 boys have 7 grandchildren and a great granddaughter, a little over a year ago one of our sons died and my husband and I were devastated. Our son had 2 beautiful daughters 12 and 16 and my heart just aches for them! I am a quilter and I love seeing your ideas and beautiful creations I love your stories and the beautiful pictures of where you live! Keep enjoying your family they are the most precious gift that God gives us! Your email every Saturday to me is a breath of fresh air! I thank you with all my heart! Keep writing and sharing your stories, God bless you for being there for me and I am sure there are many others out there that feel the same way, Dorothy 💕
Amy
Dorothy - thank you so much. Your kind words mean a lot. I'm so sorry for the grieving you've experienced this past year. I can't begin to imagine. Bless you as you continue to put one foot in front of the other. I'm honored to be a small part of it. xo 💕
buddhajames777
I'm guessing you're in your later 40s right now (maybe early 50s). I'm 62 and have 2 girls and 2 boys who are 38, 39, 40, and 42. The girls are my bookends. All my kids are college educated - three of them w/ 3+ degrees. Three of them have children ranging in age from 3 to 16. (The 4th doesn't understand why anyone would do that to themselves!) I've been to Turkey and Jamaica only b/c my daughters were married there. I've tasted South Korea, France, Italy, England, Panama, Mongolia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Spain, Germany, Hungary, and Ethiopia (and others that I can't think of right now) thru my children's travels. I've witnessed childbirth from the perspective of two daughters and one DIL (being in the labor suite with my DIL right up until she was wheeled into delivery). I've seen my children struggle, as parents, with school bullies, ear tubes, Covid, other parents who were just plain *crazy* sometimes, and racial/cultural sensitivities that my generation never imagined. I've been blessed beyond measure during those times when my children rushed to my side because or illness, accident, or family tragedy. It sounds as if you are heading straight into all of these things...as if the best days are still on your horizon.
It doesn't mean all is well every single day. My house is a disaster. Plan my meals?! No. Sewing? I literally have 9 Christmas charm packs, 4 fat quarter bundles, one jolly bar, one 40 kt. gem, and a lot of yardage staring me in the face, and I can't decide what to do with any of it. But, a local church has asked me to participate in their fall bazaar because the last few years (Covid) have had scant participation and decreased attendance. So, somehow I have to pull myself up by the bootstraps and do whatever I can do to help. It's hard. I'm tired. I don't wanna. I do a series of stretches and breathing exercises every morning. I'm drinking a glass of red wine and eating plain, non-fat, Greek yogurt as I type. Just hoping it will give me a boost. Yeah...no.
Every time I read one of your posts, I'm in awe of the things hanging on your design wall. I'm flabbergasted by how perfectly your corners/seams match up. By how flawless your quilt tops look. How is it that your color choices always seem to shine?
I'm sorry this comment is so long, but I want you to know, too, that we all get it. You're human (Oh, no-o-o-o!). Your kids will all be out in the world soon - untethered to you - but they will be okay. And, you will be okay. And, once you realize that everything's okay, you will reclaim your rhythm. And, just wait until the days when you hear your children bragging that "Well, my mom always . . ." when they're describing their younger years to others!! You'll be thinking, "Oh, my gosh, I never knew they noticed that!!!!" Amazing days are in front of you, I promise.
Penelope
The above message from Buddha 777, is right on the money! I too agree that amazing days are ahead! Well said, Buddha 777 ! ❤️
Amy
Oh my goodness. I loved reading this so much! Thank you for sharing your insights and wisdom of years that I have ahead. (You guessed correct! I'm in my late 40's.) We're in a pivotal transition and I'm still wrapping my head around it. It's strange how part of me feels guilty at the thought of a "simpler" life - especially after some super weird/hard years the past few year. (For everyone!) But at the same time I'm looking forward to being able to contribute to my community in ways that I haven't been able to before now.
Life is a wild ride and I'm learning to not brace against it as much, but open myself up to what it has to teach me.
Thank you again for sharing your meaningful thoughts. ❤
Arlene
Life is full of seasons. You are in transition from raising children to launching them. It's exciting and also very hard on a mother's heart. Transitions are bumpy. I found it helps to embrace all of those feels and cherish them. A quiet house is a job well done. And in a few years (after you've gotten used to the quiet 😃), they will be bringing their babies home and a whole new season you can't even imagine right now we'll begin.
I too greatly enjoy your writing, design, and honesty. Your photos are true eye candy and I look forward to"hearing from you". I have especially enjoyed your travel posts. Thanks for hanging out with us!
Lisa D.
I've been in a rut for a couple of months now. Thank you for some great suggestions. I'm going to play with some fabric and see if I can get inspired again.
smanning90
Amy, I would encourage you to embrace the rut. Your creativity will return. It is possible, your creativity needs a little rest. It is through this resting, and enjoying the last vestiges of summer and your children you will find your most creativity afterwards. I find these creative ruts are often a sign, I need to let "it" go and just be. Its my brain telling me to take a break and focus on something else for awhile. It is hard to see the forest through the trees, when we are constantly trying to count each tree. I am usually my best, after these moments in time. I loved your idea about cleaning and organizing. It is a great way to not have to "produce" as in creative ideas, but you still have your hands on evreything, looking at it, exploring, rejuvenating, without having to "produce". I LOVE your emails and I haven't sewn a quilt in years, but I have purchased your lattice baby quilt and the Forest Christmas Tree quilt and I am excited to get started!
Amy
Thank you so much for these insights and encouragement. This is exactly what I needed to read today. And I even took your advice. Just spent the evening sitting on my back porch reading a book. I NEVER do that. And it was wonderful. xo
Dorothy Shreve
I also am brain fog about this time in the summer! With the heat here in the east and no rain my garden looks like it’s dead. it’s very discouraging when you put so much work into something in the spring. I so look forward to your email every Saturday night and I enjoy everything I read and all of your beautiful things that you’ve made. I too have had a very busy spring and summer with special orders for Quilts for different occasions. But the last few weeks I feel like I’ve lost my Mojo also. I am also my Grandkids babysitter and my husband’s caregiver so my life is extremely busy hiding up in my Quilting room is my getaway time. Thank you so much for your encouragement and all of your terrific ideas. Have a great rest of the summer.