My feet are down there somewhere
I'm blessed to have a husband that supports our family while I stay home. Not everyone can sleep in the middle of the day! But I'd gotten used to my three year old's nap time being sewing time. These days I'm too worn out to do much of anything except join her. Then I remember that once baby #2 is here, sewing time will be even more limited. This makes me sad.
Even if I could sew, my body is going through so many changes that it's kind of pointless. I have enough baby clothes that I don't need to make more. My three year old is too hard to fit (really). Instead of sewing keeping me company in my SAHM downtime, giving me momentum, I'm stalled out. Waiting around for pregnancy to be over. Focusing on aching bones and swollen feet. Daydreaming about projects I want to make that I know I won't.
What do you do when life, or a physical issue, gets in the way of sewing? I feel a somewhat lengthy hiatus coming on (obviously, I'm having a baby) but mentally I'm not ready for it. I'm one of those people who always has something in the works, and the thought of my machines gathering dust is hard to bear. Even if it means I get a cute bundle of spit up and insomnia in exchange :)
Any tips on how to make sewing a priority when you just don't feel up to it?
Awww. I know you're gonna miss sewing!
ReplyDeleteDo you knit? Maybe it's a good time to learn if not?
My husband got me a book for Christmas, but I didn't get much further than learning it. Time to pull it back out, I think!
DeleteI sympathize with you, sometimes I have "busy brain" where there's lots of sewing going on in my mind but in reality I just can't get to it. When I had my second child I remember that feeling of not being able to get to my machine and we made a huge move when she wasn't even two months old so needless to say it took a while to get back into sewing and even then breast feeding kept me from sewing fitted clothing. Sigh, hang in there Momma and keep taking those naps.
ReplyDeleteI know it's just a season, and babies are only new for so long :) But that won't stop me from missing sewing!
DeleteOh I feel for you! Losing my "me time" after giving birth almost finished me off!! I unfortunately couldn't bring myself to have a second baby. It is SO HARD! And being a SAHM is hard too. I went back to work for a break! I'm new to your blog, so I don't know whether you knit already or not? Taking up an easy knit project like the Francis Revisited sweater would be something you could easily pick up and put down all the time, and you'd have the satisfaction that you are moving ahead on a project. Also, at the moment I'm currently experimenting with sewing in 5-30 minute chunks. If you can leave a project out, you might try that as well. Plan "quick sew" projects and aim for very small goals each day, e.g. cut one pattern piece, or sew one seam. Don't hold yourself to expectations and watch the projects slowly make themselves over several weeks. Anyway, I really respect you for your honesty and know that you are not alone x x x x
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice! If I start knitting a sweater now it might be done by wintertime :) I completely understand about not having another child, it took me a loooong time to come around to the idea of having a second. I'm very glad we waited as long as we did, my three year old can help me around the house, which will make it easier. I'm going to remember that thought, "cut one pattern piece, or sew one seam". I can do that!
DeleteWell crud...I totally posted a whole comment and it seems to have disappeared! So I apologize if I post this twice! (I mean it both times!!) I am not pregnant and don't have a little at home but I have been dealing with some sort of weird health thing for like a month now. I've had all the tests and they don't know...so I am so fatigued all the time that I just cannot even sew or make anything which is DRIVING ME BATTY!! I am not a napper and I have been napping like everyday. It's also keeping me from work which is further a bummer. But maybe some knitting...I have been reading a lot, too. I am trying to do some planning for sewing if not actually sewing. And blog reading...give yourself permission to not do things. It is so so frustrating though!! Anyway, this turned into a rant of my own but I feel you and hope you are feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're going through this too! You're completely right, you have to give yourself permission to listen to your body. That's my biggest problem right now, trying to do all the things I normally did just isn't feasible. Good luck to you!
DeleteTotally just saw this reply...things have not changed too much for me though I have finally found some docs who are more proactive and willing to try other approaches. I am an Occupational Therapist so this has been a particularly weird experience since I spend my days teaching people how to DO things and adapt so they can participate! Suddenly turning this on myself is very strange. Lol our bodies really do their own thing despite what we would prefer. I hope you are feeling better! Only a little bit left!!
DeleteThinking of you! I'll be in your shoes (sans the three year old, which I know adds a lot of work) very soon. I'm early in the third trimester (29 weeks) and am still sewing some things for myself, but I can see how that is going to become difficult very soon. I almost always end up crashing on the couch every night after work as it is.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go ahead and third the knitting idea! It's a great relaxing, pick up now and then, thing to do while sitting on the couch. I'm planning to knit a couple of baby blankets before our little guy gets here (I'm mid-speed when it comes to knitting. Sorta fast, but not super fast after 13 years). :)