It has been a long time coming Long overdue, I am selling/disposing much of what I have built up over the last 30+ years. I am not the same person that I was when I first started 'collecting' craft materials.
I feel quite sick at the hours wasted on buying and hoarding all this stuff. I no longer identify as a crafter. Although I want to be shot of reminders of my past self, it is a wrench to let go products that were a buffer between me and my depression. With hindsight, buying stuff made me feel better and I justified buying craft materials with the excuse that I could use them to make things to bring in an income. What I should have been doing was working on my self image and investing in looking after my own mental and physical health.
I don't know who reads this blog anymore (apart from a handful of cherished regular readers) but I want to warn them about the craft habit. If you talk to crafters a lot of them buy craft products and hoard them without actually ever using them. They convert spare rooms into craft rooms and sheds into craft dens. If you are young or have recently discovered craft don't be drawn into believing you need to have everything. I truly believe my craft habit was an addiction. We often hear about drug addicts and alcoholics but not so often about other forms of addiction. Yes, excess drugs and alcohol is a form of self harm and can lead to death but I would suggest that any form of addiction is harmful to the addict and to those close to them.
This blog has been mainly about craft over the years but weirdly a lot of people that read it aren't particularly into craft! I guess it is like people that watch cooking shows but don't actually do any cooking themselves!
I don't know which direction to take this blog into now if at all. What on earth can I talk about? Any ideas?
I'm sure this has all been difficult for you. While it is sad to see you letting go of all your crafting items I know it can be freeing as well. You can definitely have an upside to this in being able to more fully become and enjoy the person you are now. It's too easy to hang on to who we were many years ago and while some of that person may still be here there is also a new and different side to us that has been growing and is ready to bloom.
ReplyDeleteI understand your feelings because in many ways I've been through something similar. For over twenty years I have collected a large variety of sewing items, many bought on impulse. I still like to sew on occasion but not as much as in the past. I know much of what I have I may not use again and I should let go of it to someone that can use it. That is a hard thing to do and I congratulate you on taking that step! I imagine you will find it quite freeing. It is also good that you have given something of a warning to others that craft. It truly is all too easy to fall into the habit of buying more than we need.
You are moving forward but don't feel bad about your past because you did what was best for you at the time and I'm sure you got some enjoyment from it. I've always seen your blog as being about you! It doesn't have to be about any particular subject, just life. Although I've not blogged much this summer, I have never had one particular subject to my blog on purpose. I wanted to leave it open to what ever might come to mind. I have been in a dry spell of not blogging much recently but I hope that will change and it may be like that for you from time to time. You may have many more readers than you think. Not everyone signs up to follow. I hope you continue to blog even if just occasionally. xx
Thank you for your kind and insightful comment Bonnie. I bet there are lots of people who find themselves in this type of situation. I am sure I will continue to blog as I enjoy writing. I would be flattered if anyone was interested in my not so eventful life! x
DeleteHave you ever sought professional help for your depression, Simone? Seen your GP or a counsellor? Medications? My blog petered out years ago, but I occasionally pop back into “blog land” and read a few blogs. You have produced some interesting artwork over the years; I’m sure you will continue to enjoy “playing” with art materials anyway. What else are you into? Gardening? Always interesting to read about others’ gardens. Look after yourself x
ReplyDeleteHi Vintage Tea Time! It is lovely to hear from you again. I did seek professional help for my depression - once in my teens and then when I had post natal depression. I am not depressed anymore but just get fed up occasionally as many people do. I do enjoy gardening and blog about it on here and in the past on my gardening blog 'Sybils Plot'. Look after yourself too! x
DeleteYour blog just has to be about you Simone!
ReplyDeleteV x
Thanks Vivienne! I appreciate you and your continued support. x
DeleteI'm one of your non crafting regular readers, Simone and I always enjoy reading what you have to say. It must have been heart wrenching to pass on all your crafting materials but I hope you feel lighter in spirit for doing so. I hope you continue to blog here when you can I must admit that at the moment, in this heat, I've lost all inclination to write a post at the moment. Take are:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosie. I've nowhere near got rid of my crafting materials yet! It is such a long drawn out process. I think to myself that once they are gone, if I ever get the inclination to take up craft again I can always buy it again! As I said before, I will keep all my watercolour paints and papers but let go of a lot of other 'stuff'. I do feel lighter already even though I've hardly cleared any space yet. This heat makes me more grumpy than usual and hopefully with the cooler weather I am sure I will find something to post about. :)
DeleteOh I am with you on this one. My workroom as I call it is just piles of stuff every where. I too jump from one craft to another...I want to say I enjoy it but really I don't think I do any more. I have hundreds of magazines and folders of pages ripped from magazines to 'inspire' me....do I ever look at them? no! You are taking a very brave step one I hope to take myself one day. Good luck with the clear out and I do hope you carry on blogging. I write mainly about my walks these days, oh and the cats! and to be honest, I blog as a record for me, if some one reads it then that's lovely.
ReplyDeleteTake care
Lyn xxx
Hi Lyn! Thanks for your understanding! I do intend to carry on blogging but don't really know if I have anything worth saying! Your blog has lots of truly enviable photos and sometimes I get pangs of jealousy when I see them. I wish I had such lovely places on my doorstep. Good luck with your walking challenge! x
DeleteHi Simone,
ReplyDeleteI've just discovered your blog this morning!
This post, and the previous one about 'the future self who never was', have really struck a chord with me. I took early retirement in April this year, partly because I wanted to see if I could become the future creative self I've been postponing for years (decades) after finishing my Fine Art degree and putting all my time and energy into children, work, and 'life' in general! Like you, I have drawers and boxes full of "one day" projects - glass painting, doll-making, lino-cutting, needle-felting, paints, pencils, yarn, fabric, beads, embroidery threads, inks, pens, canvases, and much, much more! I'm not at the same stage as you in the cycle of change - I guess at some level I'm still hoping to use this stuff up (denial!) - but I can relate to that feeling of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of materials I've got squirreled away ('stuffocation') and all the possible avenues I've given myself to explore, so your posts have given me a lot of food for thought.
I think (know) you're right about the addictive nature of acquiring materials and that all-to-often elusive 'dream' of making an income from crafting. I also suspect that this process you're going through will ultimately be incredibly enriching and rewarding, because it seems like you're giving yourself such a lovely, simple path to follow with your watercolours, brushes and paper tucked under your arm - like that lovely little path you mowed through the long grass in your garden. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Amelia
Hi Amelia! Thank you for your lovely comment. We are like birds of a feather! I am still (daily) getting rid of my craft supplies. I have been selling them on ebay for nothing like what the initial outlay was. I will probably end up donating and giving stuff away but I would like to get back at least some of the cost. To be honest, looking at all these things make me feel quite sick. I feel like I want a fresh start. I am doing the same with my clothes, linen cupboard and rest of the house too. My husband is a hoarder and I know he would question everything I am getting rid of reminding me of all the money I have wasted.
DeleteI hope I haven't put you off from pursuing your dreams? My reasoning about getting rid of the craft items is that if I really want them I can buy them again and better or more updated versions. The gallery glass paints that I saved and never used dried up and were of no use to anyone.
Now that you have visited, I hope you come again and maybe I can motivate you to streamline your craft supply! :)
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