Michelle, ma belle... tres bien ensemble
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive
Michelle ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble,

Tres bien ensemble

This Too Shall Pass.

8/14/2016

15 Comments

 
Picture
Is it really the middle of August? Is it possible? I feel like I've lost several months in a fog. My level of productivity with personal projects is at an all time low. I've been struggling to find motivation or energy for even the smallest and most enjoyable things, and it's been, overall, very frustrating to feel simultaneously aware of my current condition yet unable to bolster myself up to a better one. 
Picture
On a high note, I am very aware of the root cause of my state of mind and have been working to find a way out of my current situation. Solutions pending, I'm in a state of constant limbo. More accurately, I feel like I'm on a teeter-totter alternating between high and low periods without the ability to jump off the ride. 
Picture
When I can, I've been pushing to spend more time doing the things I enjoy, like sewing and knitting. In a weird way, they are my therapy and moment of zen. A huge reason I tolerate the nagging irritation of my weekday hassle is to afford myself the opportunity to have hobbies, after all. But, unfortunately, the scales have tipped against me. I'm finding that I have less and less time to spend in pursuit of those things I enjoy.  
Picture
I'm sure that a lot of people feel this way about one thing or another. While I'm working on ways to change my status quo, I try to remind myself that it could be worse, so much worse, than it is. But, that only leads to a different sort of feeling, a sort of ingratitude and selfishness and guilt.   
Picture
Even now, I feel sorry for reappearing, whining and complaining, after more than a month of blog silence. I haven't even stopped to say, "Hello" or ask how your summers have been; fun, I hope.  
Picture
I have managed to work on a couple things over the past months. I found this lovely cotton print during a notions run at my local Joann store. Something about it immediately caught my eye and I instantly imagined it as an Alder Dress.  After a little rummage through my button stash, I found some perfectly coordinating red, vintage, wooden flower buttons to adorn it. 
Picture
Inspiration fueled me through this project and I sewed it in a single session. The construction was very familiar for me, since I've sewn the Archer numerous times before. Grainline's patterns are always a delight to work with. I find them to be incredibly well done. The designs are simple, but the attention to detail is superb and I always know I will end up with a garment that is beautiful inside and out. 
Picture
I continue to remind myself that this is a passing experience and keep finding little pockets of sunshine between the clouds at every chance. And, I do hope to get back to my "normal" self soon. I'm at least to a point where I can see an end in sight, so that's encouraging!  
15 Comments
crab&bee link
8/15/2016 10:23:38 am

I'm in a very similar boat and I've been sewing pretty sporadically. I wonder if my subconscious is telling me to focus on other things. So hard to tell. I'm glad the end is in sight for you and your dress really does look fantastic!

Reply
MayravB
8/15/2016 02:18:50 pm

I'm sorry you're not feeling like yourself. I know my own productivity fluctuates a lot, and often feels outside of my control. But I remind myself that, at least, fabric and yarn don't spoil, and the seasons don't change too much year-to-year. Summer is almost over and I didn't make a button-front shirt out of that black and white polka dot cotton? Enh, summer will come again next year. If I don't get to finish my white knitted cardigan? Which is taking FOREVER and I'm not sure if I like it? I can frog it. Or finish it. Or leave it until I like it again, and work on something else.

Love those red flower buttons!

Reply
Renee Anne link
8/15/2016 05:30:58 pm

I can understand the whole "not feeling quite like yourself" thing that's going on. I had a breakdown of sorts in April and I've been working to right myself ever since. The first few weeks were rough. No knitting, no spinning, no nothing....except all of a sudden, writing took over (and not patterns; I went full-scale novel). So weird. I'm trying to right myself. Fake internet accolades from Tour de Fleece and Ravellenics are helping.

Reply
Lisa link
8/15/2016 08:22:56 pm

A - DOR - A - BLE!!!

Reply
Kerry link
8/16/2016 01:15:51 am

This is a lovely version of the pattern, the shape looks great on you. Sorry to hear you've been feeling without motivation and energy, that's really frustrating. It will definitely come back again.

Reply
Sam link
8/16/2016 01:21:19 am

So sorry to hear you're not feeling yourself. I can totally identify with everything you wrote, having been in a similar situation for the last 9 - 10 months. Your comment about feeling guilty and selfish because you know things could be much worse (and are for many people) definitely rings true, but please don't feel that way. Be kind to yourself, treat yourself the way you would treat a friend in a similar situation. I hope things sort themselves out for you.

Reply
LynneSews
8/16/2016 02:36:03 am

First of all, your dress is absolutely gorgeous. I want one just like it! Second, we all have periods like this, where life just isn't that much fun and we have to endure it (I can totally relate at the moment). Get proper help if you need it, but it sounds like you are doing everything you can to fix things, so be gentle with yourself and quit worrying if you are being self focussed. Enjoy your zen sewing moments when you can. Maybe treat yourself to some special fabric? Or is that just my weakness? Me, I'm planning a sewing filled mental health day...

Reply
Kara
8/16/2016 04:16:00 am

Hang in there! We are happy to see you again, even when you are letting off a little steam.

Reply
Jenny link
8/16/2016 05:52:09 am

Very cute dress. Sorry you are in a rough patch. FWIW, I had a similar feeling last spring and found that exercising every day and eating healthier really helped snap me out of it.

Reply
Breenah link
8/16/2016 06:13:58 am

Don't be sorry! It's your blog, do what you need to do. Although if you keep creating super cute dresses like this, you'll need to share :)

Reply
Alicia link
8/17/2016 07:48:34 am

I feel like I could have written this post. The lack of motivation, the guilt over the lack of motivation, the guilt over the guilt, the trying to find a way out of the life situations that have contributed to the lack of motivation...Although it's nice to know I'm not the only one who feels this way (thanks for your honesty!), I hope you find a way out of it soon.

In the meantime, I love this dress! So cute! :-D

Reply
Carlee McTavish link
8/17/2016 09:39:29 am

This post really resonates with me! As a teacher I feel like I don't have any time from September to June and when I do finally get time off July-August, I have to catch up on housework from the previous nine months and thus don't have the amount of time to spent on hobbies as normal. After a rough year though, I have tried to make it a priority to get some sewing time in as "self-care". It's friggin hard, but well worth the calming effect it has on me at the end of the week. Best of luck to you in your troubles!

Reply
PendleStitches link
8/18/2016 01:19:05 am

Sometimes it's good to share. I've got everything crossed that your solution comes to fruition really soon and you're feeling more like your old self speedily. In the meantime, take good care of yourself and we'll be here when you're ready.

Reply
Heather link
8/30/2016 01:20:16 pm

I'm sorry you're going through a tough time Michelle. I hope you can find a way to sort it out soon. I definitely find sewing and knitting therapeutic, but there are days when my energy is super low and all I want to do is cuddle the pugs and watch Netflix, and that's okay too. Be gentle with yourself.
I love your Alder. Such a great pattern and it looks lovely on you!

Reply
katie metzroth link
10/18/2016 10:56:18 am

Thanks for sharing! It's nice to have a window into your mind.... :) Things do seem to be moving really fast this year! I've been a total slack blogger, but I'm telling myself that it's something I do for fun, so whatever. :)
You're perfect. Exactly the way you are! :)

This dress is adorable.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    “The
    follow us in feedly
    “Vintage

    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    November 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Knitting Patterns
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Project Archive