quiet.
renewal.
purging.
hibernating.
new life.
We’re not so very different from bears, are we? This weekend’s Prairie Home Companion mentioned a black bear momma-to-be in Ely, MN who was on the verge of giving birth. You can imagine how that got our attention, especially when it was also mentioned that we could potentially witness it via the web cam in her den, outfitted with an infrared (night vision) lens. We’ve been checking in with Jewel intermittently and to my knowledge, she’s not yet had those cubs.
Thankfully, I’m not expecting literal new life – human, lamb, or otherwise – but I am on the verge of rebirth myself. I’ve undertaken a major overhaul of my studio. I’ve bought paint for those studio walls that we’ve not yet made our own. I’m coveting chippy old step back cabinets to replace the plywood and bracket shelves that formerly organized my stuff. This is so much more than previous purge fests; I’m reconsidering every single thing crammed into that space, making it justify its existence. And I’m letting go. I’m letting go of the things I know I’m not actually going to make. I’m letting go of the ideas (65 million and counting) that are not aligned with my overarching goals. I’ve re-adopted that mantra which flew out the window the minute we moved into this new life: just because I can make something, doesn’t mean I should.
All of this requires a balanced vacillation between thinking and doing and resting. And lots and lots of purging.
Back to it.
Flickr Show & Tell
Flickr Show & Tell
Kari E said,
January 17, 2012 @ 11:07 am
Love this post – I’m upstairs in a quiet crafty room trying to go through the closet of supplies and purge. Best of luck to you – can’t wait to see the finished project.
Gretchen said,
January 17, 2012 @ 11:41 am
Great post. We had to convert my walk-in closet full of clothes and craft/sewing supplies into a nursery this summer… and I donated everything I knew that I could not possibly get to within the next two years. The nice side-effect was that there were so many almost-finished projects that I just took the 15-30 minutes and FINISHED them! Love the “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” line – I’ll be writing that down to remind myself the next time I go on Pinterest.
Lisa said,
January 17, 2012 @ 12:20 pm
The best line I have heard to describe myself “Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should”. I am going to try and remember that as I clean out my workspaces around my house. Unlike many lucky ladies my studio is in spots all over my house. I have really no place, except at my table to sew. The rooms are filled up so I have share space to stash my fabric and craft supplies. So it would seem I need to find my ” doesn’t mean I should” and clean it out.
aejohnson said,
January 17, 2012 @ 1:04 pm
nice. reading this felt like drinking medicinal tea. Good luck with the purge and rebirth.
maria said,
January 17, 2012 @ 1:04 pm
Oh I just finished doing this…hard to do, but necessary in order to keep my life simple at at peace.
Thank you for sharing… I have truly enjoyed reading this!
Amy Sue said,
January 17, 2012 @ 5:59 pm
Oh MJ.
I love this.
Currently picking out paint for the crafty room also…and going through the piles & piles & piles of “in progress” items. It’s a chore that NEEDS to be done- boo. : )
“just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” Should be posted in every crafty room/studio!!!
Will be waiting to see the finished project…inspire me…please! : )
Rane said,
January 18, 2012 @ 8:39 pm
I am dreaming of crafting. I am in a creative mood, this year will be my creative year I think. While all of you are quietly purging I want to get craft supplies. I am a mother of 6 and never buy craft good to just create. But this year feels like the year I should.. I feel crafty. I wonder why all the rest of the internet is not in line with me. I am the odd one this year I feel. All the sites and blogs I go to say the same, purge, clean out, declutter and craft less or don’t make unless needed. I feel just the opposite. Now to find the gold at the end of the rainbow or wish on a star for extra pocket change to get a little something for momma to be creative with.
I wish all of you the best of luck in you clean up, and hope you find your creative side lost in some basket wanting to be active again. (*^_^*)
Maria M said,
January 19, 2012 @ 10:27 am
I,too, am in this place of purging,resting,hibernating. Beautiful post!
I’m new to your blog-glad I checked in!