You know that I Love Lucy episode where Lucy and Ethel get jobs at the chocolate factory and the conveyer belt is moving faster than they can work?
(The punch line is that the chocolates end up all over the place—under their hats, in their dresses, stuffed into their cheeks, etc.)
That’s how my life feels right now. The projects are piling up.
Every year before the holidays it’s as if someone yells “speed it up” into the control room.
Those of us who value handmade seem to put rather a lot of pressure on ourselves to make. Everything. All the time.
For me, it’s partially about living up to holidays past where everyone got a personal handmade gift. Some of it is due to my general distain for the holiday commercialism in our culture and not wanting to literally buy into it. Add to the mix that we celebrate Chanukah around here, which falls in early December this year, and the heat is on.
No matter what the reason—when it gets this way I lose some of the pleasure in the process of making.
So this year: I’m only going to do what I can do.
And I’m going to be okay with that. I have kids that need my attention—now. And web sites that need designing. And a husband who needs attention—now. And a body that needs sleep. And a house that needs attention.
I’m letting myself off the hook.
And if this sweater magically gets finished
all the better.
But these cookies needed making.
and I have no regrets—well, almost no regrets (I may have eaten too many).
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
OK those are on the MUST make list – yummy! Just have to pick up a bar of white chocolate and I am all over those!
Yes life is now and we need to live each moment for what it was meant to be. The children will grow with wonderful memories of eating too many cookies, momma always knitting something…sewing something, and playing with them. The products in the end will be wrapped and given when they need to be, but live your life for the moment you are in and be gentle. This is our path to find the gentle one, the creative one, the peaceful one so we can allow our lives to unfold in their majesty!
All I want for the holidays is to see you more often. A gift that I will work on making with you.
I’m feeling the same way right now! Too many projects, too little time!!!!
I’m not sure you can eat too many homemade cookies!
No such thing as too many cookies. I agree with you on the pressure to make things, though why I do I don’t really know as most of the recipients don’t truly appreciate how much time goes into these things. Sigh. Another way to end up beating myself. Ok only people I KNOW are going to understand get handmade this year. Promise lol.
I couldn’t agree more!
All week I’ve been fighting this feeling that "there’s not enough time" to finish or start all the projects I want to do. Since yesterday afternoon, the wheels have come off around here–one kid needed to go to the doctor (and everything is fine), and the dog appears to be about to expire at any minute. I’m trying to let go of my needs and to go with the flow a little better, but the kids are at each others’ throats constantly. Sigh.
My sentiments exactly. This year I was lucky enough/organised enough to make some things earlier. That is so rare. But all of a sudden this week I feel panicked that I won’t get the last few things finished. Going to try hard though as I love giving hand made things.
i love the fact that you don’t let it get to you. i have baby#3 due in Feb and so manythingstodo and people to love. hi5 in not letting things stress you out. do what you can. one thing at a time. loving your blog and your common everyday life sharings (is that a word?) spell check says no. oh, well.
That is exactly my mantra this year. I’ve slowly been working on some projects but I’m just finishing what I can. I have some Katie Jump Rope waiting to be made into a little quilt….we’ll see!
Thanks for posting about this. I was feeling a little panicky today because I have a long Things To Do list and I got a migraine and couldn’t follow through. It’s nice to know I’m not alone in my anxiety.
BTW, your blog is a gift! To us! I appreciate it a lot.
And your kids are cool and they love you.
And everything will get done in its time.
Sounds like an excellent plan.
Good for you! I’m off the hook too – that’s why I made those stockings when I did
You definitely made the right choice making the cookies. They look delicious! And I adore Smitten Kitchen. And I know just what you mean about the pressure we put on ourselves re handmade gifts and holiday projects. Will keep your wise advice in mind when I’m feeling like I’m in that Lucy episode! K x
Ah yes. I know the feeling. I’m already thinking I need to get four quilts made by Christmas. Will it happen? I doubt it. But I would really like to do it. Why am I deciding this now? Why didn’t I decide this two months ago?
Luckily my almost 1 year old does not know about the wonder of Hanukkah yet. I got him some socks so far. I sound so much like my mom….
a few years ago I fell like that at these time … until I decided that no more, because I got very tired and that fatigue did not let me enjoy at 100% the good times …. I think sometimes the marketing pushes us much pressure (even ourselves) … I think it is good make stop!
Kiss the husband. Eat the cookies. Give those kids attention. Sounds perfect. Carry on!
Please do not stress about the Katie Jump Rope quilt! If it takes you five years, it will still be done long before I would have gotten to it!
heh heh. I can relate!
Isn’t it great how lovely stacked fabric looks? It doesn’t even need to be a finished project to be beautiful.
Says she of the many unfinished projects!