Thanks for your suggestion, Ginger. I have a terrible record when it comes to keeping any kind of a journal, but the reminder to notice my blessings and voice my gratitude is helpful.
And The Instrumentalist is next up on my audiobook list while I wait for some of my holds to become available. Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds right up my alley.
I hear you about needing a quick injection of enthusiasm for anything! During the pandemic shutdown I had a tough time settling down to do anything. Being able to move activities outside was a huge help. Finding audiobooks that kept me engaged helped (and I was able to enjoy the books later that couldn’t keep my attention was a bonus). If you don’t have a space outside, maybe shift to a public space like a library or coffee shop or even a shopping mall. Shopping malls are dying across the US but there are still some shiny places with colors and bustles and smells…and I’ve heard they pump oxygen in that allegedly makes people want to spend more money. I’m in a huge rut at the moment, too. I’m moving my knitting and spinning outdoors and it would be fantastic if it wasn’t in the 90s this week. Outdoors with snacks, dogs, fans (big battery operated fans are amazing), crafts, and audiobooks almost feels like a vacation.
I have a hunch that many people are feeling stuck in the doldrums now, with our world news blowing up and chaos reigning in the US. Here are a few suggestions: Turn off the news or just review a reliable source's summary once a day if you feel the need. During 2020, in the midst of Covid, Ohio's then-director of Mental Health and Addiction Services said something that has stuck with me ever since: "The news is 24/7 for our convenience, not our consumption." It becomes overwhelming when we have it coming at us constantly.
Please figure out what self-care techniques work for you. Start with getting plenty of sleep, eating well and exercising regularly. You may enjoy walks, talking with a friend/family member, listening to music, reading, knitting, other forms of art (painting, writing, singing, woodworking, etc.), exercise, gardening, looking for river glass near running water, cooking, baking, sleeping, binging on tv shows/movies, taking a luxurious bubble bath. You get the idea. We all have our "things" that feed our souls. Make sure you fit them in every day if possible, and more often when needed to get yourself back on track. If this slump lasts for more than two weeks, consider talking to a professional (a therapist if you have one, your general practitioner, or your insurance company/doctor's helpline if available). You may be experiencing something that you can't just "snap out of" on your own. By all means, don't isolate - community is so important. I'm not a clinician but I am a prevention specialist in the mental health field so I understand some of what you're feeling. You're brave to tell us how you're feeling and not try to just gut it out on your own. I'm seeing so much support here for you!
Have you ever played Hues and Cues? It’s a really fun and fascinating
game where you have to try and get people to guess what color you’re going for (from a very large collection of color chips) by describing it in words. It’s amazing to realize how differently we all think about color!
Oh gosh, I do know the feeling! Sometimes I cope by putting everything away (even the unfinished things I thought I adored And the things that have to be done), then go for a walk or sit and read a book or, as you say, stare out the window and see what is happening until I can move again and feel ready to cross something off "the list" or try a thing I've been thinking about --and then usually I can get that one thing out and focus. Beating myself up about it does not seem to be particularly efficacious alas. Good luck!!
I try to avoid beating myself up except I those cases where I've done something undeniably stupid. Fortunately, those cases are less frequent now than when I was younger!
Hi Sandi! I know how you feel about being bored with everything sometimes; that must explain all of my languishing WIPs! After finishing the interesting yoke of a top-down project, I'm often daunted by the long and interminable body. Occasionally it helps me to do a sleeve before finishing the body; at least I'm still working on the project but the rows, as you say, are shorter. I'm also looking forward to that silly movie! I saw the trailer while watching the marvelous "Project Hail Mary", and I think it will be great fun. I enjoyed Project Hail Mary the book quite a bit also. Thanks for all the recommendations.
Hi Sandi - Thanks for that book recommendation. Sounds right down my alley. I too am looking forward to the Sheep Detective movie. Want to read the original book too. It’s so hot here this week. Dogs and sheep are not ready for it. Hopefully the temps will go down next week.
I've found just taking a small walk outside can knock me out of a slump. Admittedly I live in a seaside town so I can get to the promenade fairly quickly. I'll often take my camera with me and try to spot something different to photograph.
About 8 years ago, I went to a talk by Kory Stamper where she talked about the word 'irregardless' for about 45 minutes. It was so enjoyable! I'll be looking for this book.
I watched the video about being able to be a master knitter... my short answer is there's no way even remotely possible I would have made the cut. And not just because I'm a female. Thanks for introducing me to engineering knits.
Getting curious is the antidote. Curious about adjacent topics, curious about completely unrelated topics, and the ways they might relate to something that feels dull to you... Curiosity is the key, in my opinion. Life, lived through that lens, is infinitely interesting.
Try to give one person that you come into contact with during the day a compliment. Sincere is best but blarney helps sometimes (I told my most recent phlebotomist that "the folks downstairs (registrar) told me you were born with a silver needle in your hand". She was skeptical...but I got a great stick on my blood draw. And she had a big smile when I left!).
You are not the only one stuck in ennui (although knitting the second sweater with stripes could probably strip excitement about knitting pretty quickly). I am thinking that my concentrating on "WIP" may be part of it. Fortunately, my lack of knitting doesn't impact my earnings.
My suggestions would be...
Get outside and take a walk daily (preferably, at least once a week, in a location you don't usually walk in) and enjoy the scenery.
Try something new in other parts of your life...new recipe, new lipstick, new food, etc.
Go "exploring in your 'hood" as if you were a tourist. Most of us live near things/places that others come and visit. But when is the last time we did?
here in Texas we are getting solid gray days. It is days upon days and the temperature is all over the place. My knitting mojo is waning and I have developed lists. I do a bunch of things and then reward myself reading, watching old movies (Youtube, thank you), watching Downton Abbey. This too shall pass.
Hi friend, I'm always so impressed by your writing each week. It uplifts me, helps me feel connected, makes me want to read all the way to the bottom. Thank you for this. I usually say, it's time for a break, walk away from the computer, grab a fresh drink of choice (fountain Diet Coke with ice) put the phone on the end table, set the timer for 10 minutes, and knit on it Cori. I am the absolutely best at procrastination to the things that NEED to get done but will do all the other tasks, even those not pending or of importance. Why, why why? The knitting mind is a powerful thing when it comes to deadlines (or for some people purling, which is so strange to me, why hate purling?) Anyway, keep it up, I'm here cheering you on! And I want that sweater pattern - because I bought the yarn. LOL
I have a couple of friends who are in the "anti-purling" camp. They learned to knit backwards to avoid purling.
And I actually have a project that I need to frog. The pattern had all these convoluted decreases and all the knitted ribbing was "knit through the back loop". When I later took a class with the pattern designer, I found that some of this is because she feels like her purl stitch is "sloppy loose". And I knew in that instant that the project was "a frog" (now, have I actually frogged it? nooooo).
I get that way sometimes. The last time, I couldn't find any movie to interest me on Netflix or Amazon Prime. So I kept looking on Amazon's list and found "Paint Your Wagon"! Yay! Something to take me back to our camping days in northwest states and Canada. I watched Lee Marvin singing "Am On My Way" and remembered that the kids sang that when Dad was driving away from campgrounds. The thing is, I forgot that movie lasts 3 hours (it has one intermission). But I soldiered on and watched to the end, which put me in bed by about 1:30 a.m. I'm not sure it was a remedy for my lackadaisical condition at the time; but it surely made me appreciate again the talent of the now deceased cast.
Now "I Talk To The Trees..." but being cactus, they still "don't listen to me." In your case, Sandi, relax. The condition is not permanent. 😍
For the doldrums I pour myself out into my journal and get outside to walk in the woods and/or pull weeds in my garden, but I have the good fortune to live in the middle of both. If you can't take a real break, at least take a breather! .... I always welcome your book recommendations. I recently enjoyed listening to So Far Gone, by Jess Walter. Reading your description of True Color reminds me of one of the characters, who had a penchant for naming colors she saw, in the manner of paint chip names. ... I enjoyed Three Bags Full, somehow a paperback copy landed in my house a while back. The movie sounds like fun.
Thanks for your suggestion, Ginger. I have a terrible record when it comes to keeping any kind of a journal, but the reminder to notice my blessings and voice my gratitude is helpful.
And The Instrumentalist is next up on my audiobook list while I wait for some of my holds to become available. Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds right up my alley.
I hear you about needing a quick injection of enthusiasm for anything! During the pandemic shutdown I had a tough time settling down to do anything. Being able to move activities outside was a huge help. Finding audiobooks that kept me engaged helped (and I was able to enjoy the books later that couldn’t keep my attention was a bonus). If you don’t have a space outside, maybe shift to a public space like a library or coffee shop or even a shopping mall. Shopping malls are dying across the US but there are still some shiny places with colors and bustles and smells…and I’ve heard they pump oxygen in that allegedly makes people want to spend more money. I’m in a huge rut at the moment, too. I’m moving my knitting and spinning outdoors and it would be fantastic if it wasn’t in the 90s this week. Outdoors with snacks, dogs, fans (big battery operated fans are amazing), crafts, and audiobooks almost feels like a vacation.
Thank you for your sympathy and encouragement!
I have a hunch that many people are feeling stuck in the doldrums now, with our world news blowing up and chaos reigning in the US. Here are a few suggestions: Turn off the news or just review a reliable source's summary once a day if you feel the need. During 2020, in the midst of Covid, Ohio's then-director of Mental Health and Addiction Services said something that has stuck with me ever since: "The news is 24/7 for our convenience, not our consumption." It becomes overwhelming when we have it coming at us constantly.
Please figure out what self-care techniques work for you. Start with getting plenty of sleep, eating well and exercising regularly. You may enjoy walks, talking with a friend/family member, listening to music, reading, knitting, other forms of art (painting, writing, singing, woodworking, etc.), exercise, gardening, looking for river glass near running water, cooking, baking, sleeping, binging on tv shows/movies, taking a luxurious bubble bath. You get the idea. We all have our "things" that feed our souls. Make sure you fit them in every day if possible, and more often when needed to get yourself back on track. If this slump lasts for more than two weeks, consider talking to a professional (a therapist if you have one, your general practitioner, or your insurance company/doctor's helpline if available). You may be experiencing something that you can't just "snap out of" on your own. By all means, don't isolate - community is so important. I'm not a clinician but I am a prevention specialist in the mental health field so I understand some of what you're feeling. You're brave to tell us how you're feeling and not try to just gut it out on your own. I'm seeing so much support here for you!
Thanks for your thoughtful encouragement, Penny.
Have you ever played Hues and Cues? It’s a really fun and fascinating
game where you have to try and get people to guess what color you’re going for (from a very large collection of color chips) by describing it in words. It’s amazing to realize how differently we all think about color!
I haven't heard of this game, but it sounds like a lot of fun! I hope you're doing well, Alison.
Oh gosh, I do know the feeling! Sometimes I cope by putting everything away (even the unfinished things I thought I adored And the things that have to be done), then go for a walk or sit and read a book or, as you say, stare out the window and see what is happening until I can move again and feel ready to cross something off "the list" or try a thing I've been thinking about --and then usually I can get that one thing out and focus. Beating myself up about it does not seem to be particularly efficacious alas. Good luck!!
I try to avoid beating myself up except I those cases where I've done something undeniably stupid. Fortunately, those cases are less frequent now than when I was younger!
Hi Sandi! I know how you feel about being bored with everything sometimes; that must explain all of my languishing WIPs! After finishing the interesting yoke of a top-down project, I'm often daunted by the long and interminable body. Occasionally it helps me to do a sleeve before finishing the body; at least I'm still working on the project but the rows, as you say, are shorter. I'm also looking forward to that silly movie! I saw the trailer while watching the marvelous "Project Hail Mary", and I think it will be great fun. I enjoyed Project Hail Mary the book quite a bit also. Thanks for all the recommendations.
Thanks for the sympathy, Jeri! I find that a really great audiobook will often help me get through the "boring" part of a sweater.
Hi Sandi - Thanks for that book recommendation. Sounds right down my alley. I too am looking forward to the Sheep Detective movie. Want to read the original book too. It’s so hot here this week. Dogs and sheep are not ready for it. Hopefully the temps will go down next week.
Appreciate your news. XO Kristin
Hi Kristin!
Leonie Swan's book, Three Bags Full, is lots of fun. If you can tolerate the anthropomorphizing of the sheep, I think you'll enjoy it.
We're flirting with 90 degrees here this week—just a taste of what's to come. I hope you and Mark are doing well.
XO
I've found just taking a small walk outside can knock me out of a slump. Admittedly I live in a seaside town so I can get to the promenade fairly quickly. I'll often take my camera with me and try to spot something different to photograph.
Thank you for the suggestion, Sara. I don't live near the sea, but getting outdoors, moving my body, and breathing deeply is always a great idea.
About 8 years ago, I went to a talk by Kory Stamper where she talked about the word 'irregardless' for about 45 minutes. It was so enjoyable! I'll be looking for this book.
I watched the video about being able to be a master knitter... my short answer is there's no way even remotely possible I would have made the cut. And not just because I'm a female. Thanks for introducing me to engineering knits.
That talk sounds like lots of fun. Her irreverent attitude really shines through in her writing.
And I'm with you—there is no way in hell I would have made the cut, even if my gender were not a barrier.
Getting curious is the antidote. Curious about adjacent topics, curious about completely unrelated topics, and the ways they might relate to something that feels dull to you... Curiosity is the key, in my opinion. Life, lived through that lens, is infinitely interesting.
This is a weird one to suggest but...
Try to give one person that you come into contact with during the day a compliment. Sincere is best but blarney helps sometimes (I told my most recent phlebotomist that "the folks downstairs (registrar) told me you were born with a silver needle in your hand". She was skeptical...but I got a great stick on my blood draw. And she had a big smile when I left!).
Spread happiness one smile at a time.
Not weird at all! I firmly believe that kindness is contagious. Making someone else's day a little more pleasant ripples outward.
You are not the only one stuck in ennui (although knitting the second sweater with stripes could probably strip excitement about knitting pretty quickly). I am thinking that my concentrating on "WIP" may be part of it. Fortunately, my lack of knitting doesn't impact my earnings.
My suggestions would be...
Get outside and take a walk daily (preferably, at least once a week, in a location you don't usually walk in) and enjoy the scenery.
Try something new in other parts of your life...new recipe, new lipstick, new food, etc.
Go "exploring in your 'hood" as if you were a tourist. Most of us live near things/places that others come and visit. But when is the last time we did?
Thank you for these lovely suggestions!
here in Texas we are getting solid gray days. It is days upon days and the temperature is all over the place. My knitting mojo is waning and I have developed lists. I do a bunch of things and then reward myself reading, watching old movies (Youtube, thank you), watching Downton Abbey. This too shall pass.
This too shall pass is a great motto. Thank you.
Hi friend, I'm always so impressed by your writing each week. It uplifts me, helps me feel connected, makes me want to read all the way to the bottom. Thank you for this. I usually say, it's time for a break, walk away from the computer, grab a fresh drink of choice (fountain Diet Coke with ice) put the phone on the end table, set the timer for 10 minutes, and knit on it Cori. I am the absolutely best at procrastination to the things that NEED to get done but will do all the other tasks, even those not pending or of importance. Why, why why? The knitting mind is a powerful thing when it comes to deadlines (or for some people purling, which is so strange to me, why hate purling?) Anyway, keep it up, I'm here cheering you on! And I want that sweater pattern - because I bought the yarn. LOL
I have a couple of friends who are in the "anti-purling" camp. They learned to knit backwards to avoid purling.
And I actually have a project that I need to frog. The pattern had all these convoluted decreases and all the knitted ribbing was "knit through the back loop". When I later took a class with the pattern designer, I found that some of this is because she feels like her purl stitch is "sloppy loose". And I knew in that instant that the project was "a frog" (now, have I actually frogged it? nooooo).
Thank you, Cori, for your kindness and your suggestions!
I get that way sometimes. The last time, I couldn't find any movie to interest me on Netflix or Amazon Prime. So I kept looking on Amazon's list and found "Paint Your Wagon"! Yay! Something to take me back to our camping days in northwest states and Canada. I watched Lee Marvin singing "Am On My Way" and remembered that the kids sang that when Dad was driving away from campgrounds. The thing is, I forgot that movie lasts 3 hours (it has one intermission). But I soldiered on and watched to the end, which put me in bed by about 1:30 a.m. I'm not sure it was a remedy for my lackadaisical condition at the time; but it surely made me appreciate again the talent of the now deceased cast.
Now "I Talk To The Trees..." but being cactus, they still "don't listen to me." In your case, Sandi, relax. The condition is not permanent. 😍
I remember the movie, but don' remember singing the song!
For the doldrums I pour myself out into my journal and get outside to walk in the woods and/or pull weeds in my garden, but I have the good fortune to live in the middle of both. If you can't take a real break, at least take a breather! .... I always welcome your book recommendations. I recently enjoyed listening to So Far Gone, by Jess Walter. Reading your description of True Color reminds me of one of the characters, who had a penchant for naming colors she saw, in the manner of paint chip names. ... I enjoyed Three Bags Full, somehow a paperback copy landed in my house a while back. The movie sounds like fun.
I read So Far Gone last year, and enjoyed it very much.