Making Do and Wanting More

Yesterday my new lavalier mic from Amazon came in, which means I was able to film my first video in this new space today! I decided to shoot a personal video to share how this transformation has really rocked my world:

So what do you think of this new videocast format? I’ve been wanting to share this way for years, but hesitated and hesitated, and now I’m ready to commit and put my whole heart into this new Saturday series – Light Up Your Life!

I love sharing about life and the things I’ve learned and how everything I’ve gone through has been a step towards a wonderful, fulfilling life. This spring I shared my goddess lecture for the first time at MQX and I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that THIS is what I need to do, THIS is what I need to be sharing.

So I’m going to share it. Yes, here on a quilting blog. Why not?

Self Worth and Legitimacy

As you can tell from the video above, I’ve been busy processing the “stuff” that came along with building the Crafty Cottage. For a few days I wrestled with the feeling that I didn’t really deserve the space, and that it would be snatched away from me immediately by a freak fire or falling tree. I mean, it IS located in the woods!

But as I wrapped my brain around it more, I felt a HUGE surge in self confidence and motivation. Having this dedicated space of my own really has helped me feel more legitimate. I have a beautiful, well-lit space to make awesome videos and I can now shoot ANY TIME I WANT! That is so awesome!

Making Do and Wanting More

For years I’ve “made do” with what I had. As a kid, I would literally use whatever spot I could find, most often the dark space behind a chair. When sewing became more of a focus, I transitioned to pulling out a machine and spreading out bins on the kitchen table.

I finally set up my first dedicated sewing space when Josh and I moved in together. I had around twelve square feet sandwiched between the bed, wall, and computer desk. I sewed 50 – 60 garments a week in this little space and made do with everything from no air conditioning to only one electrical plug working.

When we moved to Shelby, we house hunted with the focus on dedicated office space for Josh and sewing / quilting space for me. Our house was definitely a fixer-upper, but the partially finished basement was just too good to pass up. We moved in, Josh got the back room for the office and I got the basement kitchen and partially finished bedroom for my quilting studio. Here’s a studio tour from a few years ago that walks you through the space:

We’ve worked hard on the house over the years and now it’s really beautiful and such a relaxing space to live in. Unfortunately, you can never really take the aspects of a basement out of a basement. No matter how many new lights I’ve installed, my sewing space has remained dark, with low ceilings that create endless filming challenges.

While this was by far the most dedicated space I’ve ever had, and I’m absolutely grateful for it, I had to admit this winter that I needed more. I was so tired of being interrupted by our mumbling employee who doesn’t respect anyone’s space nor really listen when told that I’m filming and they need to be quiet, and things just weren’t working anymore.

But wanting a new space was hard for me to admit. A lot of times when I want something I get this immediate shut down reaction like “You’re not supposed to want that.” Shouldn’t I be happy with all the space I have? Don’t I have so much more space than the back of the chair I had as a kid?

Yes, yes, yes, but when things aren’t working, they aren’t working!

I’ve come to realize that YES, it’s okay to WANT. It’s great to make do for as long as things can “make do” but eventually you just have to admit when things stop working to make a positive change.

Will This Make Me Happy?

I’m honestly not sure… I’ve learned from experience and many, many situations that things like publishing a book, releasing a pattern, and winning an award do not generate lasting happiness.

It’s a nice happy moment, but not lasting, deep rooted happiness because there is always another thing to do. Another book to write, pattern to design, award to win or not win. Really this stuff doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things.

What really makes me happy is having a solid schedule to my day. I love to work hard and get a lot done by around 4 pm so I can kick back with James and Josh and have a wonderful evening with my family.

That is honestly the most important factor in my daily happiness – time to work, time to play, time to unwind and relax with the people I love.

If the Crafty Cottage helps me with that goal, then yes, I think it will contribute greatly to my general feeling of happiness. Don’t get me wrong – the building by itself in my back yard doesn’t make me happy. It’s what I will DO with it that is going to make all the difference.

So what about you? Have you been “making do” or have you created an awesome creative space already? Do you have trouble allowing yourself to want more space or better gear? What is stopping you from making improvements?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Leah Day