Resolve
Tuesday 1st January 2013
In 2013 I resolve to be more organised and yet at the same time, more relaxed.
I know from experience that little stresses me more than pressing deadlines. To avoid this, I try to prepare for everything I do – events, teaching, shows, commissions, free-lance (non knitting) projects and the work I do in our family business – well ahead. The trouble is, sometimes there is so much of it – and it often comes in clumps – that the preparation feels highly pressured.
There are ways round this though and as a result of following some of these strategies, 2012 was a bit less frayed round the edges, especially in autumn and winter, which is always a real pinch-point, than 2011. 2011 was a bad one because it was the year following my release from ‘normal’ employment into the wild of self-employment and as a result I packed it with stuff – because I could and also because I was afraid of not having work, to be honest.
Nevertheless, preparation still preoccupies me. I think I probably over-prep, but that’s my nature. I am not satisfied that a sample pattern, for example, is fine and this is indicated by the fact that I have designed it, re-knitted it, written it up and re-knitted it again; sent the pattern to someone, such as Millington – and so on. No, I have to knit it again.
Why?
One, it’s my nature, thanks Dad. My Dad, the man who did ‘dry run’ drives to places the week or day before he had to make the
real journey if it was a new route. From Dad I have inherited this trait of over-anxious preparation.
Two, I make mistakes. OK we all do that, but I make simple typing mistakes. I can only describe this as a sort of weird mixing of letters and sometimes numbers. It’s not a jumble or a muddle in my head. I sometimes think – maybe I mean visualise – letters and numbers in the wrong order. Not all of them, but enough to be a problem; they slyly change places, sometimes just 2 letters or numbers, sometimes several – they slide past each other like a drop and drag manoeuvre.
But 90 times out of 100, my fingers re-order them en-route from my brain, down my arms and into my hands. My hands know what they are doing but it’s hard for my hands because not only do they have to do the things that hands do, they also have to sort out the kinks in the data they have received from my brain. Poor hands. But at the same time, good work, hands. High five yourselves. Try that, by the way, it’s fun – it’s kind of a dynamic clap. Go on.
Go on! See?
I think is why I get so anxious, in case a drop and drag head incident has slipped into a pattern.
My strategies will not include disabling the part of my brain that does this stuff because I don’t think I can. If I slow myself down, it helps. But you know, that’s not an actual solution. Maybe your brain does this stuff too? I hope I am not alone. Please tell me if it does, even, maybe, make it up a bit, yeah, just to make me feel better…?
(By the way, one day, when we know each other better and I don’t fear you thinking: weirdo; and walking off –
virtually walking off, not
actually walking off, obvs, ‘cos this is a blog, not a marriage, but anyway. One day, remind me to tell you about how my brain sees stuff like: a week of days; a year of months; a lifetime of years; strings of numbers;
maps; food and many other things like household objects…it’s
FUN!*)
* it’s not.
(Another time, again when we’re really established as Blogger and Blogee – that’s you – I may tell you about how I once got lost in London right beside the place I had worked for maybe 8 or 9 years. It was all to do with coming out of a rabbit hole, AKA an underground station
facing the wrong way).
My strategies for less stress in 2013 will be:
One: do less. This is the key and it goes right back to the root of many problems: saying no. But I am in charge of my diary (mainly) now, not some grey-faced, dyspeptic, bullet-point obsessed freak – ahem, sorry. Yes, I am in charge. And as such I will continue to edit my timetable into 2013 so that I have fewer commitments.
Two: bring all the prep forward, aided by implementing one, above.
Three:
sleep more.
In other resolutions, I want to design garments and also knit garments for myself from other designers’ collections.
I want to knit a lot of Fairisle. (Not you, inside-out Fairisle that’s all over the High Street, bleugh).
And I plan to knit more Aran and DK weight qualities.
I might even branch out of my aqua/mauve/grey spectrum and knit in bright, clear colours. Oooh get me.
Oh, and I want to start swimming and ballet lessons. Not together but thanks for the advice, I don’t want a soggy tu-tu.
Anyway, here’s to 2013, and to you, dear reader, whoever you are XX
Happy New Year!
Completely with you regarding coming out of a tube station from a different exit – a bit like ‘you can’t get there from here’, exacerbated by the fact that I have next to no sense of direction.
Also with you re inside-out fairisle.
And all the rest too xx
Happy New Year to you too my lovely XX
Happy New Year! I don’t really do resolutions at this time of year…but that said I have decided I need to find more time for knitting and more time for exercising… 🙂 And I thought about starting a blog. But these aren’t resolutions, oh no!
xxx
Happy New Year!
I can’t wait to hear more about getting lost in London – it sounds most amusing!
xx
Yes. London. Let’s just say that my radar, normally so reliable*, let me down….
*it’s not.
All good plans Nicola! All achievable – but yeah totes not resolutions. I know what you mean. Resolutions can = pressure.
Xxx
I high-fived myself the other day (can’t recall why) and there you go talking about it. Glad it’s not just me!! Lol x x