Hello there lovely people!
Do you often have those periods where everything seems
overwhelming? Since returning from my little work break, life has been quite a
full on little bastard. Mostly with work and lack of sleep and other issues
which I never managed to balance out properly. And then the massive wave of
tasks at work somehow took over my life to the point where I wouldn't leave
until 6pm. That's not a good finishing time for someone who has to commute an
hour sometimes and hour and a half home. I had started Yoga before my leave but
stopped due to a lack of time (and money)
With the recent bushfires in the Blue Mountains and also
thanks to a little visit with my friend and her baby, Jamie, It really has made
me learn to stop and enjoy my life. Work will always be there, but everything
else will pass by unnoticed if I don't take control of the boat, so to speak.
Waking up in the morning and feeling exhausted before I've even gotten out of
bed isn't a good feeling.
It's funny how we put this pressure on ourselves, but just
end up making mistakes and being exhausted from things that are totally within
our own control.
This is why I love spring. I honestly feel like there is a
coat that I shrug off when spring comes both physically and
metaphorically.
Getting back to owning my time and reassessing what I'm
doing, and not worrying about what I should or shouldn't be doing. Stopping
myself from putting up barricades and not getting angry when others keep theirs
up - these are all things that are motivating me right now.
Don't worry, this isn't an announcement to say I'm stopping
blogging or anything, this is just my mental release of everything that swims
around my head from time to time and brings me down.
The best way for me to asses my situation is to remember
those things that I love the most that make me happy or giggle lots.
Would you like to know some of those things are currently
keeping me sane happy?
Watching - All the Wes Anderson films. I started my Wes
Ander-thon on Sunday. A bit late to start one, but I'll pick up from The Royal Tenenbaums this
Friday
Eating - Bananas, in all forms. I'm not currently able to
bite, thanks to my lovely braces, so bananas in the form of cakes, bread and
smoothies are good easy and yummy
Listening to - Led Zeppelin. Last year I had a similar
listening obsession with Led Zeppelin, but that was an initial getting to know
their work, this time around I'm listening more carefully and understanding
their techniques. A lot of their music is quite up lifting to!
The Rain Song - from where the title of this post comes from
Reading - Light and Shade, conversations with Jimmy Page by Brad Tolinski. In combination
with the music, I'm learning quite a bit. I've also got Miss O'Dell by Chris
O'Dell on the run, so I switch between the two.
Obsessed with - Spring, her lovely flowers and the abundance
of sunlight that comes with it. This is when I start to like Sydney again and
spend a lot of time staring out the window at the trees and also the baby ducks
that are living in the pond near my window at work.
Sewing - I'm yet to name her, but the black dress with white
collars and cuffs is my current project. Making this most basic of dresses is
also helping with my stress release
Worried about - the bushfires in the Blue Mountains. My
Boyfriends cousin lives at the base of the mountains and they were on "watch an
act" alert, which is the next down from evacuate. They have a beautiful
property and we have lots of family parties there. Their doing ok and the
bushfires have been downgraded for now.
** You can make a donation to the Red Cross here to assist
those who have lost their homes
Or if you are an animal lover you can also make a donation
here to WIRES who are doing a very good job rescuing and treating animals that
live in the bushfire affected area **
Something new - My Kikki K purchases. I do actually do a good job at work and sometimes people give me "reward points" which I always spend on Kikki K vouchers
Also the new collection from Yeye Vintage Boutique, with lots of 60s and 70s gorgeousness to buy
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| A sentence a day diary, to do list, gold stripe pen and cute magnetic bookmarks |
Excited for - summer holidays! I've put my leave in for work
- 3 lovely weeks of relaxing, celebrating and of course sewing.
Life in general - Is pretty good! I'm healthy, my braces are
doing their thing and it's my favourite time of year - why shouldn't I be
happy?
How's everything going for you dear reader? I hope life is
being kind to you!
Feel free to tell me your own list of things that are making you happy in your comment
Feel free to tell me your own list of things that are making you happy in your comment
xoxo
Hello, dear Catherine! First of all, I'm terribly sorry to learn about the bushfires that are posing a threat to homes and wildlife. I hope they can be kept under control. Here in Central Florida we often experience prolonged drought which leads to brush fires and foul smelling muck fires. One such blaze burned through the woods to the edge of my property before firefighters could halt its progress. Luckily, rainfall has been quite plentiful this year and the fire threat is low.
ReplyDeleteI urge you to make every effort to turn work into play, a game, something that is fun. If you cannot manage to perform that mental shift, then disconnect from work at the end of your day, make time for fun and play and reconnect with all the people and things that inspire you and nourish your soul. Derive satisfaction from your sewing projects. Stay focused on your upcoming summer holiday. You have much for which to be thankful. Gaze at the trees and baby ducks and you will experience peace and happiness.
Appreciating life's simple pleasures was the theme of a popular song by Tom T. Hall:
I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks
Slow movin' trains and rain
I love little country streams, sleep without dreams
Sunday school in May and hay
And I love you too
I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends
Birds of the world and squirrels
I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups
Bourbon in a glass and grass
And I love you too
I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child
Tomatoes on the vine and onions
I love winners when they cry, losers when they try
Music when it's good and life
And I love you too
Good night to you, dear friend Cat, and have a fabulous Friday!
Thanks Shady for your advice and the song. Making work fun is something i sometimes for get to do, but I will have to try to remember not to let it get me down so muc. How terrible to hear about your property being under threat, but thank goodness for the firefighters! They do such a good job. even our Prime Minister joined in with the back-burning
DeleteI'm currently going through an overwhelming period myself, I'm calling it my quarter-life crisis ;) It's mainly due to work, I'm the most indecisive person you will ever meet and I want to change careers but I'm scared to make the jump (and not even sure if I can). It's nice to know that I'm not alone though. I am trying to appreciate the little things in life that make me happy and I'm also trying to remember that aside from work, life is pretty good. Sometimes it's hard to remember that though!
ReplyDeleteI hope things get better for you soon - just keep remembering the little things that make you happy x
Forgot to add - if you need to chat/vent you can always send me an email!
DeleteOh no! Quarter life crisis! Gah we're too young for that surely? someone told me this is my "Saturn returns" though i dont think its anywhere near as bad as it could be.
DeleteWe all go through tough times, and I agree its good to know we're not alone. But we must remember the good things! Thanks for your email too, I will keep it in mind :)
I hope Arctic Monkeys was good?
I hope so! I certainly feel too young for it!
DeleteThe gig was brilliant although it did get a bit rough in the crowd, the Arctic Monkeys are so good live.
It's a great idea to focus on the little things when life gets overwhelming. I hope those awful bush fires get sorted soon, I've seen the aftermath in Greece and it's truly horrific.
ReplyDeleteRobert Plant's a local lad, he was born 3 miles away from me and one of my school friends used to babysit for him!
Hope things cool down and improve soon. xxx
Thanks Vix! I know youve lent alot of good advice on your blog, so i will try to remember it!
DeleteHow interesting! Robert Plants baby sitter. She wasn't their baby sitter around the time his son died? Gosh that would have been hard to deal with
It's great that you are aware of what stresses you out and that you are focusing on positive things and not dwelling on the bad things. I too am having a period of adjustment, working 5 days instead of 3 or 4 and balancing my etsy shop and styling projects and wanting to sew for my self can be a little overwhelming. I find yoga to be a great release but yes it is expensive, maybe they have free community classes near you somewhere?
ReplyDeleteI am sad to hear about those bush fires, stay safe dear, I can't wait to see your latest project finished, ive been wanting to do a collared and cuffed dress for a while I just have not found the right fabric choices or had the extra cash for buying nice fabrics, id love to do one in a cotton sateen.
Have a great Friday dear, thank you for the mention of my shop your a doll ♥♥♥
-Izzy
It must be that time of the year! the pre-holiday freak out and us pretty ladies have to suffer from all the negative universal energy. maybe? haha
DeleteI did buy a Yoga dvd, ill have to try it out, but its not so expensive at the work gym, i can always set up a salary deduction?!
Let me know when the patterns come too! xoxo
I hope things sort out for you soon Catherine. I can relate to life being a strange kick in the pants, it's been that way for me too lately, off and on. I enjoy reading about what others do to help them through the tricky times. For me, it is MOST DEFINITELY sewing and chatting with others about sewing and, of course, hanging out and playing with the cat. I am currently on the lookout for a good book, one that will take me in and isn't too emotional or intense, but still very interesting. Have yet to find out. Suggestions welcome.
ReplyDeleteThank you lovely! Oh i agree, sewing is the best therapy. )unless your sewing is being naughty!) but lots of hugs with my boy and the cat help too.
DeleteIm currently reading ALOT of biographies, but if you like escapist/ highly imaginative type books, i can recommend 'If on a winters night a traveler' or 'invisible cities' by Italo Calvino. They always leave me with warm a fuzzy feelings - a lot of good emotions if anything :)
O, sweetheart. Sometimes things just seem to roll themselves into a ball that drops upon you from a great height! You have indeed got a lot on your plate.
ReplyDeleteCommuting by train for an hour or more is something I don;t miss at all about living in Sydney! I had to take a bus and two trains in the last year or so. Sucks.
Those fires have been bloody horrific. I can't believe it's become a yearly event?! Thank goodness there was a downgrade and your boyfriends cousin's place is no longer in jeopardy.
Stress and worry are so dangerous, they can really make a mess of our brains! Spring does make a difference, as does stopping and taking note of all the good things. Can't let it get on top of you! sew, sew, sew to your hearts content, go feed those ducks and stuff as many bananas as you can into your gob whilst enjoying good films and music with the one you love.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Wow! you used to live in Sydney? And here i was thinking you were a proper Kiwi bird!
DeleteFires have always happened, but to the extent that their getting is really bad! Last year it was Adelaide and then the floods in Queensland the other years! But you guys cop it as well - heck the whole world is!
Thanks for your comment! you made me giggle and gave me lots to remember! xoxo
I love your KikkiK purchases and that 60's dress from Yeye Vintage Boutique is so pretty! I love vintage clothing patterns, so it's definitely nice to see someone bringing that style back to life :) Sometimes I wish I could back in time and see how life was then. Plus, it would be nice to go through all the different fashion trends, don't you think so? ;) I'm so sorry to hear about those bush fires. I hope everyone is safe and sound! And to end off on a positive note- I hope you enjoy your lovely Spring (it's autumn here and starting to get pretty chilly...wish it was nice spring weather here)! xoxo
ReplyDeleteIsnt Kikki K great?!
DeleteI wish i could go back too, but i think also sometimes its best to not go there, see the gritty side and then loose the fascination with it
Thanks for your comment! the bushfires are gone now and we're enjoying blue sky instead or hazy orange
xx