Letting Go of Something Old to Create a Space for Something New

[smallhobbit]

This is my response to this month's story_works Take a Leap challenge.

Firstly, although not technically within the timescale, my work have offered me reduced hours from the beginning of November to the end of March, which is good.  They've also agreed to me using some of my leave to reduce the hours worked for the last two weeks of October, so then come November I'll just drop one day.  Which should indeed give me some space for something new.

To begin with, I looked at social media and reduced the number I'm following on both Twitter and Instagram, because while I want to keep up to date with friends and certain useful organisations (like the county roads) and a few arts organisations, I really don't need any more negative information.  I am on Facebook, but only use it to keep track of the daughter (there are a lot of horse posts), plus Brownies and Bundles use it for messaging.  In addition I've removed a few from my Dreamwidth list, although not, I hope, anyone who comments here or with whom I have regular interaction elsewhere.  (If you think I'm ignoring you, then do shout!)  All of which is designed to free up time I can more productively spend with other people.

I did consider taking an online dance class, but that would mean dropping my daily walk (time considerations) and I much prefer the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.  Later in the year I may reconsider.

My big decision though is to cut back on the amount of writing I do.  Again that's more of a streamlining.  I shall be continuing with my favourite challenges fan_flashworks , whatif_au , story_works plus various drabble/ficlet communities but I intend to be more selective with other challenges.  Up to now, I've been challenging myself to write as widely as possible, hence signing up for a wide variety of exchanges, but from now on it will be more a case of 'Do I really want to do this?'  So there will certainly be seasonal challenges, like spook_me , yuletide  and chocolateboxcomm but my intention is otherwise to be cutting back.

Because I want to spend more time on crafts.  There's so many things I want to knit, plus I'm continuing to cross stitch and there simply aren't enough hours in the day to do everything.  I've also discovered that whereas I have to concentrate when I'm cross stitching, if I'm doing some basic knitting I can listen to podcasts/audiobooks.  Which is a decided bonus.

There's still time left this month to continue to get rid of the old - have I mentioned the pile of books I need to sort?  And it's about time for my annual 'I haven't worn this for over a year, do I really need to keep it?' but 'I may come in useful' failed purge.

Comments

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

Sounds like smart planning and thoughtful decision making. I am glad that you found a solution with work. I look forward to photos of the crafts. I do understand the cutting back on the writing.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I try to keep a reasonable mental balance, which does mean making changes at times. The work solution is practical, if not ideal. There will definitely be photos of the crafts, I'm in the middle of some tricky sewing up but hopefully I might have something reasonable in a few days :)

I need to write things I enjoy writing - a challenge is fine, but it has to be a positive challenge, like trying to solve a casefic.

[annofowlshire]

I think it’s smart to audit activities once and a while. It’s so easy to just get into auto pilot.

Once of the reasons I do so many vanilla socks is because they’re great for when watching/listening to media and chatting to friends. And you have warm socks by the end of it ^_^

[smallhobbit]

I agree. And then even if you don't decide you want to change you know you're still doing the right things.

My granddaughter's jumper is very patterned, but each row is quite straightforward so it's ideal for watching/listening and there's something to show for it at the end.

[corvidology]

As always, it sounds like you have your life and how you wish to live it very much in hand. \o/

I'm still spending far too much of my day staring at the corner of the room thinking of nothing in particular.

[smallhobbit]

I've been thinking about things all summer - what you see here is the end product of a few months' thoughts - but I do feel happier with having made some decisions - I get very frustrated when I do a bit of many things but never seem to be getting anywhere.

I still find myself wasting time on the internet and indulging in circular thinking, but at least now I can tell myself I've got fun things waiting for me to get on with them.

[corvidology]

I totally understanding cutting back on social media as well.

I've never been on Facebook, shed Tumblr a long time ago after a brief trial and I've get way back on Twitter where I mostly converse with people in my profession.

I love LJ and DW because with this kind of journalling you have some control over your time unlike Twitter where everything moves on so fast.

[smallhobbit]

Facebook works as a communication tool for me, and because I don't have it on my phone I'm not tempted to spend time on it. I need to get better about Twitter, but it is useful for quick chats with friends and it's the best way I've found for keeping up with road closures!

[adafrog]

:)

[smallhobbit]

Thank you.

[margaret_r]

It's wise to make use of your time with the things you like best and priorities change so an audit is a good idea. Good luck with the crafts!

[smallhobbit]

These things slowly creep up and it's only when you stop and think that you realise it would be good to make a change.

[castiron]

This makes a lot of sense.

One of my big struggles is letting go of materials for activities that I like but aren't as high priority as other activities. Sometimes it does make sense to hang on to the materials -- I'm not giving away my genealogy-related books, even though I'll go for years at a time without doing any genealogy, because I know I'll come back to it eventually and because they aren't easily replaceable. I don't mind keeping the tatting shuttles because they fit in one tiny box, so it's worth it for the one time every five years I feel like tatting. But I need to admit to myself that I don't do a lot of cross-stitch anymore, and even if I come back to it, there's only so many patterns I'll be able to finish and a lot of patterns that no longer appeal.

[smallhobbit]

That's very true. Years ago, before we moved to our current house, I used to knit a lot. When we moved I got rid of wool and many patterns, but kept my complete set of needles.

[shallowness]

I hope the changes in your work hours are good for you. It was a compromise, right? Here’s wishing that the time it frees up and the plans you have work out for you.

[smallhobbit]

Yes, it's definitely a compromise, but at least it means I'll have income until the end of March. And thank you - having more time available has got to be good, whatever I find myself doing.

[rusty_armour]

It's great that you've been able to get reduced hours at work and can stay there until March. It may not be exactly what you'd planned, but it seems pretty close. :-)

It sounds like you've been doing an excellent job of getting rid of some of the old to make way for the new. Social media can be a real time drain. I recently left some of the many Facebook groups I'd joined because I found that I was following too much already. I might take a page from your book and do a bit more purging, especially when I belong to multiple groups on the same subject (e.g. Sherlock Holmes).

I'm a slow writer, so I'm always impressed by just how many writing challenges you engage in! Saying that, I think you're wise to streamline the challenges you decide to participate in and go for the ones you enjoy the most. Writing should be fun (when it's not frustrating as hell) and being a bit more particular about your challenges is a good way to free up some time.

I hope this purging will give you some extra time for crafts. It's nice that knitting allows you to listen to podcasts/audiobooks.

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - yes, it's as good as I can expect.

I've found that social media can also be a mood drain if I'm not selective in what I'm doing - it's great for chatting with friends, but surrounding myself with bad news is not productive.

I'm going for the writing should be fun - the frustrating bit is inevitable, when you can see a little light but it's impossible to reach it ...

Well, yesterday evening I did lots of craft and no writing, and told myself that was okay, so I seem to be making progress.

[luthienberen]

These are excellent steps towards improving not only the quality of your spare time, but ultimately your health and happiness. I have done something similar with social media and stepping back from writing commitments (not easy!).

I admire your efforts and I hope you feel the benefits immediately.

There's still time left this month to continue to get rid of the old - have I mentioned the pile of books I need to sort? And it's about time for my annual 'I haven't worn this for over a year, do I really need to keep it?' but 'I may come in useful' failed purge.

Is there a club I can join? 😂

[smallhobbit]

Thank you - I've just been reading your post, which I will be commenting on later.

Certainly feeling like I don't have to write every day when I'm doing something else I enjoy in the way of crafts is good. It's important that I have some 'me' time, but what I do can vary.

You are very welcome to join the club and stare at the pile of things which need sorting!

[luthienberen]

🙂

"Me" time is so important and I am glad you are taking it. Having a variety of things to do is wonderful, craft wise and catching up with family & friends.

Great also that work has let you reduce hours so you can explore something new.😀

*happily joins club to stare at her pile of things which need sorting*😜🤣

[debriswoman]

Sounds like you are taking sensible measures re balance...a few things there I should be doing...but I feel as though I am a little in retreat mode at present. Social media aims are admirable and should reduce unnecessary stresses. And increase in crafts is a nice goal to have:-) Wishing you luck with all aspects:-)

[smallhobbit]

It's by no means perfect - more a reminder to myself that if I don't do something on one day that's not a problem. At the same time I know I work better with some sort of routine which encourages me to do writing/craft most days - it's all a balance. And sometimes retreat mode is the only possibility when everything else is bearing down. And thank you!