Needlework Monday. An exercise in distraction.
I've shared a number of creations on steemit over the years.
Of varying degrees of fab and tragic.
Including bags that I made from upcycled material, those I am pretty proud of.
My jewellery making needs some work, and my poetry has room for improvement, but I have come to enjoy words quite a bit.
I have grand creative aspirations.
I've always harboured a desire to create wearable art for instance. I also have notions of writing, really writing.
This is the accessory I am sporting today...
I must admit I haven't tried to rock them, yes that is men's flannel pyjamas.
In my last post I mentioned travelling this week for a doctors appointment.
I am currently sporting a heart monitor for a few days, ahead of travelling interstate later in the week to see a specialist doctor.
I landed on steemit 2 years ago, unaware that my illness would become a prolonged, life altering scenario.
The writing, drawing, creating and stitching that I post on steemit is the sum of my occupational and social engagement.
My world is shrinking.
The slightest activity is followed by devastating malaise that floors me and impedes my family from doing normal things.
This was a significant change for us.
Sometimes I wonder how I would have endured the past 2 years of nothingness if my husband @azurejasper hadn't placed the computer on my lap, registered me with steemit, and said Write.
Neither of us knew what lay ahead. He is still pushing through each day with me.
...but as I frame my week in the hopes that someone may read this and even comment, I digress from the stitchy topic at hand.
Yes this is a stitchy Monday post.
This is what I have been doing to distract myself from the big trip I am making on Thursday.
I'm scared.
So I have stitched to occupy myself with something.
As I said, my jewellery making needs some work.
Although the crochet chain necklace is not too bad, the wrist bands definitely have room for improvement.
Thanks for sharing the past years with me.
Someone read it and feels the need to remind you of something very important:
I feel this line " The slightest activity is followed by devastating malaise that floors me and impedes my family from doing normal things." Sometimes they support you sometimes they don't specially family matters.
You are such a creative soul and You are spectacular with words :). <3
<3 I had to wear one of those monitors for 30 days this year they are a pain in the behind :(
I think teddy really rocks the neckband. Mayve you could make a cute crocheted strap for your heart monitor, or crochet over the strap with fun colours like people do over embroidery hoops! Joking aside I am sorry to hear you are unwell and hope you get the answers you need.
I think it's awful you have to go through this.
I have enjoyed your poetry. I love the little bears wearing your creations.
I hope Thursday helps. I'm thinking of you and yours. Best wishes.
So you were not a writer at all before steemit? I've never written in much of an organized capacity (besides school/college) but I often would write random poetry. Also you had never tried your hand at knitting or other kinds of media?! What was your artistic background before your steemit experiment ? :) xo
I was a registered nurse, post grad psych.
Most recently inpatient eating disorder treatment.
My patients taught me many things including how to crochet.
My first poem was in a steemit contest.
Wow! I thought you had been a writer for a long time... It's pretty amazing how many dormant talents we have. It has always been the most frustrating part of society that we are mostly pushed into just doing one or two things. I can't imagine how scared you must be, but I know the struggle to float above fear and be calm in the present. I am wrapping you in light and will hold a calm space for you whenever I can <3 <3 Little moments of joy and respite, and lots of them, for you this week xox
A huge part of who we are is reliant on what we do. What do you do? That question defines our position within society and culture. It is an outdated concept I think. My child is talented in music, writing, science, maths, art. She is brilliant. I can't imagine choosing one aspect of her talent and interests and telling her to define herself by it forever and discard the rest. For what? Money?
We are all writers, poets, artists, warriors, dreamers, thinkers, hypothesisers, preachers, wonders, wanders, winners, losers, leaders, lovers, loners... All the fabulous things and and all the hideous things that make us human resides in all of us. Too often we wait for other people to tell us our worth and our role.
My favourite of your posts was when you broke down what it was to be an entrepreneur. I really loved the insights into who you / we are and who we are taught that we are, from a young age. How that is framed by those around us
They have the power to take those characteristics and deem them trash or treasure.
I have always been into visual arts. I was accepted into the bachelor of visual arts and design degree of my choice after high school, at a hippy dippy university in a paradise spot. I changed to a nursing degree last minute, because it was a sensible career oriented science degree. I doodled through every lecture and every lecture pad, all the way to a degree in nursing.
I enjoyed my career, and don't regret the choice. But I think it is at an end. Not only because of my illness, but I don't like the system, it's not my idea of what health care should be. I have compromised my idea of well-being because I think I did a good job one on one with people, and hoped to make a difference. I also liked crashing the art therapy sessions. The session required a nurse to attend, I always volunteered. 😊
I thought you knew I was a mental health nurse. Maybe my little psych babble last week has more context now. 😂
There are always opportunities for respite and joy. Thank you for reminding me though. Floating above I can relate to that. I have felt like I am walking besides myself sometimes. When I ran those multiple marathons I visualised sitting in pains pocket and letting the pain do the running and just being a passenger. Most people find that a little strange. I think being slightly unhinged can help too sometimes.
@girlbeforemirror,
This is gorgeous writing. You're poetry is starting to come out in your prose.
Quill.
You are truly an inspiration. I am glad your husband put that computer in your lap and you have been active on Steemit ever since.
I’m inspired that inspite your circumstances you have found a passion and are sharing it with others. I do hope your appointment goes well and that your fears are calmed with peace.
I love the neck pieces you have created. I especially love the ones with pink in them! It’s my favorite color. 😁
God Bless you~
@girlbeforemirror
This monitors could really be a pain I feel
I think your work is fabulous @girlbeforemirror - I cannot do ANY kind of needlework! I also think you seem to have an incredibly strong character! The mere fact that you have taken a proactive and productive approach to what must be an incredibly challenging situation is nothing short of admirable. Wishing you all the best for Thursday.
I look forward to seeing more writing and creation from you, so have followed you and have also added you to my permanent upvotes. It may not be much, but I hope it adds to your smile.
Take care!
ps. Thank you to @surpassinggoogle for the resteem which is how I spotted this post.
Steemit has bolstered me at every turn. Terry has been there for me even when he has his own difficulties. He probably doesn't think he has been instrumental because he is spread across the entire platform in the lives of many. Thank you @surpassinggoogle x
Well your gratitude can be felt very strongly through that comment alone @girlbeforemirror xxx