crochet helps me stay grounded and inspired During Chronic, Invisible Illness Flares.
Most of the time, my eyes are screaming at me. Light feels like it is stabbing directly into my brain. I’m getting headaches and migraines (both) more frequently that you can imagine.
I keep pushing ahead with school. I refuse to stop writing. I refuse to sideline my business.
So, what do I have at the end of the day when it is all done and I am fatigued beyond words (with narcoleptic-style exhaustion at times).
Besides my cat forcing me to stop working… frequently.
Grounded and Grateful for Creativity
Crochet has been my lifeline for a while, but recently it has been a pool of comfort. Holding a project while passively stitching? It is heaven on earth.
Firstly, my eyes calm down because I am not required to focus. I let my eyes be present without fixating on the process.
Secondly, it allows my creative mind to find achievable milestones to reach. Does an idea sound cool? Let’s see if I can make it happen. I did that with the WIP used as the feature photo. That is really on my hook right now.
I did that with my hat that I completed over the weekend, too.
I had worked up a new netting style for my slouches that is often seen in market bags. I thought it was perfect. After taking that approach for a while, I finally figured out how to make a fashionable closure for that looped stitch style. I’m loving it, and my creative mind.
With reverse engineering being a strength, I find it fun to hash out a solution to a problem organically. I don’t usually look for ideas—just tapping my creative soul.
Spoons? Heck no, I Live in Stitches!
I have never been someone who goes entirely with the crowd. I’ve always been a little different in everything I say or do. So, hearing about spoons to express energy levels? I decided to go a different route.
Angela’s Internal Energy Scale
Stitch: An expression of the amount of energy I have left to expend before I collapse. That is a thing.
Rows: I use this in terms of productivity. They are a grouping of stitches, energy expelled, that form a productive result.
Projects: These represent levels of completion. A task fully completed is a fulfilled project.
What does this mean, exactly?
I may have started the day with only 10 stitches in my energy bank. I might only complete 3 rows, which results in one project completed before my body and brain resign from conscious life.
That, my friends, is how I take something frustrating and entertain myself.
It is how I stay sane. Not just crochet, but the analogies, too.
Special Thanks
If you just waded through all the crazy metaphors, migraines, and a giant pile of unorganized creative yarn logic—you deserve a cookie.
I do not have any cookies to share, though. Rather, I gift you my heartfelt thanks.
If my stitched-based energy scale made you giggle like a schoolgirl or nod in understanding, I hope you will like this post and share it below.
Do you have a weird metaphor for daily survival? Scroll down to the big box at the bottom and leave me a comment. Tell me all about it!
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Angela J Shupe: I'm Probably Overthinking This... 
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