Find your fun
Expending energy on things that matter, CraftDoodling Designs News, Other updates etc.
I stopped running earlier this year. I had been running regularly for five years. What started as a small addition to my other exercises slowly became a constant stress to my body and mind. Despite this, I kept up the running habit because it felt like a failure to quit. 🏃🏻♀️ It felt like I had to do hard things to feel worthwhile. Before I started running, walking was my staple exercise. Now, going back to walking felt like a step down, and I even hesitated to write about this here for a long time. 😞
Running started taking a toll on my body and mind, and I was constantly stressed about not performing well enough, even after my best runs. The apps 📲 I used to track my running constantly suggested that I was falling short based on dubious statistics, 📈 urging me to push harder regardless of whether I needed to.
I did not achieve my physical goals; I was ruining my health instead of building it. And I had no time or energy left in the day for other things I enjoy, like walking or small amounts of gardening. I found myself longing for these activities I love.💔
Still, I kept running until one day I remembered a piece of advice from my physical therapist. Years ago, when I was similarly stressed handling a corporate job he had said: "Wake up gently everyday and make careful choices for your day."
I realized how much I loved walking, 🚶♀️and how it always felt healthy, doable, and fun, leaving me energized to do a lot more for the rest of the day. I really don't have to push myself so much in order to feel good. 💗
Often, we are conditioned by societal expectations, cultural practices, and even our own unreasonable comparisons to others on social media or in real life. This clouds our judgment with "shoulds," making us forget that we have a choice.
Every now and then, it is good to sit with our choices in order to do better for ourselves and the people around us. Everyone can benefit from understanding what activities fuel their energy levels and which ones don't. Generally, if we find a way to do things without completely depleting our willpower, then things get done—and often more gets done.
I haven't made New Year's resolutions in many years because forcing myself only works so much. Instead, focusing on what recharges me has always helped. I recently wrote about my newfound joys of walking and knitting. You may recall my earlier article on choosing to do meaningful things on holidays and avoiding unwanted stress.
Knitting while listening to audiobooks has become very popular among knitters. It is common to ask for book suggestions when one is about to start a stretch of mindless knitting. In my opinion, it is an incredibly lovely combination of two pleasurable activities. I regularly set aside time for mindless knitting and pair it with either audiobooks or catching a TV show with my husband.🧶📺
As I grow older, I seem to be shifting slowly towards things that bring me calm and away from things, situations, and people that leave me drained. Sometimes I wonder if this is feasible and sustainable. Is it really good to focus on what seems like pure fun? What can indeed be achieved by such a pursuit?
I don't have all the answers, but some great thinkers and poets have nudged us towards making small and meaningful daily choices.
Rumi gives us permission to begin our days with what we love to do.
"Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground."
Kahlil Gibran equates work to something we love and declares it is not worthwhile to pursue it if we feel otherwise.
"Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work."
Mother Teresa urges us to be guided by love, even if we do only small things.
"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
It's about understanding that we have the choice to focus our attention and invest our energy in things, people, and activities that bring us peace of mind.
Mary Oliver asks,
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
I choose to spend it creating things by hand as much as possible. For me, it's a way to heal and nurture myself. ❤️🩹 And this joy only multiplies when shared with others.💖
What are some things you do as daily practice to energize yourself? Have you stepped away from anything that leaves you drained? I'm eager to know and learn from you.💗
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CRAFTDOODLING DESIGNS UPDATES
Nasha 2.0 pattern testing is almost over. I am yet to do some finishing touches after which the pattern will be ready for release. Here is a size comparison between the 1 and 2 skein versions of Nasha Shawl.
Original Nasha (1-skein, red) and Nasha 2.0 (2-skein, purple). Here is a sneak peek of how my next garment design is coming along. I am just loving this 50%-50% Silk-Merino blend. Have you tried a warm weather fiber or fiber blend yet? Let me know your experience of knitting with it!
FEATURED PATTERN
Ansh Cowl is a versatile accessory that can live in your wardrobe and can easily be thrown over any outfit for an instant update. I love how it falls graciously around the neck like a shawl but in an effortless manner. 🙂
Ansh Cowl is available on Ravelry and Payhip for download. 💝
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT ENJOY
I joined my teen in her upcycling project for a school assignment. We had fun researching, planning and making some decoupaged glass jars.
Decoupaged Glass Jars Just finished Reading 📖
The very secret society of irregular witches - Sangu Mandanna
Currently Reading 📖
Oversubscribed - David Priestley
Show your work - Austin Kleon
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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So much goodness here Kavitha! You write with such eloquence and honesty. A wonderful read! Getting to a point of being consistently kind to ourselves and doing what brings us joy is key. Soak in all that your walking brings to your mind, body and spirit. Releasing those endorphins and building you up with every step.
Doesn't it stink when we feel out of control of our lives. Especially when we start to realize that we are the ones doing this to ourselves. UGH! Where does it say that 'this or that' has to be done? None-the-less we can get ourselves tied in knots trying to please others, .... or what we think others expect from us. I can honestly say Kavitha I do not think any less of you for giving up running as a form of exercise. It is of no worry to me at all. But then running never was my thing. I'm more of an indoor exerciser in the winter and yard tender in the spring and summer sort of exerciser. I like Tai Che, but I seem to need a group to keep regular with it. I do a little yoga anytime I feel the need to be kind to my body. I also like things like volleyball and dancing. But I live in a rural setting that doesn't have an adult gym for that sort of thing. Luckily, I live in a 2-story house with my workroom and bedroom upstairs. I go up and down those stairs many times every day usually carrying clothes, books or knitting. Hopefully that counts for something. 😅
I need to tell you that I found knitting while walking was not for me. I can do it with effort, but it makes me feel like I am missing being outside. I love nature...like seriously LOVE nature and so it was asking a bit much for me to ignore it here in MAY! as I was trying to knit while walking. Heck, as much as I enjoy audio books while knitting, I don't even listen to music or audio books outside when I mow. But then I am lucky enough to live where I see eagles and owls and hawks most every day and squirrels, deer, grey foxes and such quite regularly. I love that you added a quote from Kahlil Gibran. He is a favorite of mine and well worth making the time for when one is in a dither. Did you know that Mother Theresa was a huge Agatha Christie fan? True! Also love your sweet Ansh Cowl! Would make a fine gift to have on hand when needed! I have some very pretty single skeins of yarn that would be perfect for this pattern!