Two years ago I started strength training. As with anything new the gains come quickly in the beginning and then plateaus and even setbacks due to sickness and stress can happen. Recently the coaches have started programing “recovery workouts” for clients to do when they are a little sore but not ill, or their muscles are just too tight or any day that the body (not the mind – an important difference) is letting one know it has not recovered from something (lack of sleep, dehydration, mental stress, etc). The idea of a recovery workout is that to keep moving, even at an easier pace, with lighter to no weight, will help the muscles recover faster than by not moving at all.
Maybe you already see where I’m going with this as it concerns sewing.
Recently with the holidays I experienced a lot of stress. My normal, self-imposed stress of not planning and therefore rushing to get things made, bought, mailed and decorated in less than two weeks. The stress of traveling to two different places, of driving hours in the rain on Christmas Eve, of a very crowded house, of being off my routine, oh and let’s add a midnight visit to the ER and other family health issues. I looked forward to being home and just knew when I got back I would sew, sew, sew and I even knew what project I was going to start with; knit pants. But I didn’t sew. In fact I kept avoiding it.
I did go to the gym though, and discovered my muscles were super tight so I had to do my first recovery workout. The following gym session, I had to do another one. Finally, at my next session I got to lift, but yesterday; another recovery workout. What is going on I asked the coach. And he explained and talked and I listened and my wheels actually started turning.
I realized that this idea of having to recover with movement isn’t just about the body getting stronger; it works for the mind too. I was avoiding sewing because the project I had decided to do next was challenging for me. It was a new type of fabric (sewing knits is something I have done a good job of avoiding but now I want to learn), different fabrics have new techniques and new equipment ( I needed a new foot for my machine – or I think I do- I’m not really sure as it’s new to me 😉 and just to keep the “new” theme going the pattern is from a company I had never used before. PLUS I wanted to be able to write about it so I have to learn it, process it, and try to pull out the nuggets of wisdom from the experience.
I would have a learning curve. I would have to concentrate and be patient since I expected mistakes to be made. It’s doable for certain but it requires mental energy and my mental muscles were “too tight” to psych myself up for this project. I couldn’t even gather the energy to force myself into starting. I needed a recovery workout for the sewing room.
What would a Recovery Project look like? It needed to be easy. Easy on the skill level and the mental level. It wouldn’t matter what was sewn, as long as it stimulated those sewing muscles and gave a jolt to the sewing part of the brain. I needed to remember that I do like sewing. It is fun. It can even be fun when it’s challenging. So I went to my room and mended a purse and altered some pants I had. When I finished two hours later, I felt lighter. I felt stronger. I felt happier. And now I feel like starting on those knit pants.
10 Comments on Happiness Through Sewing: Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
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I am currently reading the book titled “Gold.” This morning the chapters I read introduced me to “recovery workouts” as they apply to the Olympic cyclists in the novel. Hours later, I’m reading your article. The universe is speaking loud and clear today! Message received, Universe. Message received.
That does happen occasionally. It’s nice when we actually hear it. I’m starting to think the “recovery” is also “going through the motions” (autopilot type motions). That little success I had Saturday was all I needed. Other times I may need two or more “recovery projects” to get back to the baseline. New resolution; Don’t beat myself up about it, just do an easier version of it and work back up to it.
The universe definitely speaks to us in that way. It just happened to me two nights ago, in the middle of the night. I realized the event was the universe sending a profound message about my relationship with my daughter, and our relationship with each other. Emotionally painful, but necessary to grow from and through. I expect there will be light at the end of this painful tunnel.
Getting through things can be so draining and in a sneaky way. A way in which you don’t realize it’s draining your reserves until you’re sick in bed (because it lowered your immune system) and/or you burst with anger/frustration over what seems petty but was really just a backlog of stuff stuck inside. So, good luck with your journey 😉 please take some recovery moments for yourself.
Your timing couldn’t have been better though. Because of your comment, I reread the post. It was exactly what I needed to remember today. So, your comment was a message, to me, from the universe. Thank you.
this is so true, it’s the same at work. Thank you for this article, it’s good to know I’m not just lazy or procrastinating
Yeah, I think some days we have more motivation than others or just energy. At work, just being in the environment can trigger your mind to get started but with hobbies, like sewing, since most of us don’t do it for a paycheck, it’s extra hard to get started on those days of no motivation.
I am reading this article 3 years after it was published and it really resonated! I moved to a new home several months ago, set up a lovely sewing room with my three machines (Pfaff, Overlock and Coverstitch) and I have avoided starting anything because I have been so busy. I was going to start a wrap dress that I haven’t made before, which requires creating a muslin, fitting, etc. before sewing. I think I felt overwhelmed. So after reading this, I am going to a recovery workout with some leopard fabric that I will use to make a drapey cardigan that I have made twice in other fabrics to ease myself back to the sewing table. Thank you for this wonderful advice!
Thank you. Sometimes an easy or familiar project is just the ticket. It’s like comfort food 😉 You just need something not so demanding and that you can count on to work out. Eventually, you’ll have the energy to tackle a bigger project – and it’s true for more than sewing. Moving is a major project and then the transition of adjusting to your new house (and/or town and/or state) so give yourself all the time and comfort projects you want.
Hello Mary, I found your blog while searching for altering a pair of trousers. Thank you for a very easy to follow tutorial 🙂 then I spotted this post about a recovery workout. This post struck a chord with me as I am returning to sewing after a long absence…of 45 years! My first project is a baby quilt and I am taking my time with it. If I am honest I was a bit apprehensive about starting it and of course procrastinated. So I experimented for a while with some improv piecing and it worked 🙂 I am so glad I found your blog 🙂
Sandra
South Kilkenny
Ireland
oh my, I’m so good at procrastinating, especially when I’m even a tad worried about messing something up. It’s great that you went ahead and took the little steps – it really is the first few steps that are the hardest. Thank you for reading the blog and welcome back to sewing.