Friday 16 December 2016

planning

2017 Planning Party

Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl is having a planning party, you can find the link up here.  The link party closes on December 31st so there's plenty of time to join in.  

The past few years I have avoided joining in the Finish Along and other blog events, not wanting to put too much pressure on myself.  I am still keen to avoid that pressure, but, as my life changed so dramatically recently, I feel I need to join in with a few things to feel part of the community.

My biggest and overriding goal for 2017 is possibly unattainable, but I'm going to try my damnest.  I want to get better.  I want to recover from this depression.  I know that I will most likely have it all my life, but if I can just have the odd episode every now and again, that would be a vast improvement over the constant depression of the last 4 years. 

As my marriage is over and my dream of children is not to be, I need to make a new life and I want it to involve sewing and quilting.  I barely sewed in 2016 as I couldn't bring myself to go up to my sewing room and I never felt like it.  Now that I am alone, I've brought my machine downstairs and I intend to use it!  My second goal for the year is to get back into making quilts and sewing,




(all process posts will now be dark and gloomy - my sewing room has a big sunny window, my living room/dining room does not!)

I will make a list of my WiPs and will attempt to work through each and every one of them.  I know another blogger is planning on doing a WIP event in 2017 so I will join in with that and make a list.

There are also new things I plan to make.  I'm going on the Bag Retreat in April and I need a new bag to take with me.  I know, that sounds a bit odd, but the current bag I carry is old and the zip is ripped, it's past time for a new one and I can't turn up at an event with lots of bag makers carrying a decrepit old bag!

There are a few quilts I'd like to make too, including my bunny polaroid, a medallion rainbow quilt and Hyde Park - a bunny applique quilt.




Most of all, I'd like to be happy.

26 comments:

Ellie Foster said...

Dear Wendy
Good for you - a lot of positive things to look forward to in 2017. I hope you have a good Christmas and New Year.
Best wishes
Ellie

D1-D2 said...

I wish you have a great 2017 Wendy :)

margaret said...

what a good idea to bring your machine downstairs we are all willing you to get better and are here if you need support, you do not have to struggle on your own.A bag workshop sounds interesting look forward to see what you make

Lisa J. said...

I hope you can find a way to join in without feeling pressure. I wish you the best in 2017 at dealing with your depression and I hope that your sewing and quilting can help you with that.

Oops-Lah said...

Bravo for making plans, for getting "out there" and for having goals. I have the feeling that's the first step towards healing and getting better. I wish you all the very best for a healthier und happier New Year. xx

Tami Von Zalez said...

Ah, I so understand the depths of depression and am now 2 years out of a 5 year black hole.
2017 seems to hold promise and new beginnings, I wish those both for you!
Popped by from the linky party.
http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

I can't promise happiness, still less a cure in a year. But I am sure that you will find new opportunities, new stimuli, and maybe even a improvement in mood. I wish you a change of fortune in 2017.

Christine B said...

I wish you every success with your goals for 2017 and I look forward to seeing some lovely quilt projects! Hope you have a lovely Christmas with your family. Christine x

Jennifer said...

Hi Wendy, sorry you've had a rough go of it this year and I look forward to hearing about all the great things you will be tackling in 2017. Hugs!

Jane Holbrook said...

Wendy Darling, Sounds like 2016 handed you a big crap sandwich. And a crap cookie for dessert. I admire your intention to get going and make some goals. I am still working on mine, and in the process of reading the lists on the link up, realized I didn't get into Stash Bee. WHAT? How could they? I was apparently a turtle in sign ups, so that is one goal I can draw a line through. I have had serious depression, treated, my entire life. It is manageable with the right help. You will come through it. Email me if you want to. One of the ideas I liked on the other quilter's lists was a reward of starting a new project for every 3 she finished. That sounds good to me, though at the current rate I seem to start more than I finish. sheesh. I am in Let's Be Social, too, so I know I'll be seeing you. Have a Lovely New Year.

Jane said...

Take things one day at a time. It will make it a lot easier to sew when you have everything within easy reach, look forward to seeing it all come together.

Unknown said...

Wendy,
Hopefully 2017 will be a great and productive year for you. The bead work on your blog is absolutely beautiful. When I was sad and gloomy, I found that the sound of the sewing machine...the hum of it...soothed my soul. I started scrap piecing and making things that "had no rules". I felt like I had been freed! Good luck in your work!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you really have some great drive and goals for the coming year and I wish you all the very best with them! Not sure you ever get fully better from depression, but from my experience, you get better at managing it. You learn and develop more coping mechanisms; more options to help deal with it and treat it and you have the right mindset to do that. It's only when I look back that I see what a long, long way I've come. Good luck!

Puppilalla said...

I wish you the bestest of luck with your main goal of beating depression. You have a lovely project list and I will look forward to get to accompany your progress steps. I hope you will find enjoyment again. Don't pressure yourself too much though. And I sure hope you have warm hearted friends around you to share your dark and light moments. Kind regards form Berlin.

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

Hi again, so good to read such a positive post. It is so hard to let go of the life you envisaged for yourself, but you just have to accept it, and do exactly what you are doing, plan exciting things that you can do now. Believe me, the freedom is wonderful. You can, for now, just please yourself. So go ahead, make your list, join in with things that please you. There is still a very good life to be lived. I wish you the best for Christmas, but more importantly, the very very best for the year to come. Go girl. Irene xxx

Sharon said...

You are so brave...don't stop! I have suffered from depression at times in my life and wondered if I would ever be happy again. Setting goals is a great beginning...just don't get down on yourself if you don't meet them, the world will not end! Another thing that helps me is journaling...morning pages in just any kind of notebook. It clears your head of all the things that are running around in there...the good and the bad! It is only for you to look at and read. Sometimes it is good to write pages and vent, tear them out and burn them...you are done with those thoughts! Sending you prayers and hugs...now get in that sewing room and create!

Anonymous said...

I think it's a great idea to make plans for changes. You might not accomplish everything you set out to do in 2017 but it's good to set yourself goals.

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl said...

Thank you so much for linking up and bravely sharing so much about what you are going through. Quilting helps me through my darkest times as well, and I can also struggle with depression. I wish you much joy in 2017 and I hope you find quilting and the online community to help you continue to grow and learn.

Sheryl said...

A lot of great ideas to get working on, bravo.

Kate said...

Wishing you a very successful 2017. It's a lot to recover from, but remember progress is just one foot in front of the other, it's not a finish, it's the one step closer.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Good 2017 goals! I can't wait to see what you're going to make :D

Quilts 204 said...

By the previous comments you know now that you are not alone. Many of us have been where you are and have worked our way through it. and you will too. Look forward not backward one day at a time.

Anita Jackson @ Domestic Felicity said...

May many blessings come in your new year! Congratulations on setting goals for yourself, they will keep your mind focused on the future! http://quiltlovefordomesticfelicity.blogspot.com/

Sandra :) said...

Be happy ... and sew more --- two great goals for the new year. After the ****show that was 2016, some happiness and good news would be lovely!

My plan so far for 2017, is to continue with the One Monthly Goal challenge. It's surprising how much of a difference having an online kick in the butt, makes! Whether it's being more productive, happier, or working towards/achieving a different goal - whatever we can do to be more successful is a good thing, so here's to a wonderful 2017!

Sewmotion said...

I have seen from my own experience and others' that quilting serves as a great therapy, surrounded by colour, texture and design, then making something from start to a finished accomplishment can only lift your day! Good luck and all the best for 2017.

Jennie in GA said...

May you find peace, hope and joy in the NY.