I don't know what it is, but lately I've been feeling... boring. Not bored (after all, I knit, so I'm never bored), but actually boring. I feel like when people ask what's new with me, I don't have anything to report- I'm making apple butter, I'm knitting something, and I go to work Monday through Friday, and take it easy on the weekend. Lather, rinse, repeat.
I used to think that as long as someone was interested in things and the world around them, they would be interesting naturally. But lately I've been feeling like maybe I'm not actively engaging the world enough- I've settled into the delightful coziness of married life, and I find that now I have a bunch of TV shows I regularly watch, which is great for knitting, and I'm reading lots of books.... but where is the zing? Where are the heady adventures of big city living when you're child-free, mortgage-free, and wanting to live it up until the mortgage and children come along?? I'll admit that part of the reason I feel this way is because I have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, and then shortly after that, the new year ticks over into a brand new decade... I guess I feel like taking stock. And although I am very lucky in lots of ways, and really happy with my family, friends, and husband, I feel like I'm the one who is lacking. I'm craving adventure, new experiences, getting out there and doing... something. I just wish I knew what.
Anyways. Oh look, I knitted a camel:
(I'm sorry for the yellowy photos, my living room is pretty dark with the exception of a couple incandescent light bulbs- hence the yellow glow!)
I agreed to knit a couple of animals for my father in law's knitted nativity (which is in his church in Flax Burton, UK), and then didn't give myself enough time to start on them, and figured I could bang out a couple of knitted animals in no time (oh who was I fooling?? Camels are complicated!!). So, I'll only be sending this little guy over to the UK this season, and maybe a donkey to follow next year. I heavily improvised a pattern to create a camel about 9" in height, which I hope works out well for the rest of the nativity (which I've never seen!). Fingers crossed! Here he is having some adventures around the apartment, while I tried to get a couple of good shots:
26 comments:
that camel is so cute.
I love that you said as a knitter you are never bored. I always get so confused when people complain about being bored. I don't even remember what being bored feels like!
I do know what being in a bit of a rut feels like, though. Before I quit my big girl job in real estate I felt like that every day. But whereas you sound super happy, I was pretty miserable and that prompted me to make a switch. Hopefully you can find something slightly less drastic to help you mix things up a bit!
I love that little guy. So cute.
I know how you feel. I have been feeling boring for a while now myself.
The camel is adorable! I love it. I know what you mean about not having much to say when people ask what's new. I don't think I'm boring (you probably aren't either), but I never have an exciting answer to that question.
I know how you feel. Knitting usually trumps reading for me, and I'm a film/TV lover which doesn't exactly make for the MOST interesting conversation. I mean, I love discussing that stuff with other folks but it often ends up feeling kinda lame, constantly talking about fictional characters...don't sweat it, I'm sure everyone has these little bouts. You know what makes me feel better? Going to a bookstore and looking around. It usually reminds me of hobbies I want to explore.
Or hey, take a class at MIT!
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
I'm a fellow knitter. And just discovered your blog! Yay! I'm stuck in a rut too, but hopefully that'll all change as we're building a house. Our very first house! But until we have that house, talk about a rut. I wonder if we feel this way because we're crafters. Meant to have a project just waiting in the wings. On constant go mode.
Enjoy the no mortgage! I think I'll miss that feeling the most. Not being tied down.
Now that camel, hee's rocking!
What is that boring feeling? I am so involved in my own work and uni and my relationship and my daughters social life I feel like I have nothing of interest to contribute to conversations. I do so much and am so busy but if someone where to ask what I have done this week I would have so little to tell them of interest. How do you get past this?
Love your slightly short camel. Smart not to give him a complex. lol.
I hear you on the boring part. It must be how it happens. Gradually, we settle in and are happy and content, but lack the lustre we dreamed we'd always have like in a movie.
A knitted Nativity, now that would be a sight to behold!
I know what you mean about feeling kind of boring. If you ever want to break out, I'm always looking for someone to explore the city with!
made a mistake in my last comment :)
but that camel is adorable! it makes me want to knit my own nativity set! i wonder how the rest of the set looks...
i am sorry to hear you are in a rut. for me, it helps to learn a new craft! but that doesnt make for more interesting conversation with non-crafters, im afraid...
LOVE the camel!
And I totally understand the boring thing. My husband is in Afghanistan, and rather than be the boring, miserable wife who works all day and then sits around at home in the evening whiling away the lonely hours, I've started flying planes. I should have my private pilot license by the time he gets back home. It's something I had thought about doing "some day", and finally decided it was time.
From what I've seen on this blog, you are not a boring person at all!! Maybe it's just me, and maybe I'm the one who is boring, but I think that things like making apple butter and knitting a camel for your father-in-law's church are pretty interesting and cool. I've found that since I graduated from college almost 8 years ago, my life has gone through cycles...times when I felt all adventurous and urban and cool, and times when someone looking in on my life may have thought I was actually an old lady living in a small town (not that there's anything wrong with old ladies in small towns, it's just that I was 25 and living in San Francisco :) ). I figure it's ok to have those quiet times in your life. But if you're really craving some new experiences, what about volunteering at a museum or soup kitchen or hospital?
I wonder if it is common to feel this way at the beginning of the dark season? I have recently been questioning my own life with the same feeling of boring-ness or blahness and it seems (from the comments) that others are feeling this way too!
I just saw a quote the other day that makes sense for me in a time like this:
"The best way out is always through." - Robert Frost
Maybe it is something that we just have to get through - a period of less inspiration and excitement. Maybe we need these times to save up energy for when time is truly wild and crazy! :) We just keep going and eventually we'll get through - I hope!
Love the camel too!!!
Oh, I love him! I'm sure your father-in-law will too.
I completely understand about being boring. I have a best friend who lives far from me and when we talk once a month.. she always asks what's new.. and I say.. um.. not much??
I'm only 23, so really a lot should up for me right??
I've started with some small things. For example, I am the most out of shape 23 year old you would probable meet.. people always look at me and think nah, she's fit but when you actually see me exercise or stretch... you'd realize very quickly I'm not! So I've decided to try different workouts, like pilates reformer! it's so much fun!
I've also try to shake things up, like inviting friends to a pub for a few beers during the week!
wow - that is so cute!
happy knitting
You're not boring - you're enjoying a sweet, mellow, reflective time in your life. Who says you have to be out zinging around just because you don't have a mortgage or kids? Nothing wrong with enjoying what's around you for a spell. :)
Very cute camel!
Adorable. Simply adorable.
I couldn't see why you should be boring - you are knitting beautiful things and inspired me to knit again (I have been doing my best on the cowl for a while now - I am such a looser... ;->). I think one has to have down-periods at times in order to appreciate the highs. And you absolutely do not have to be out and about in order to be cool or awesome or great or whatever. If you are comfortabel with the way you are living your life, it's not boring - YOU are not boring. Don't think about what others might think of you. Enjoy your talents - that camel is precious! I bet your FIL doesn't think of you as boring for being able to make such a cute camel! lots of love, susi
I totally hear you on the feeling like things seem the same ole' comfy life day after day. So I do little daring things, like getting bangs or trying a new thing at a regular eatery. A good life is a quiet one punctuated a small excitements, don't you think? Also, travel is good for overcoming the boring doldrums.
I think he's totally adorable (and I love the wall-mounted deer he's sitting on).
I'm sorry to say I have no wise-words to proffer re: feeling the mehs. I live the lather-rinse-repeat life myself.
At least we're good and clean.
i suggest you come visit me! spend a weekend in a different city!
Very cute camel!
If you're up for learning something new, I just learned that the Toronto District School Board offers a huge variety of classes all throughout the city. They're nearly all 9 weeks long and very affordable: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/_site/ViewItem.asp?siteid=200&menuid=983&pageid=721
The hard part will be choosing which one to take!
p.s. On the link I posted above, just choose Community Programs > Winter 2010 brochure and it will open up as a .pdf document
He's arrived and he's wonderful! Thank you!
(Last year, "rustlers" made off with three of our knitted sheep so we shall have to set him up with a bodyguard!)
F.I.L
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