Learn something new. Seems like a reasonable enough New Year’s Resolution to me. However, if you’re like me, learning something new can be scary and make you feel vulnerable. It can seem risky, especially if others know you’re trying to learn something new.
Last month, I decided to learn how to crochet. It was something I could do in the evening while watching TV or winding down for the night. When Derek heard me asking my mom for some help, he laughed. Now, let’s be honest, if I needed a button sewed back onto my dress, he was the one to do it. (Shh, don’t tell him I told you). And last year I had the brilliant idea of making aprons for Milo’s birthday party. Of course, the aprons turned out beautifully, but my mom did all of the work! For some reason, this time was different. Derek’s laugh gave me more motivation to follow through with learning something new. I wanted to make some cute hats for Sawyer, and the $30 on Etsy was getting to be a bit much. So I purchased some yarn and began my learning journey.
My first hat was no where near perfect. I had to start over several times, and when it was finished, it was too small for Sawyer. At a previous time in my life (or maybe if this wasn’t something new I was learning) I would’ve felt like a failure. How could I make it too small, how did it not look just like the picture? Yet, those thoughts didn’t cross my mind. Instead, I felt accomplished and proud of myself for creating something. Even better, Sawyer’s doll has a new hat!
Through learning something new I have found not only something I enjoy doing, but something where I could be creatively messy – where it was okay to not be perfect. Crocheting isn’t something I have to share with the world or count on financially. It is just something I enjoy. Best of all, I have proven to myself that I can learn something new!
This past holiday season, I decided to make gifts for 3 special friends. I found an infinity scarf pattern and went to work. Again, none of them were perfect. But I improved with each scarf I made, and I couldn’t wait to give them to each friend.
With the holidays over, I felt like I could finally make something for myself! A new love for oversized infinity scarves, I decided to make myself a new scarf! I had to learn, yet another new stitch to start the pattern. It took me two hours to get the first row correct. But then, I was so surprised to see how easily the movement came to me. In just three days, I had completed a scarf that I’m truly proud to show off. (Scarf pattern from Well-Ravelled)
I encourage you to learn something new this year. I know that it can be scary or hard, but you never know what you may discover.
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