To listen to the episode, head on over to the show notes.
Hi There! I’m Nicole Gilbert and you’ve joined The Stop Scrolling and Start Sewing Podcast. Are you new to sewing and want to start quilting but have ne idea where to begin? Each Wednesday join me as I share the ins and outs of that quilt life. If you don’t have a sewing machine, have no idea how much fabric you need, or you’re just trying to figure out where the heck to stick that bobbin this is the podcast for you.
On today’s episode we’re discussing how I squeeze quilting into a jam packed schedule and you totally can too! But first a word from our sponsor.
Today’s episode is brought to you by my online course all about learning how to quilt. The doors aren’t open quite yet, but you can head over to themodernquilterscircle.com/theacademy to get on the waitlist so you can be amongst the first to know when enrollment starts. Spoiler alert: it’s coming soon!
Ok. Lets get to it!
On last week’s episode I answered a handful of questions that have been popping up in my inbox and I’m so happy about the reception that it’s received! If you haven’t had a chance to listen to my FAQ episode head on over the themodernquilterscircle.com/episode-6 to have a listen. But there was one question I skipped, mostly because I thought it deserved a podcast episode all it’s own.
That question revolved around quilting and how I make the time to complete projects with 3 kids under the age of 5. And I get why you’re curious. All of us have crazy busy lives and taking time to indulge in a hobby seems like a luxury.
But I’ve got a secret for you, It’s not!
I truly believe that fostering a hobby is the absolute best way for you to practice self care, and I may be partial here, but especially if your hobby is quilting.
Ok. Let me back up a minute and I bet you’ll totally agree with me by the end of this episode.
First off, let’s talk self care in general. I think I can safely say that by now some sunshine and rainbows woo woo has made it across your newsfeed telling you the importance of taking care of yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally. And I believe that it’s totally true!
The problem I have with all of that, is that it all comes back to the same lame fall backs. Reading a book while drinking tea, taking a bubble bath, or getting your hair and nails done. And I’m not hating on those things, I personally do all of those things on a regular basis. And that’s the problem. Somewhere along the way, those that preach self care assume that we’re not even doing regular maintenance on ourselves. And for those of you out there who aren’t, go do it! Now. Seriously. Go take a shower and paint your nails. You can thank me later.
But I digress.
I believe that self care needs to help you achieve an upper level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If you’re not familiar with Maslow’s hierarchy. I’ll link to an article about it in the show notes. You can find that over at themodernquilterscircle.com/episode-7. Anyway, That’s where hobby comes in. When you cultivate a new hobby, you learn a new skill, you fine tune the skillset you already have. Even bigger than that is the feeling of accomplishment and self worth that you get from a job well done.
Enter quilting. You learn something new every day when you’re a quilter. No matter what skill level you’re at. So learning new things? CHECK. Everytime you finish a quilt you get a feeling of accomplishment. You’re also making something that is not only beautiful, but useful. So easteem? Check and Check!
Ok time to circle back to the original question. Which was how do I make time to quilt when I have such a packed schedule. And the main thing to keep in mind is that I make time.
I know, I know. That sounds like such a cop out answer. But its true! I’m a better mom and wife when I take time for myself. I quilt during nap time and after the kids go to bed. I quilt when the kids are playing outside. I work from home and always have and my husband is in the military so there are many times when I’m solo parenting. It ain’t easy. But I know that if I don’t take that time to have a creative outlet, to recharge and clear my mind, I will be doing myself, my kids, and my husband a disservice. You know what my house full of boys doesn’t notice? How often I vacuum and whether there are dishes in the sink. I’m not saying skip those things, but I am saying we all could do a better job of prioritizing ourselves. And I think we should all take a long look at our schedules and drop something off that isn’t serving you or your family. I gaurentee there is at least one thing you could skim off.
How was Tiger King? Don’t you think that Carole Baskin is a nut job? BT-dubs. If you can answer those questions I just found a few hours where you could have been quilting.
Same goes for all that newsfeed scrolling. I mean, I titled this podcast Stop Scrolling, start sewing for a reason!
I believe that we truly make time for what we want to do. And I’m by no means trying to call you out. I can’t tell you how many times I could have been so much more productive, but these dang kids had run me ragged and I just wanted to sit and stare at the wall, or play bubble shooter on my phone. We are all guilty of it.
And no, quilting isn’t the only hobby out there to fulfill you in this way, but if you’ve been listening to me ramble on today or in any of my past episodes, I feel pretty safe in saying that you’re my people and quilting might be your jam as well.
If you’re already a quilter, please make sure you’re following my fabook page, The Modern Quilters Circle. I’d love to chat! And if you’re interested in learning more about quilting head on over to themodernquilterscircle.com/theacademy. I can’t wait to see you there. And don’t forget to visit the show notes for any of the links I’ve mentioned in this episode.
So there you have it. You’ve just finished another episode of the Modern Quilters Circle! Thanks for hanging out with me! Make sure you never miss an episode by hitting subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.