Stitching Down the Days: Intuitive Daily Stitching Journal Update
Perseverance pays dividends
Have you ever saved a gorgeous image on Pinterest with the intention of later making that thing yourself? It’s one of my toxic traits. I have a bulging Pinterest board that’s overflowing with inspirational, creative project ideas that I have pinned with the intention of giving them a try.
In January of this year, I actually tried to create a project I’d pinned–a daily intuitive stitching journal. Whenever I’d search for stitching inspiration on Pinterest, Karen Turner’s work often showed up in the results. For the past few years, she has been creating a daily intuitive stitching journal. I’ve been intrigued by her work, but always in an aspirational way. I never thought I could stick to doing something every single day for a year.
Taking on a year-long project requires careful consideration. But I counted the cost and decided to commit to doing daily stitching for one month at a time. So far, I haven’t missed a day of stitching on it. Now, as we prepare to begin the fifth month of the year, I’m checking in on my daily intuitive stitching journal progress.
I can keep my commitments to myself
In my first check-in after completing the first 30 days of my intuitive daily stitching journal, I wrote about my experience with completing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November, and how I proved to myself that I can see a challenge through to the end. With every day I pick up this project and stitch a square, I remind myself that I can keep the promises I make to myself even with ADHD. Perseverance pays off, and building that skill in one area of life gives you access to it in all the others.
Be prepared
Because I have limited time to finish my stitching in the morning, I’m relentless about preparation. Some days, I can spend more time looking for something to inspire me about what to stitch that day than it takes to actually stitch. So, sometimes I peruse Pinterest to gather ideas for what to stitch so I can get going right away.
I have a small box, which holds all the supplies I need, including:
My stitch journal
Embroidery floss
Scissors (fancy, fine-tipped embroidery scissors)
Heat-erasable pen
Pincushion full of different-sized needles
Thimbles
Embroidery hoop
I have created a little ritual around pulling out my box, unfurling my stitch journal, and stitching the space for that day. I pour myself a cup of tea, which might be green tea and ginger, peppermint, or my old standby, Earl Grey. I add a bit of Stevia and fresh lemon if we happen to have some.
Now, with almost five months of stitching, it feels wonderful to open up the cloth and look back on the previous months, day by day. I started stitching the full moon and new moon each month, but somehow the new moons have been neglected. I noticed that in May, there is a full moon on the first and last day of the month.
Find the joy in it
Finally, nobody wants to drudge their way through a boring project just so they can say they did it. Stitching brings me joy. It’s a meditative practice for me. It helps ground me and calm my nervous system before the day gets out of control.
I have not established many rules about my daily intuitive stitching because I want to keep it a joyful exercise. I thought I’d make every space different, but I’ve found myself repeating the patterns I really enjoy, and some days flow into the next.
I’ve seen some people, including Karen, choose a color scheme for each month, but I haven’t. Mine is completely random and intuitive: I stitch whatever I fancy that morning as I sit with my journal in my lap, waiting for my tea to cool enough to drink.
The big joy that I’m looking forward to is unfurling the almost 8 feet of stitching I’ll have on the last day of this year. I certainly intend to film that process.
As I stitch through the last few days of April, I’m grateful to have begun this project. Despite what’s going on in the world, I can hold the space for peace, love, and compassion as I work on my few stitches before I begin my day. I hope you’ve got a project that’s inspiring you as we move through these tumultuous days.
What’s something you’ve stuck with that you’re proud of?
I have also found stitching to be incredibly grounding. I needed something to keep me present and off my phone with my little one. Stitching has been it! Free stitching, not following a pattern, advising myself to embrace the mistakes as part of the journey and process of self acceptance. I haven’t done a journal, I’d like to try it! May is a perfect month to do so, as it is my birthday. Cheers!
Inspiring!