I know that you’re not supposed to do this.
“Fake it ’til you make it” they say, don’t they?
But everyone goes through rough patches now and again. Me included.
Recently I have been feeling… directionless. Disheartened, unsuccessful and frankly a little bit lost as far as modflowers is concerned.
I have made lots of things over the past few years, and not many of them have exactly set the world alight. My blog has been in the technical doldrums. And although I offloaded my old stock, I haven’t seemed able to muster the energy to make new stock with which to reopen my shop.
But just when you think you can’t see a way forward, people have a way of taking you gently by the hand and leading you out of the mire.
A friend took me for coffee (well, tea) and listened to me moan. I felt ashamed of myself afterwards, but better for being able to let things out.
Another friend invited lad and I to spend a couple of days of the Easter holidays with her and her kids out in the Derbyshire Peaks. It was a real battery-recharger.
Sunshine, big skies, children. Three things absolutely guaranteed to take you out of yourself.
And then, a complete stranger emailed me.
It was a long email. It explained her background, her interest in all things designer-makery, her desire to help me.
She went on to give lots of advice. Lessons learned from her own experience, insights into my own situation, tips for developing a way forward.
I feel incredibly grateful, and a little overwhelmed at the generosity of it all.
So this post is to say thank you, to friends and strangers both. For being there; for caring enough to pick me up when I needed it. ♥
Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.
I’m so glad you’ve had some good support and encouragement. You really do deserve it, and I know your creativity won’t stay in the doldrums forever.
By no means least, yours Kate. Thank you xx
My pleasure. It’s probably just as well you’re far away, otherwise I’d be stuffing you with cake, my universal panacea!
how lovely, people do appear at the right moments I think. I feel similar, like I was losing my focus and lost my way slightly. Someone made a list yesterday of questions for me to ask myself which was useful. For me I think it’s about commitment, but also feeling like I’m stepping the right way. You have put so much ground work in. Sometimes it’s just sitting in the space in between and trusting I guess. Your radar will hone in! look forward to seeing how it develops 🙂 x
Would love to see your list of questions… I have a feeling I might have been asking myself a few of them!
The kindness of strangers can be overwhelming, can’t it? So glad it arrived at the right time and sorry to hear of your struggles – you’d never know from the outside – I think you’ve been producing so many gorgeous things that are so unmistakably modflowers – you have such a strong unique style. How are you measuring yourself? I think you’re doing fantastically well – yours is always one of my favourite blogs to read. Maybe you need to be a little kinder to yourself? I wish I lived nearer – would love to pop over for a chat. xxxx
Ahh Zoë – I am a much more productive person online than in real life, alas! I would love you to come over for a chat. It actually seems weird we’ve never actually met, doesn’t it?!