Just Try!

Here I am on the last day of my 366 Somedays and what have I learned?

I have learned not all “Somedays” are meant to be.  Once attention was finally given to some, they just didn’t fulfill the expectations.  The activity was not as fun as anticipated or the amount of work to accomplish the “Someday” was beyond what I was willing to expend.  Speaking Italian fell into this category.  I’ll still dream of living in Italy and conversing fluently with my neighbors, but the reality is I’ll never live in Italy and I’ll never speak Italian – fluently or otherwise.

I have learned goals can be achieved with steady and persistent effort.  My “Someday” to complete the physical challenge of walking or running 1200 miles in a year required me to focus on getting in miles almost daily.  There were times I would have preferred to sit out a workout due to rain, snow, heat, or just plain laziness, but I didn’t – I kept at it for twelve months and I achieved my goal.

I have learned that tackling some “Somedays” leads to the accomplishment of other “mini-Somedays”.  This month, as I’ve been working on restoring my carousel horse (no pictures yet – it isn’t done), I’ve also been painting (with the same paint) a decorative mirror which I’d planned on putting in a specific spot in our home, but which has been sitting in a garage closet for the last two years waiting to be painted and antiqued.

I have learned most “Somedays” cannot be completed within a month.  My very first “Someday” of writing a book in a month was way too ambitious!  The book still isn’t done and the reality is, that may not be the book I end up finishing.  I’ll still write and, eventually, a book will be completed, but it would be disheartening to chastise myself for not finishing in one month.  This has been the hardest lesson to accept.  So many of my “Somedays” aren’t finished and, at first, that bothered me, but all of the “Somedays” I tackled are started and that, in my opinion, is a win.

I have learned some “Somedays” resonate more than others and that is joyous.  Yoga, a “Someday” not chosen, but which I probably would not have attempted if I weren’t going through this journey, has quickly become part of my daily routine and I wonder why I didn’t open myself to it years ago.  Knitting also brings me joy and, while I don’t sit for hours and knit, when I do pick up my needles, I feel a calm wash over me.

So, with successes (1200 mile challenge), failures (speaking Italian), postponements (gardening – the space is finally ready and I’ll try planting this spring), and continuations (writing a book, restoring my carousel horse), perhaps the biggest lesson of this year has been that it’s okay to fail, to not enjoy, to set aside, but it isn’t okay to not even try.

Love the One You’re With

When I started my “Someday” of knitting back in November, I chose to start with a learn-to-knit kit I’d purchased on clearance several years ago.  I started out strong and was pleased the pattern would allow me to learn several different techniques by the time I was done.  The pattern is for a scarf and hat in a style I wouldn’t wear.  The yarn is a denim blue, a color that doesn’t appeal to me.  I liked the activity of knitting, but I was uninspired by what I was knitting.  Still, not wanting to waste the kit, I kept plugging away at it – slowly and without much enthusiasm.

One day, in a craft store, I looked at some beautiful, soft yarn and thought how nice it would be to knit with that yarn.  A few days later, as I sat trying to finish another row on my scarf, the Stephen Stills song, Love the One You’re With came to mind.  I never really liked the lyrics because I didn’t think one should simply settle for the one “right next to you” and I realized I didn’t need to settle for the learn-to-knit kit.  I could knit something I wanted with a yarn that brought me pleasure in its look and feel.  I ordered the lovely yarn and I’ve started a blanket for myself.  Every time I pick up my knitting needles, I feel a little bit of joy as the soft blanket that’s taking shape settles into my lap.

So, another lesson learned:  sometimes the “Someday” can be right, even when enthusiasm is lacking.  Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the right outlet so you can Love the One You’re With.

Getting Started Counts

Here it is the first of December and I haven’t finished my knitting project from last month.  Last night, as I was adding a couple more inches to my project and mentally beating myself up for not having completed it, I realized I was being too harsh with myself.  After all, my Someday for November was to learn to knit and there I was knitting!  The project I’m working on is from a starter kit I purchased at least five years ago.  It’s been sitting in the closet ever since waiting for me to get around to learning to knit.  Well, it’s not in the closet anymore; it’s sitting beside my chair with several inches completed.  Sure, I have a lot to learn about other stitches, adding and decreasing (I’m not even sure that’s the right terminology), but the point is – I’m knitting!  Getting started does count!

November’s “Someday” — Knitting

Time for a new “Someday” and I realize I never made the announcement last month that I was taking another hiatus.  I was out of the country for almost three weeks in October – not the time to take on a new “Someday”.  We were in Italy where, if I’d actually learned Italian earlier this year, I’d have been able to try out my new skill.  However, my realization during my Italian language “Someday” regarding my lack of skill with languages was reinforced during this trip.  I use the basics: per favore, grazie, si, ciao, but even after being there for more than two weeks I can’t say much more.  Perhaps if I were immersed in the language for a decade or two I’d be able to carry on a simple conversation, but I’m not terribly certain of that either.

So, I used last month as a hiatus and now it’s time for something new and this month I’m knitting.  As a teenager, I learned to crochet and made a typical granny square afghan along with coasters and a pretty cool mobile using little crocheted doilies dangling by fishing line from cut wire clothes hangers.  I tried a brief stint (15 minutes, maybe) of knitting, but it just wasn’t happening.  I see people knitting and I think it looks like a relaxing way to spend time, not to mention the beautiful scarves, sweaters, and blankets knitters be produce.

To kick off this month’s “Someday”, I’m attending a local knitting club’s monthly gathering this afternoon.  They’ve assured me they can get me started.  I’m determined to give this more than a 15 minute try and, since the meeting this afternoon lasts 2.5 hours, I’ll have reached my goal.  Seriously, I really would like to give this enough of a try to see if it’s a fit for me.  I’m a fidgety person and having something to do with my hands seems like a good thing.  Of course, it will be tough to eat popcorn or other snacks while knitting, but that’s probably another good thing.