from little things
small steps for big changes has been on my mind this week.
Earlier in the week, I had a conversation with a friend. We are both homeschooling mamas of four small folks - her older two are the same age as my younger two. Another thing we have in common? The chronic inability to say no to committees and community work. Of course there was the usual jokes of “if you want something done give it to a busy person”, but there was also deeper discussion on the shift in attitudes to community service, and how the size of our respective towns impacts those attitudes as well.
“Imagine if everyone in this town gave one hour a year. Imagine the impact it could have”
-my friend on a roadside chat following kid swapover at the end of a homeschool workshop
One hour a year. It sounds like just a small thing, and yet I couldn’t help but agree with her. When I look at my three committees, and think of what it would mean if even five people gave one single hour, it was phenomenal. A small slice of time that has the power to reshape entire communities. Such a small input for massive impact made me think of a Tumblr post that does the rounds every now and then.
It’s true, isn’t it? Thinking of small actions making big impacts makes complete sense when talking about changing things that are yet to happen, but it’s harder to apply the same logic looking forward.
It’s something I’ve been working on in my creative life this past week or so. For the most part, everything feels like a holding pattern, leading to the winter blues settling into a deeper languishing. It’s a season where I feel too busy to make time for creating, but that is also exactly the time I should be prioritising even five minutes of making.
Because accountability is my love language, over on Threads I’ve been sharing three mini goals each day, little slices of creating to ground myself. It has been so helpful to keep me making even when life feels too busy to allow that time. Even more inspiring is seeing other folks joining in. A little community springing up around stolen moments of time, bringing momentum to my daily lists that doesn’t happen when I feel like I’m screaming into the void.
ON THE CRAFT TABLE THIS WEEK
left// I’ve been finalising the last of my 15@40 projects, and playing with the settings on my Selphy - after 6+ years I’ve finally worked out my colour problems are not irredeemable!
centre// the 2023 Inchie Challenge is underway, and after lamenting how much I couldn’t chill enough to get into Zentangle on a recent podcast episode, I decided I would use this challenge to tangle my own way.
right// Miss12 bought a multi-strand leather necklace a few weeks back, and she wanted to make a pendant to add to it. Yesterday I pulled out the bead box and we had a lovely hour or so together, playing with pretty shinies.
OTHER NON CRAFTY FUN
watching// Good Omens with Mr16 - we’re coming to the end of season one and I’m loving it. Aside from the fun of the show, it’s a nice way to spend time with my rapidly growing biggest baby.
reading// “What Never Happened”, last months bookclub book. It took a bit to get into, but now I’m hooked…or at least I am in the times I can pry the kindle away from Mr9!
listening// to the teenager’s playlists as we churn through the last of his learner driver hours, ahead of his driving test next month.
And so Monday rolls around again. Today’s mini creative break goals - sketch some flowers. Knit a round of my jumper sleeve. Take a photo. Tiny little slices I can squeeze in between helping with the house painting and getting some homeschool lessons done. What does your Monday making look like?