I've been meaning to do an update on where I am with some of the goals I mentioned in this post. (I haven't updated on our financial/retirement goals for a long time because we've been at that really boring stage where nothing really interesting happens, just the numbers go up slowly and steadily. However, I will be updating you in the next few weeks because things are going to be a bit exciting soon. I shall say no more!)
Art - ended up expressing myself creatively in a different way to painting - sewing! I haven't done anything with the sewing machine for a couple of years then suddenly I had an urge to pick up the fabric one Sunday evening and make myself a couple of face masks. Can't believe I actually did it instead of making excuses, as I have done every week since last year's lockdown!
Striking while the iron was hot, I decided to make a plastic bag holder with a gorgeous Emma Bridgewater tea towel I was given. I knew I would never use it as a tea towel, as it was too nice to ruin, but wanted to see it every day. The tea towel was already seamed so all I had to do was sew the long edges together and then thread some elastic through the bottom seam. It already had a hanging loop on it.
Because of these two projects, I've slightly adapted this goal to include anything crafty, and this month I have a goal to make a new cover for my buckwheat hull pillow. It's 20 years old and has holes, but is a vital for me to comfortably sleep so I will find a suitable fabric from my stash, use the old cover as a template and reuse the zip.
Also, I found myself a free art history course to do - History of Art and Western Civilisation - over at the Smarthistory.org site but I haven't started it as I keep being side-tracked. I'm only really interested in the Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite period, but some of the other historical periods (particularly Egypt) look so interesting I might go through those as well.
The Gothic - After my last post I had a good clear out of my wardrobe, getting rid of anything that didn't 'spark joy' and went on a hunt for some basic additions to my wardrobe. This is rare for me. I hate a) shopping and b) paying full price for anything 😊 I found only one item I liked but unfortunately it was so poorly made I sent it straight back when it arrived.
Cheap sweatshop clothes made of thin, shiny unflattering material. I'm not sure what I thought it would be made of when I ordered it but lesson learned. I'm back to square one. I'd like find something made of a reasonable-weight cotton or jersey that is sustainably produced and isn't so thin it shows my underwear. It's actually a really tall order.
When I started looking at other aspects of how I dress I realised I have been hiding parts of myself because I don't want to have to deal with other people's silly comments. For example, I like strong, dark coloured nail polishes and winged eyeliner but don't often wear them as they can attract somewhat negative attention. So, last month I ordered a couple of nail polishes - black and petrol blue - and a liquid eyeliner for myself and have started wearing them. I've only had one person comment during a meeting to say I was doing so well to get dressed nicely and do my make-up and nails every day. It was a genuine compliment and made me feel good.
Jigsaw puzzles - actually managed to get three done in the last month and am on to my fourth.
Reading - I manage to read five books in January.
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