On Pom-Poms and Experimenting

If I have learned one thing while sewing, it is that experimenting and risking failure is the only way to get better at something. I expected to get better at embracing risk in my sewing, and I have, but I am still surprised to find it is trickling over into other areas of my life. I’m finding it a little easier each time stepping out of my comfort zone – a little exercising here, a little knitting there….

I’ve never been one for home decorating.  I thought rooms had to be “done over” in one big swoop, and there was no way I had the time or money for that. Besides, what if I didn’t like it? or Andy? and all the money and effort was wasted? And this house is wonderfully functional but probably can’t be beautiful anyways…

Then, I read The Nesting Place, and I was challenged me to have an attitude of thankfulness for what I have been given and the freedom to just try to turn my house into a home that suits us. It’s about making small changes and experimenting. If a whole room is too much, make a vignette. Mistakes are part of the process.

So, I read these words while trapped in my chair this summer and steeped in them for far longer than I would have like. And now finally, Andy and I are working towards living them out, starting with acquiring a set of bookshelves. It may seem simple, but it was a huge victory for our family.

Then to top it off, I did something WILD. I made a yarn pom-pom garland. Just because. Just because the colors made me happy, and it felt celebratory, and it was out of my comfort zone, and it felt good to experiment.

“Just because” feels good.