Sunday 21 January 2018

Breaking a Year-Long Silence

Hello!

I know it has been absolutely ages since I last blogged. Most of you have probably given up on me, so I would just like to apologise - to myself as well as you - for such a long period of silence. When I wrote my last blog post, I had no idea it would take me a year to write another one. The final few months of my undergraduate degree were very full-on and blogging fell by the wayside, but I'm happy to announce that I graduated in July with a 2:1! Since then, I've started back at uni to get my Masters in Medieval Studies, something which I'm really enjoying. However, adjusting to the workload that accompanies a degree of this type is something that I've struggled with. I've been left with little time for creative pursuits like sewing, and I've noticed that my mental health has really suffered as a result.

The last time I sewed anything was over summer, but even then I had little time at home. I stayed at my university house until graduation in late July (without my sewing machine), spent a lot of time in Liverpool with my boyfriend and his family, then returned to university to start my Masters in early September. I did have a lovely summer, but I was only left with about three weeks of sewing time during August, where I did make a few new things including some Cleo dresses, a Penny shirt and a Linden sweatshirt, but after putting so much effort into writing my dissertation, I just felt I didn't have many words left for blogging.

Just recently, in an attempt to satisfy the part of me that needs to be doing something creative, I've started knitting. I've only knit a handful of things before, as sewing is really more my thing, but in the absence of my sewing machine, knitting has become an important part of my free time, allowing me to feel like I'm actually achieving something. I've started to feel guilty whenever I'm not doing uni work, but knitting a few rows every evening helps to alleviate this. So far, I've finished a jumper (JB180) and started a cardigan using the same pattern.

Of course, my heart still belongs to sewing, and my head is buzzing with patterns and fabric choices and things I could make. I try to keep track of all my plans using the 'Saved' feature on Instagram - I know I won't have much time to sew until October when my Masters finishes, but until then, I can still dream of all the lovely things I could be making!

I won't promise you'll hear from me again soon, because I have no idea when I'll next get round to sewing something. However, this year I have vowed to try and manage my time better, to try and fit more fun things into my free time and spend less time worrying and feeling guilty whilst doing them. I work hard for my Masters - I deserve some time to spend knitting, reading, maybe even sewing once summer rolls round!

Until next time, you can always take a peek at what I'm up to on Instagram (@beththegulfmini), where I post far more regularly than on the blog!

Thank you for being so patient with me, and I will do my absolute best to not leave it a year this time! I hope you all have a wonderful 2018,

Beth xx