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A couple months ago, I sent my e-mail list a survey to learn a little more about them and what struggles they had when crocheting. Many people said that they struggled with finding the time and energy to crochet.
This really resonated with me, because I have struggle soooooo much with this in the past. After having 4 babies in less than 5 years, moving 4 times in 3 years, and having a husband who has worked anywhere from 60-80 hours in one week these past 2 years, my life has definitely needed some kind of organization!
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I’ve learned so much along the way when it has come to time management, gaining energy, and just letting things go. So here is a list of my top 10 tips for maintaining energy and finding time for your crochet projects
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10 Ways to Find Time & Energy to Crochet
Use the Block System!
If you’ve never heard of the Block System, I’m about to BLOW YOUR MIND! It is the concept of rather than scheduling every hour of your day, you make lists of things that need to be completed in 2-3 hour time periods. Once the time is up for that block, you must stop (or finish whatever you are doing) and move on to the next block.
I first stumbled upon the Block System while following Jordan Page from “Fun, Cheap, or Free”. The system helped me so much that I ended up buying her program “Productivity Boot Camp” and learning so much on how schedules don’t work, but rather that routines are the way to go. She starts with the block system, but gives so much more in this program, I can’t do it justice.
Give Yourself a Deadline
As a small business owner, I have to give myself deadlines. I hate deadlines. But when I make them, I keep them!
My main reason for suggesting you make a deadline is that I consider a deadline you make to be a promise to yourself. I want you to make sure you are keeping promises you make to yourself. If you’re breaking promise after promise after promise, you WILL consider yourself a flake and won’t trust yourself when you say you’ll do something.
This can be so incredibly damaging to your self image and confidence. So break that habit! Start making deadlines and keeping those promises!
Make REALISTIC goals
Now deadlines are absolutely useless if you don’t make them realistic. Don’t assume you’re going to be able to make 10 Freddy the Teddy stuffed animals in 2 days. That is just setting yourself up for failure!
Instead, think about how many hours it takes you to make an amigurumi pattern. Figure out how many blocks (2-3 hour chunks) you will be able to crochet every day or week. Then come up with a REALISTIC goal. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll get done.
Drink Plenty of Water
I know, I know. Everybody is obsessed with telling everybody else that we need to be drinking more water every day. But it’s true!! Have you ever felt super tired or emotional and then chugged a glass of water and realized that was all you needed to gain some energy? Yeah, me, too! Basically EVERY DAY! So just make sure you drink a glass every couple hours.
Do 10-15 minutes of Stretching or Exercise
This is another one of those “Don’t tell me how to live my life” kind of pieces of advice. But believe me, when I roll out my Pilates mat and do just 10-15 minutes of stretching or exercise, I all of a sudden have significantly more energy and motivation.
My favorite stretching and exercise videos to do are by Robin Long at the Balanced Life. She is amazing and so positive. Her motto is “Grace over Guilt.” I love that.
If video exercises aren’t your thing. Just head outside and walk around the block or down the road. Not only the exercise, but the fresh air will wake you back up and give you the energy you need to keep crocheting!
CAFFEINE!!!
Ok…I know this isn’t exactly the healthiest thing to suggest, but hear me out. Every morning, I drink at least 1 cup of coffee. Then in the afternoon around 1:30, once the kiddos are down for naps, I have a caffeinated tea (I’m one of those Chai Latte people. Tazo makes my favorite! ). It gives me that extra energy to get stuff done. And this includes crochet!
Multi-task
Whenever you sit down with your yarn and hook, put on a show, podcast, or audio book. I’ve always been a huge fan of podcasts such as Dave Ramsey and Issues, etc., but have recently been enjoying audio books! If you’d like to try audio books, you can get an Audible Gift Membership for $45 for 3 months with 1 month free.
Find an “Accountability Buddy”
Since the beginning of my blogging journey, I’ve been a part of a lot of crochet groups on Facebook. It wasn’t until recently that I actually started being active on them. It’s made such a difference in my motivation and determination to complete projects.
If you’re blessed to have a friend nearby who can encourage you, that’s a huge bonus. Recently, my friend Sarah has started doing pattern testing for me, and it’s made crocheting so much more fun! Find a friend, crochet or yarn group, or join many of the crochet groups online through Facebook!
Set a Timer
Remember when you were a kid and your mom would tell you to clean up your room or you’d receive some kind of punishment? Then she’d give you a time limit of 5 minutes? Remember how FAST you’d clean? It was like you all of a sudden became productivity master! This is what setting a timer does. Just try it. I betcha it’ll work!
Let it go!
There are going to be times when you just crash from exhaustion. I have 4 little kids, I know better than most how exhausting life can be! This is when I need you to just let it go. Give yourself grace, because no one can get everything done or be super energetic or have time for all the things all the time!
Give yourself grace, because that’s what crochet is all about. This craft is a gift. It’s one that helps us connect with those we love and those we may never meet face to face. No matter who you crochet for, remember that this is a beautiful connection to have with others.
Hopefully you find this list helpful and can get more energy and time for your crochet time. Do you have any other tips? Please leave them in the comments below!
Happy Crocheting!
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