I am in the throes of finding my teaching aids for the two Olds classes I am teaching in June, which is a bit of a challenge because I also have all the samples for all the other workshops I’ve taught over the years. Things have gotten shifted multiple times over the past year due to the renovation work we have been having done, plus studio production.
Once I teach one last workshop (if it goes ahead) in October, I will sit down over the winter, sort through ALL my samples, decide which I need to keep for the Olds classes and the rest will get tossed into the recycle bin.
I told Doug yesterday that I am fed up to the back teeth with all the clutter. Between each of us, then emptying out mom’s apartment, living in the same house for over 40 years, running a business out of it, which included teaching as well as production, well…let’s just say I might qualify for an episode of Hoarders!
I am turning 67 this year. Many people I know retire from their professions in their 50’s. I am allowed to admit that I am getting tired. I’ve had a lifetime of repetitive motion type of work and my body is wearing out. I really don’t want to be toting heavy boxes and suitcases around any more.
It is time to look at what I really actually need and get rid of the rest. To that end, I have given myself five years to downsize, at least to the point of having only the yarns I really want to use instead of all the other stuff I have needed for teaching workshops. So I am on a mission – weave as much as possible of the stuff I want to get rid of, finish The Book, concentrate on teaching the Olds class, spend more time doing what I enjoy instead of what I feel I must do. Every job has stuff that isn’t as enjoyable as the stuff you really love to do. It’s time for me to concentrate on moving towards the ‘joy’ and away from the things that aren’t.