At the start of 2023, I didn’t exactly make a resolution, but I sort of organically came to the conclusion that this was going to be a year of chasing joy. As in, I was actively going to pursue the things that bring me joy to fullest extent possible, without worries about what I “should” be doing, if I was being reasonable or practical, none of that. Just, if it brought me joy, I was going to chase it. I’ve been calling it the Year of Chasing Joy in my head.
And I’ve been doing, I must say, a really good job of doing just that. I’ve still been doing mothering, and household tasks, and writing for church fundraising-type purposes. I’ve been a friend, and a wife, and things like that. But in the rest of my time, which is fairly plentiful, I’ve been chasing joy. I’ve continued on with sewing and embroidery, also re-learned how to knit, and started spinning. And other stuff too.
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And, in my latest ridiculous pursuit, I’ve decided I really want to obtain a couple fleeces (you know, from sheep) and learn how to process them myself before I spin them. I’ve been doing research and networking and I think I’m on my way to getting a local Shetland fleece and a local Finn fleece. I found someone on my local No Buy group who also processes wool and offered to have me over for a demonstration. I’ve been learning online, but of course in person connections are excellent, and I’m definitely taking her up on this offer.
In the past, I also would find rabbit holes and dive down them with research. But I mostly wouldn’t actually complete the circuit and actually do the new thing I was researching. Because that would be silly. That would be too much. That wouldn’t be reasonable or practical. Because there were so many other things I should be doing. But this year, I don’t care about should. I’ve defined my responsibilities that I do not want to flake out on, and the rest of my time is for chasing joy.
And this month, that means texting and emailing sheep farmers, making plans to meet them at the upcoming Fiber Gathering in Edgewood, and learning how to scour, comb, and card my own wool. And also spin wool. And knit wool. And hand sew little quilts. And sew my own clothes. And learn a new form of embroidery with wool. And sew bags. It is ridiculous, and silly, and excessive, and I’ve NEVER had so much fun before. I’ve been so happy, even with my arthritic knees and various psychic wounds that I’ve been carrying around for decades.
So, if you’ve been wondering, this is a Year of Chasing Joy. Don’t worry about me. I’m just doing a thing. And I’m so lucky to be able to do it.
