A Time to Let Go of Some Things

You know how you feel when you finish a mind-blowing book and you want to tell everyone about it? That's me today, so be warned.

On Sunday evening I closed the cover on The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. It's a huge best-seller, so I'm almost certainly late to the game. But I loved the practical advice in this book: let people do what they are going to do anyway, let them deal with and learn from the consequences of their actions, and rather than trying to offer unsolicited advice/opinions/direction, focus on doing what's right for you. 

It's not rocket science, but I needed the reminder all the same. I am often a person who reads the tenor of the room (not necessarily a bad thing) and then internalizes and frets about how to make everyone feel "better". First off, that's an impossible task. Secondly, it's pretty darned arrogant to think I have the ability (or responsibility) to take on other people's well-being. And thirdly, if I continue to try to take on this task, I'm not living my own life (or feeling my own feelings).

And, because I look at life through a very yarny lens, I immediately began to think of how the Let Them principle applies to knitting and crochet.

I know for certain that I have yarn and patterns that I decided to purchase solely because everyone else in my yarn gang was excited about them. Now, having them in my stash stresses me out. They sap my creative energy. They take up space that could be used for projects I can hardly wait to get started on. I want to love them, but I don't.

Those piles of fiber despair are leaving my home this week. I might try to gift a few things to someone who will love them as they deserve to be loved. I will probably bring much of the yarn to the Stash Cart at Yarnology and trust the Yarn Distribution System to put it into worthy, capable hands. Either way, I'll breathe more easily and be more present for my current projects.

If you are at a point in your life where The Let Them Theory might be helpful, I highly recommend the book to you (and if you're an audio book lover, Mel reads her own words beautifully.) 

And if you feel like adding to (or dusting off) your knitting skills, We've added a few more spots in this Saturday's Class: Knitwear Shaping Basics. The class covers increases, decreases, and short row techniques---all super valuable if you want to make garments (including socks) that fit and look fabulous.

Maybe you are inspired to read the book and take the class. Maybe you are overwhelmed and cannot even imagine taking on a single new thing. In either case, listen to your gut and follow its advice. No one else knows you like you do.

Cheers,

Gaby