One Year Later

Once upon a time…

Last year, my little one came into a chaotic and gorgeous world. We had some health issues early on, but he is doing well now. Today is his birthday.

Today is my “birth day” too. I became a mom. While I won’t say that I became someone else, I will say that I stepped more into myself. I am still working out the details. Every day, I get a little more time to see myself. I’m grabbing help and setting boundaries where I can. We had some trauma throughout the year. We had some transitions too. 

Dealing with a loved one going through addiction is a big battle. Some days it isn’t a battle but a big hug. I had to decide if the day needed a fight or compassion or both. Or neither. Some days, I had to ignore the pain and emotion and just be present with the baby. But it never really went away. Have you ever been so tense and stressed that your shoulders won’t relax even when you are sleeping?

In these transitions, I spent more time researching and learning about addiction and other mental health issues. It’s easy for people to say, “just get over it” or “get motivated to do better” to those with mental and emotional health issues. It’s not so simple all the time for those with the issues. It’s also not as simple for those in the direct sideline trying to keep life together all the time with an addict or other-abled person taking up energy.

One of my transitions is happening right now. Saturday was my last day at my cafe job. I will be starting at the North Valley Food Bank as a culinary arts manager. I spent some time looking into non-profits and suddenly the right position came available. In all my research and information overload, I found so many people are struggling with very little resources to aid them. This will be my step one towards something to be determined. I know this will add to my ever-growing puzzle of life’s purpose. It is to be of service somehow. It is to create beauty by recycling something “ugly”. It is to connect people. It is to lead. I know this new piece of the puzzle will propel me into a grand idea to meld all the parts. 

Along with transitioning in my day job, I want to transform my ideas in the Storied Knits realm too. Starting tomorrow, I have a goal to knit one square per day with two ideas in mind. If I do regular yarn squares, I can create scarves or blankets or whatever they turn into to donate. If I am able to get into gear and also do my plarn (yarn I make from plastic grocery bags), I can make mats, pillows, etc for homeless or other causes that need waterproof bedding. Eventually, it would be fun to figure out the sewing machine too.

For now, the website can serve as an aid to gather tools and resources I need. Meaning, a hat sold on the site, can help me ship a donated blanket or buy more yarn. It can also act as a donation spot too. Maybe buy a hat and one gets donated or something to that effect. I am still working out the logistics. However, I am able to create so I want to share. Somehow I will get to the point of supporting those with addiction, mental and emotional events, or something similar. So this is the start. One step in a new direction.

I hope to blog once a week or so to keep updates on donated projects (or screams about dealing with plarn). This can be a learning place if you are creating similar projects or a space to shout-out places in need of donations. Or maybe it will help inspire others to give their time in the way that also leads to their fulfillment. 

Give us a comment on here or social sites. Send a review if you have ever ordered from Storied Knits. Spread the kindness.

Also, check out a discount for the next month when you enter OneYear23 at checkout to celebrate my autumn baby or a year of transition.

**Stay tuned for the next blog about what I have learned in my new job about the non-profit world!**