This past weekend we spent Saturday with our talented friend Laurel Englehardt. She taught us how to make fabric vessels from fabric scraps, glue, and plastic wrap. We spent the day gluing and creating. It was fantastic! She made the yellow one as a birthday gift for me, then we later created more ourselves. Who knew that glue and fabric could look so good?
We had a fun, new adventure and enjoyed every absorbed minute. At first it was awkward and a little frustrating as we got used to the process. But isn’t that true for anything new and different? We have to learn, try, fail, try again and eventually get into the swing of doing it. I am so proud of what I created, I felt like a kid coming home from summer camp with a prize to share! And my items are already in use and I love it!
When was the last time you did something completely out of your comfort zone, for no reason other than to learn and have fun? It was exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. I was somehow tired and refreshed, strange but true. We forget that play is important no matter our age. We need to give ourselves the time and freedom to relieve the pressure of our day to day lives. Just a few hours of doing something different, for no reason other than being creative, is a more effective stress than any spa can provide.
Maybe you need to ride your bike, walk the beach, sing at karaoke or try learning something new? Not to further your skills or start a new career, simply to forget through activity and give yourself time to decompress. As humans we are amazingly resilient, yet we also need to vary our life and activities to give ourselves a break, some joy, some good, clean fun.
So get out there and do something fun…anything that is NOT part of your daily routine, life or skill set. Get uncomfortable, love doing it, be exhausted and let time while away as your pressures and responsibilities fade. You will be a better person for it…
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