The end of the year seems to be picking up seed at an alarming rate. Normally around this time of the year I start assessing which of my goals and intentions I have accomplished and start planning for the next year, only I have barely had time to think about it.
At the start of the year, I made a lot of plans and scheduled in a lot of things. I had each month mapped out, what patterns I would release, what tutorials, free patterns, YouTube videos, blog posts. I thought that if I got it all out on paper and could see it I would be better able to get everything done.
But I was super unrealistic, and the amount of work I had scheduled for myself would have kept five of me busy, full time, all year. So, it was an epic failure. But it was a good lesson. At the start of the year, I did a screening test for ADHD, and while I haven’t gotten a proper diagnosis (and at this point don’t intend to), all signs point to it. Suddenly some things I had been wondering about myself began to make sense.
What did happen this year was a journey in self-awareness and self-discovery. I feel like I have finally come to terms with how my brain works and I’m learning to be ok with that. I leave things to the last minute, I procrastinate, I focus too much on one thing, and not enough on others. I’m scattered, my brain rarely turns off, it is always thinking, always imagining, ideas swirling around constantly. Sometimes it’s hard to get started on something, and other times its super easy. And all of it leads to overwhelm and sometimes complete paralysis where I’m incapable of doing anything at all.
And that’s ok.
My brain is sparkly. It is unique and it makes me who I am – a positive thinker, an ideas person, an optimist, curious, creative, loving, kind-hearted, emotional, a great big ball of flower sparkles and sunshine!
I’m learning to lean into my creative flow and let it guide me. I carry around my ‘everything book’ everywhere I go so that when an idea, a thought, a whim, a to-do item pops into my brain I can get it out and on paper straight away. Then when I’m ready I can go back and organise those items into to-do lists that then help me plan out the few things I want to try and achieve each week. It also means things don’t get lost in my brain.
I’m still learning how to combat procrastination, and know it will be a long road and something I might not ever fully get a handle on, but the first step is learning when it rears its ugly head and what steps I can take to not get overwhelmed.
So, does that mean I’m not going to set goals and intentions for next year? Of course I am because I am a list maker and a go getter! I like to think that the impossible is possible, always. But they are very broad, loose goals that leave lots of room for spontaneity and creativity.
Goals and Intentions for 2026
Work on My Book
Open a bricks-and-mortar shop – the biggest goal!
Increase shop sales so I can start paying myself a decent and regular monthly wage
Secret collaboration with a stitchy friend
Release some new patterns and kits
Work on EPP recipe books
Create online classes and guidebooks
Hold in person workshops and stitch events
Keep writing blog posts and making videos for YouTube
Free patterns and Tutorials
As you can see, I have left them at this stage very broad with no real plans for which patterns, or how many, what the classes and workshops will be or when etc. Looking at the list, I already feel like I’m biting off more than I can chew! But I just can’t help it. All these things are like dreams to me, they’re ideas that keep pushing forward saying ‘work on me, work on me’ I can’t silence them, nor do I want to.
I know I won’t get everything done, but when the time is right, somewhere in my brain a big shiny button will be pushed and suddenly I will get to work, and the goal will be achieved. That’s why I write the list, that’s how I get up every day, to follow my passion and pursue my dreams.
Thank you for being on this journey with me. It’s bumpy, a little bit messy, often times chaotic, quite often hard and with no real map to offer guidance. But it’s also beautiful, wondrous and full of heartwarming love and joy.
Happy Stitching,
Miss Leela x
All great things you’ve learnt about yourself Leela. Well done in moving forward with renewed optimism.