Learning To Knit, Like a Boss.

I decided somewhere along the way this past summer that I needed to learn a new skill. I have been somewhat weary of extracurricular learning in the past 4 years, because 75% of my job pretty much demands that I do the opposite of what comes naturally to me. Except sitting.

It's what I have to DO that has taken time to learn, grasp, and truly comprehend. Do not mistake me - I like my job. I am grateful for the work, the lifestyle, and the people on my team (though we are all across Western Canada). It was not a line of work I ever saw myself in. Mainly because I didn't know it existed when I was in University. It wasn't until I worked for a paediatric cardiologist after University (and subsequent celebratory European trip with one of my best friends), that I discovered the wonderful world of sales reps. But what was a girl with a BA in Art History to do? That's a long story, but my master plan worked.

4 years later, I landed myself in my current position. I work from home, which I ADORE, (more on that later), but it wasn't easy for me to get to where I am now. Which is.... relatively secure (for now), competent, and satisfied, and happy with my work life balance (because my company, or at the very least my boss, is big on that and I appreciate it).

Is it what I was meant to do with my life? If there is such thing as fate, was this my fate? If I'm to sit and ponder my existence, I'm sure to conclude that I spend far too much time in my condo. But I do I love it here. So.

You definitely have to check yourself into a routine, folks...or you stop showering and answering the door because it's 3 pm and you're still in your fuzzy robe. People, I have literally stopped, dropped and rolled to avoid answering the door because someone did a casual drop by. I realized recently that this issue of mine borders on a phobia (CasualDropbyitis), so the solution is to just shower before 9 am and put actual clothes on and maybe even makeup (but that is pushing it) and be gracious about those who dare drop by on me during working hours without a courtesy text.

I don't think I would be this weird if I worked in an office. But on the other hand, I'd have to work in an office. And according to my friends, most offices aren't great, because there are a good majority of people who just really suck at life in every office. I imagine ALL offices to be like "The Office", which looks equal parts hilarious and like my idea of Hell.

All of this jibberjabba brings me to my long winded point - I learned something NEW. After years of information overload and work related stress, I was just not into learning anything else for a while. My brain was constantly in overdrive mode.

And I realized how much screen time was taking up my life. I needed time away from the screens, and the electronics, and these DISTRACTIONS which are supposed to make our lives easier, but just take over our lives if we let them.

So I chose knitting. Something to keep my hands busy, something to do, feel, and most of all, to create. I miss being creative in my life. So I took some lessons, and bought my first skeins of yarn, which is so beautiful. It's soft and gorgeous. And I picked up thick bamboo needles which feel like they are meant to be in my hands. And I knit a scarf. No pattern, just a basic scarf with beautiful wool.

I am so proud of myself. It's not that it was hard, it's that I finished it. I learned something new that doesn't have to be plugged in. It forces me to put away my iPhone and turn off the computer. I have to focus on the task at hand which is comfortably repetitive, and watching in a wee bit of wonder as I actually formed something that didn't look like a piece of shit.

It's certainly not perfect, but for a first effort I think it's pretty nice, if I do say so myself.

Not bad, right? 

I plan on knitting a few more of these babies before moving on to some of the more complicated stitches, so everyone is getting scarves....until the end of time.

I wanted to die when I screwed something up last night. I had completed about 97% of this scarf and then...I have no idea what I did. All I know is that I had to undo about 10 rows, and then try to get my needle rewound through the loops and IT WAS THE WORST. I had to try it a few times and I seriously broke out in a cold sweat. And then it worked. And all was fine, and I finished it. And I am THRILLED.

What's next?

xh