Making the Most of Your Time for the Things You Love!

Often when people find out that I crochet I hear the following response:  “Oh, I just don’t have time for things like that anymore!”  I am usually tempted to reply, “Well, then you are just TOO BUSY!”  For the record, I do keep that last comment to myself.... most of the time.  I believe it is just being smarter with the time we are given, and I submit that when we get smarter, we have plenty of time to do what is meaningful.  Below I’ve come up with a very simple list of how I find time throughout the day to relax which often means time to crochet.  Feel free to substitute any other “carry along” craft or activity where crochet is mentioned.

Car & Commuter rides - If you finding yourself a passenger on a car trip, whether it is 10 minutes or 10 hours, take your crochet along with you!  I live in a metropolitan area where trips across town can easily take 20 to 30 minutes.  That’s a lot of potential crochet time.  Before my children were born I used to ride a subway to work - 30 to 45 minutes each way, 5 days a week!  I remember being able to complete an afghan easily in a month’s time in those days.  Please note that the emphasis on being a passenger.  Since cell phone operation while driving is becoming illegal in many places, I’m guess that includes crocheting too!

Plane, train & other forms of transportation - See #1 above, but you must plan ahead!  I’ve been know to crochet projects from beginning to end while waiting in airports and traveling on long trips.  It also is a wonderful distraction if you are a bit nervous (or a lot nervous) about flying.  (Be sure that if you carry scissors in your crochet bag that they meet the current TSA regulations.)  I remember being on a long train trip during my college years, one where I forgot to bring a coat or blanket with me (after all, it had been an unusually hot summer!).  I had forgotten how frigid they kept the train cars. I nearly froze, but was able to use the sections of the sweater I was working on to help keep me warm.  That was the last trip where I under-packed!

Doctor’s Offices - Being a mom 5 times over and a caretaker of my 80+ years young mom, I tend to spend a good amount of time in doctor’s offices of every variety.  My crochet bag is my constant companion on these days.  Not only do I get significant work done on my projects, but it is an excellent way to meet people in the waiting room, many of whom need encouragement.  For some reason when someone sees me crocheting I seem approachable and “safe” to talk to.  I have met some wonderful people and I always come away feeling blessed.  While crochet as a business is secondary for me, I’ve lost track of how many business cards I’ve handed out over the past few years for my webpage where all the free instructional videos and patterns live!

Meetings - Over the years I’ve been a part of all types of meetings:  formal, casual, big & small.  There are meetings where I must pay careful attention and take notes, and then there are those other meetings where I just need to listen.  At many of the latter ones I have found that crocheting a simpler project (one not requiring attention to a written or complicated pattern) actually helps me to better focus on the topics being discussed, and in some cases kept me from falling asleep!  Of course do keep in mind that your craft can be a distraction to some so do be careful when to work and when to be self-controlled and leave it in your bag.  One approach is to ask the one leading the meeting (in informal situations) if they mind you working on a project during the meeting.  Often a simple explanation of how it improves your concentration may help alleviate any concerns and help to educate that person on some of the mental benefits of the home arts.

Everywhere else - Where are the other places you go in your day where you can capture wasted minutes?  Waiting for a soccer or baseball game to begin?  Waiting for friends to show for a lunch date?  How about those fun times at the driver’s license bureau?  Or while awaiting your number to come up while serving on jury duty? The possibilities are endless, but you do have to think ahead.  If you do it will take the sting out of being delayed, you’ll feel better, perhaps even more productive, and you may even meet some really nice folks along the way.  Happy crocheting!