I think Rachel identifies something important here.
I think our fantasy selves are not entirely separate from our real selves — they express aspiration, they're a way we explore and experiment with possibility.
The key is to identify what we're hanging on to that belongs only to fantasy, and is occupying physical space that gets in the way of our present real self. We may in due course grow into or move on to what was once only fantasy — but the realm of possibility is huge, so we might in fact evolve into something we haven't even thought of yet, and it's as well to leave space for what we might unexpectedly become.
So here, making space in my life, go two more items — a couple of books I've read that I enjoyed, but I wouldn't need to hold on to them.
They went to a second-hand bookshop just down the hill by the sea.
5 comments:
Some very interesting thoughts there, we do have fantasy selves don't we. On the other hand, I recently made a knitting bag from fabric I've been carrying around in my stash for many many years, and was delighted that I'd used it at last! I got more pleasure from that than I would have had I gone out and bought more fabric for the project!! There's a balance to find that fits us I think - the trick is finding that balance :-)
Yes — and maybe giving oneself some breathing room in one area allows unfinished projects in another area to re-introduce themselves and make friends. In your case, I think the textile work belongs to your real self, not to a fantasy self, and having materials on hand for future projects is appropriate. I love that word — “appropriate” — I think it is a key to making life workable. x
Thank you for posting this.
It’s affected my thinking about the “crafts person” I’d always THOUGHT I’d like to be but (quite happily it turns out) am not.
I’d always choose a good book over crafting any day. Having a dear, enthusiastic, inspiring friend who is so good at crafting is lovely, but now I am (wisely) not sad that I don’t have her enthusiasm/skill/enjoyment re crafts.
Having thought about what I’m good at, I decided to learn Spanish on-line! It’s free and I do have an interested and sensitive ear for foreign languages.
Thanks again, Pen. x
Kay
Ooh! I’ve just noticed the title on one of your books - it’s a Miss Read book!
Now, there’s no way I can let go of my Miss Read books - I did that once and sorely regretted it.
I bought secondhand copies to replace them! These books are the only fiction books that I go back to time and time again because I find it’s like visiting old friends in a sweet, little village in which I would like to live.
(I am aware that Miss Read and I are looking through rose-tinted glasses, but it’s my way of relaxing.)
Kay
Hi Kay!
Yes, I do a certain amount of hand-sewing and darning and cooking and gardening, but I no longer make things that need supplies and resources because they are too space-consuming. I also — and perhaps this is a sad thing — tend to buy less of studio pottery and quirky handmade clothing, preferring to go for what is functional (utilitarian, even) even though it is less beautiful.
Miss Read — you know, I don't think she does see life through rose-coloured glasses. I remember very clearly my own childhood from a country village, and I remember well the reminiscences of my older relatives who all grew up in country villages; I think her representation of the life was fair.
Here's a book you might enjoy if you like Miss Read. It's a little expensive because there are so few copies left now, but it is a really wonderful book. I recommend it:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1871217237/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
"Countryside and Cloister" by Marie T Lichfield. It gives a very vivid insight into her childhood in the English countryside. A similar feel to Miss Read.
Post a Comment