Wool Goddess

Having a purpose within the crochet community can often feel exhausting; like trying to push water up a hill. Making nice items, selecting beautiful yarn, taking photos, keeping up with social media. Sometimes it gets too much and we can lose our joy in crocheting. Often this is how we feel when we loose our “Cro-Jo” (crochet mojo) and it can become totally disheartening. It is so easy to simply suggest we “find something we love to crochet, that will help!” But often we need to look deeper than the aspect of crocheting.

“There comes a point where we need to stop just pulling people out of the river.

We need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in.”

Desmond Tutu

We all have dreams and aspirations that drive us. These purposes/goals, whether they are career milestones, personal achievements, or self-improvement targets, provide direction and purpose in our lives. However, there are moments when these ambitions feel distant, almost unreachable. This feeling of disheartenment can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that it is a natural part of the journey toward achieving great things.

If you have low mood/depression, you might find that it interferes with different aspects of your life. For example, it might affect your ability to crochet. This can add extra stress to an already difficult experience as your crochet is one of your aids to relaxation.

It may also feel hard to explain your thoughts and feelings to others. You might want to cut yourself off from other people instead; avoiding the crochet community etc This could lead to you feeling isolated and lonely.

If depression is having an impact on your daily life, help is available so please reach out and get some professional support also.

The Reality of Setbacks

First and foremost, it’s crucial to acknowledge that setbacks are a normal part of any pursuit. No meaningful goal comes without its challenges and obstacles. When you encounter these difficulties, it’s easy to feel discouraged and doubt your abilities. However, these moments are not indicators of failure but rather opportunities for growth and learning.

Think of any successful person you admire. Their journey is likely filled with stories of setbacks, failures, and moments of doubt. What sets them apart is not an absence of challenges but their perseverance in the face of them. Embracing this mindset can help reframe your perspective on obstacles, seeing them as temporary hurdles rather than insurmountable barriers.

Reflect and Re-evaluate

When your goals seem out of reach, it’s a good time to pause and reflect.

Are your goals still aligned with your current values and desires?

Sometimes, our ambitions can change over time, and it’s important to reassess whether what you’re striving for still resonates with you.

If your goals are still relevant, consider breaking them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Often, the enormity of a big goal can feel overwhelming. By dividing it into smaller steps, you can create a more tangible and achievable path forward. Celebrate each small victory along the way; these incremental successes can boost your motivation and remind you that progress is being made. You may not have completed a full crochet blanket, but you have done five rows, so celebrate what you have done.

Seek Support and Guidance

Feeling disheartened can be isolating, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Seek out support from friends, family, or mentors who can provide encouragement and perspective. Sometimes, simply sharing your struggles with someone who understands can lighten the emotional burden.

Mentors, in particular, can offer valuable insights and advice. They have likely faced similar challenges and can share strategies that helped them overcome their own obstacles. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or guidance; it’s a sign of strength, not weakness.

Cultivate Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. Cultivating resilience involves developing a mindset that embraces challenges and views them as opportunities for growth. This doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings of disheartenment but rather acknowledging them and choosing to persevere despite them.

Practices such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and positive self-talk can help build resilience. When you encounter a setback, remind yourself of past challenges you’ve overcome and the strengths you demonstrated in those situations. Reflecting on your past resilience can inspire confidence in your ability to navigate current difficulties.

Stay Focused on Your Why

When the road gets tough, reconnecting with your “why” can provide a powerful source of motivation. Why did you set this goal in the first place? What is the deeper purpose or passion driving you?

My goal with crochet was to find an accomplishment to my painful days and to be part of a community.

Your “why” is the emotional fuel that can sustain you through challenging times. It’s what makes the struggle worthwhile and the journey meaningful. By staying focused on your underlying motivations, you can find renewed energy to push forward, even when the path seems uncertain.

Embrace the Journey

Finally, remember that the journey toward your goals is just as important as the destination. Each step, each challenge, and each moment of doubt is a part of your story. Embrace the process, with all its ups and downs, as an integral part of your growth and development.

Feeling disheartened when your goals seem out of reach is a common experience, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent state. By reflecting, seeking support, cultivating resilience, and staying connected to your deeper motivations, you can find the strength to continue moving forward. The road to achieving your dreams may be long and winding, but with perseverance and determination, you will find your way.

Look within to the route cause of losing your “Cro-Jo”

We’re in this together, one stitch at a time.

Hope your day is magical and you notice the small precious moments.

Love & healing hugs