Vietnam, 2014
Until last year, I was lucky enough to have a full time job that allowed me to travel.
I've been to some amazing places and met some wonderful people.
I feel lucky. However, I also feel enriched, fulfilled and more broad minded.
Travel does that - I always think that, no matter where you go in the world, people are people - no matter the country, language, colour or weather, people generally want the same things - love, work and play, and to be happy.
Cuba, 2016
I don't have that full time job anymore - which has nothing to do with COVID etc etc, but everything to do with those universal wants and needs - love, work, play and to be happy.
I recently saw a Facebook post of a bus full of tired, unhappy people, with the caption that went something along the lines of 'Go to school, Learn, Get a Job, Get a Mortgage, Retire, Die'. I could really identify with that picture - it's the reason I decided to move away from finance and into doing something that I love, and that uplifts me.
Alaska, 2017
Teaching stitching (other crafts are available :-) ) and encouraging you into a happy and creative life is something that brings me joy. It's also something that aligns to my personal values of authenticity, honesty, enthusiasm and adventure amongst others.
I say 'adventure', because I love trying new things - hence the travel. With the new lifestyle, however, comes a loss of the big budget travel experiences.
I say 'loss', but what does that actually mean?
Oman, 2019
To feel loss at the adventure of travel means thinking about the negatives - something that's really easy to do. We have a 'negativity bias', where 80% of our thoughts can be negative, unless we catch them.
I don't want to focus on the negative. Being grateful and focussing on the positive are proven to make you happier. I'm so grateful for the travelling opportunities I've had - and will have again, one day.
Instead, I am going to travel through Stitch.
Singapore, 2018
So, you may have thought the 'Stitches of the World' series to be arbitrary. It's not. It's my adventure. It's my way of connecting - with you, but also with the other peoples of the world. Through stitch we don't just learn the techniques, but we learn about the culture that inspired the techniques - and quite often the necessity that created them.
We learned that sashiko stitching and kantha stitching were both developed as a way of repairing clothing or recycling them into other garments, as a result of hardship. We imagined the creators of these stitches and garments, as they sat around the fire, in each other's company - perhaps laughing, or telling stories. Sharing.
In the series Stitches Around the World we'll continue to explore people.
As we gather together to learn and to share, we'll imagine other - predominently - women doing exactly the same. We'll realise that there are more similarities between people than differences, and welcome everyone to join us, no matter the country, language, colour or weather.
In the meantime, my adventure continues - it's no longer geographical, but personal and professional. I can't wait to expand my enterprises, and continue sharing creativity and mindfulness, retreats and coaching with you all. Thanks for being there with me on the ride!
Cuba, 2016
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